Condition of roads dominates discussion at five-county meeting in LaMoure

Thirty-three percent of South Dakota’s major roads and 23 percent of North Dakota’s are in poor or mediocre condition, as was reported by Dakotafire in “Roads are a constant concern” last fall.  The condition of local roads was a major topic of discussion at a recent meeting in LaMoure.

LaMoure County recently hosted the SE County Commissioner Association Meeting at Centerfield in LaMoure.

Attending the meeting were commissioners and elected officials from LaMoure, Dickey, Richland, Sargent, and Ransom counties. Also in attendance were Senator Robinson, and Representatives, Dwight Kiefert and Naomi Muscha from District 24. District 25 was represented by Larry Luick, District 26 by Jim Dotzenrod and Jerry Kelsh, District 28 by Robert Erbele, and District 29 by Terry Wanzek and Craig Headland.

Roads were the largest item of concern. Some had suggested that the fines for overweight trucks go to the county to fix the roads. It was pointed out that the constitution already says that all fines are to go to the schools. Someone else suggested that the fines be increased as a way of deterring overloaded trucks. This was put in place so that an entity cannot use fines as a cash cow.

The local legislators all were in agreement that the counties in the east need to fix their roads as well as the counties in the west. They all said they would work hard to get what they can.