HURON –– Two candidates are vying for one open seat on the Huron City Commission in Tuesday’s municipal election.

The Plainsman asked incumbent Drew Weinreis and challenger Rhonda Kludt the same questions and offer their answers for your review:

Huron Plainsman: Tell voters a bit about yourself and what makes you a qualified candidate for the Huron City Commission.

Drew Weinreis: I’m Drew Weinreis, and I’ve had the honor of serving as a Huron City Commissioner for the past four years. I currently oversee Public Safety, working with our Police, Fire, and Building & Code departments, and previously, I served as Public Works Commissioner. Outside of the commission, I’ve been with Dakotaland Federal Credit Union for 13 years, where I serve as the Vice President of Member Services. I also have the privilege to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Center for Independence, as well as a Chamber Ambassador.

Rhonda Kludt: I grew up in Ft. Pierre and moved to Huron with my husband, Doug, forty years ago. He is a Huron native as were his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. We have two children, Rachel (Levi) Kary and their two sons, Leo and Connor, who live in Huron and Thomas Kludt (Anna Friemoth) who lives in Brooklyn, New York. I have degrees in Elementary and Early Childhood Development from Black Hills State University and taught at St. Martin School in Huron for 19 years. For twenty years, I served as the Executive Director of the United Way Heartland Region. In that role I learned a great deal about the non-profit agencies and other city, county and state organizations that serve so many in our community. Through that work, I developed relationships that exist today.

During my tenure with the United Way, I worked diligently to connect community resources to community needs by partnering with various like-minded individuals and groups as we transitioned into a Community Impact United Way. We implemented programs in Huron that enhance the quality of life for residents such as the supplemental food backpack program, the Preschool Partnership, the 211 Helpline Center, Girls on the Run, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Delta Dental Bus, quarterly community partnership meetings, Day of Caring and Day of Action as well as restructuring the Huron Youth Leadership Council. These were all implemented by the United Way Boards while I was the Executive Director. I know how to work with others and have found that collaboration and listening to others is the most successful way to achieve results. My commitment to the community of Huron has been my passion since moving here. As a retiree, I have ample time to devote to the job and want to give back to this community that has been so good to me and my family.

Last year’s Dakota Avenue construction saw struggles for multiple downtown area businesses, with many saying that they were not well-enough informed about the impact of the construction on traffic to their business. While there were dozens of meetings between public informational meetings and advertised work sessions during city commission meetings, is there something that may have been missed in communicating with our local business owners? Can more be done for the business-heavy portion of the project from 9th to 21st that will begin in 2026 to help them prepare?

RK: The most important thing we can do as we move into the next phase of this project is seek advice and ideas from those who were impacted by the construction last year. They are the experts in this and were creative in the ways they promoted their businesses despite the obstacles they faced. The wisdom they gained and the lessons learned will be invaluable to the businesses from 9th to 21st Street. They lived and breathed the construction day in and day out.

Although there were numerous meetings and work sessions addressing the construction project, we can always do more. The Department of Transportation is available to answer questions and make information available via the newspaper, the radio, facebook pages, websites and the Huron Chamber marquees. One of the best resources to receive timely information regarding the construction project is available through SDDOT text alerts. Simply text HURON37 to 605-566-4041 to receive updates regarding the project.

The Huron Rising 2.0 Downtown Development Committee is working with our downtown businesses on projects and programs that are bringing the downtown/retail community together. They are energized and are creating a wave of positive enthusiasm as they find solutions to concerns. They will be another valuable resource as we move into the future phases of the construction. The city could also host periodic early morning coffee chats where business owners and private citizens along the route can come together to support one another and receive updates regarding progress. This would not only keep everyone informed but would also provide an opportunity for collaboration and sharing of ideas.

DW: We knew the Dakota Avenue project would be disruptive, but it’s clear that despite our efforts, some businesses still felt caught off guard. While we held public meetings and work sessions, broad communication efforts don’t always reach everyone the same way. For the next phase from 9th to 21st, we need to take a more direct approach making sure each business is personally contacted and has a clear understanding of the project timeline, detours, and access plans. Whether that means more one-on-one conversations, direct mailings, or business-specific meetings, we need to ensure business owners feel heard and prepared. It’s not just about keeping them informed it’s about working with them to minimize the impact.

A key to encouraging growth in any community is creating a community that is welcoming and encouraging to young families. Whether it be employment opportunities, housing, recreational availability, childcare, or something else, what do you see as the PRIMARY thing Huron could work on to better that atmosphere of encouragement to young families?

DW: One of the biggest things we need to focus on is housing. Without affordable and available housing, it’s tough to attract and retain young families, even if job opportunities are there. Huron has a strong economy and great employers, but people need places to live that fit their needs and budgets. Beyond that, we need to keep improving recreation opportunities parks, trails, and family-friendly activities all help make Huron a more attractive place to raise a family. It’s not just about bringing families here it’s about making them want to stay.

RK: Employment opportunities, affordable housing, recreational activities, quality childcare, education and healthcare all contribute to the quality of life in a community. Many new residents in Huron are younger families moving to, or returning to Huron to live, work and raise their families. Businesses, professional services, schools, healthcare facilities as well the manufacturing industries have in their employ people who were born and raised in Huron.

They are returning to their home town because they want the same quality of life for their children they experienced. Some have family members living in Huron who are available to assist with childcare, however that is not the case for everyone. I worked with the GHDC and the Chamber to create a Childcare Directory for the Chamber/GHDC website so families moving to Huron could have a resource to seek out childcare options. Finding quality childcare for young families is a primary concern as they seek trusted people to care for their most valuable resource-their children. The direct impact quality childcare has on the workforce is evident. The statement from Mike Bockorny, CEO of the Economic Development Professionals of South Dakota sums it up well: “Child care is not just a family issue. It is a business development issue. The ability of South Dakota families to access quality, affordable child care directly impacts workforce participation, economic productivity and long-term growth. I see firsthand the challenges businesses face in attracting and retaining workers due to the child care crisis.”

As a community, we must come together to find ways to make quality childcare available and affordable to our families and address this critical issue. Working with employers, GHDC, the city and childcare providers to solve this issue is a primary focus for me as the chairperson of the Huron Rising 2.0 Childcare committee. I am currently working with others on grant opportunities to enhance childcare in Huron. A model called Tri-Share, developed in Michigan, is being piloted in Rapid City. It is a model we could emulate.

Our community is on a positive path as we currently have a strong contingent of young families calling Huron home. They are serving on civic and non-profit boards, coaching their children’s activities and engaged in their faith communities. The Huron Connect group has developed fun and innovative activities such as the recent Burger Battle to bring the community together. The Chamber reaches out to new businesses and new residents inviting them to be involved. Employers are encouraging new staff to participate in programs such as Leadership Huron, Kiwanis, Lions, Sertoma and other civic organizations. These all serve as ways to welcome newcomers into our community.

One of the unique aspects of the Huron community in the state is the diversity of backgrounds in the community, but how do we involve members of our prominent Latin and Karen communities in items of city importance, beyond coming before the board for variance requests?

RK: During the Huron Rising sessions, our committee met with the Karen and Hispanic leaders in our community. We all want the same things - good schools, opportunities to be financially successful, affordable housing, and a safe and vibrant community with access to quality healthcare. Our Huron Rising committee realized the importance of having representation that resembles our community’s demographics and many are currently serving on various Huron Rising committees. The Karen and Hispanic citizens are working in the medical profession, banking and real estate industries, law enforcement and education field as well as the industrial and manufacturing field and other professions. As a result, our diverse population is becoming more involved. A number of boards and committees already have representation from the Karen and Hispanic communities. I am convinced we will continue to see an increase in this trend. We must continue to invite all our residents to participate, share their voice and work together. We need to seek input and listen to the ideas of the people who make our community such a well rounded and beautiful city. As Amy Poehler said, “Other people and other people’s ideas are often better than your own.”

DW: I have the privilege in my job at Dakotaland to meet and work with many individuals from the Latin and Karen communities, and through those experiences, I have learned a lot about their challenges and the ways that we can better serve them. One of the biggest things that we need to focus on is improving communication whether that’s through better education on how city government works or by making sure we have more interpreters and services available at the city level. We also need to be intentional about outreach and representation. Encouraging more diverse participation in city boards and committees to ensure we have more voices at the table when decisions are being made. Communication is another key piece. Language barriers can make it harder for some residents to engage with city government, so we should continue expanding translation and outreach efforts. Partnering with local organizations can also help bridge the gap and encourage greater involvement beyond just when issues arise.

Please share one opportunity that you are excited to see Huron move toward in the next five years.

DW: One opportunity I’m really excited about over the next five years is the growth and expansion of the South Dakota State Fair. The fair is a major contributor to Huron’s success, bringing in visitors, boosting local businesses, and showcasing everything that our community has to offer. From the new DEX Building to the new Shed to the Nordby Exhibit Hall these new buildings give our community lots of opportunities. We have a real chance to make the fairgrounds an even bigger asset, not just for one week a year but year-round events and activities. We need to take full advantage of these opportunities and make sure we’re supporting growth that benefits both the fair and the entire community. Whether it’s through attracting more events improving the infrastructure, or finding new ways to utilize the space, there’s a lot of potential and I’m excited to see where it takes us.

RK: When the Huron Community Foundation hosted Huron Rising 1.0 in 2018, two priorities were identified - Downtown Development and Housing. The Huron Community Foundation, the City of Huron, GHDC and private individuals came together to fund the Downtown Façade Grant, establish the Housing Rehab Specialist with Huron Housing Authority and create the residential development in Southtown. As a result of this and other major developments, Huron was awarded the COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR award in 2019. Public-private partnerships that led to innovations in economic development and progress and growth attributed to the accomplishments in 2018-2019 in Huron.

The Huron Rising 2.0 vision-listening sessions identified seven priorities (cultural integration, code enforcement/beautification, childcare, downtown development, education, housing and healthcare) and established community committees to address those concerns. The committees are working diligently and making dramatic strides in each area. With collaborative efforts between the City of Huron, the Huron Community Foundation, the Chamber, GHDC and community members, I am optimistic Huron will once again accomplish things that make our community the very best place to call home. I am excited to see the progress and opportunities developing from the Huron Rising 2.0 committees.

Huron voters are encouraged to head to the polls on Tuesday, April 8, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Huron Arena to cast their vote in the City Commission election.

Absentee ballots are accepted through 5 p.m. on Monday at the city’s finance office.