The race for City Council is on. Here is questionnaire sent to those running to help you understand the candidates.

Who are you in your daily life?

In my daily life, I’m a husband and a father of four, Jamison, Gibson, Shiann, and Joy. My family is my foundation. We spend a lot of time outdoors together, including hiking, biking, skiing, boating, and camping. Faith is also a big part of my life and plays a key role in how I lead, serve, and make decisions.

Professionally, I’m a chiropractor and a business owner. I spend my time helping people improve their health, leading teams, and building systems that serve others well. Everything I do, both personally and professionally, comes back to serving people and strengthening our community.

What prompted you to run for city council in the first place?

I was prompted to run because I care deeply about the future of Rapid City and want to ensure it remains a family first community. When you ask people why they move here, most will say it is because it is a great place to raise a family. I want to protect that and make it even better for the next generation.

Through my work, my relationships, and my involvement in the community, I have seen both the strengths of our city and areas where we can improve. I felt called to step up, bring a practical and level headed approach, and be part of building solutions rather than just talking about challenges.

How have you contributed to the local community?

I have been involved in the community in a number of ways over the years. Early on, I was part of the Jaycees, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassador program. I have served in multiple roles at Blessed Sacrament Church and spent nearly 10 years on the board of the Cornerstone Rescue Mission.

Through my clinic and businesses, I have also had the opportunity to help people improve their health, create jobs, and support families. My focus has always been on serving others and contributing in a meaningful way.

What do you consider to be the pillars of your campaign?

The pillars of my campaign are safety, economic growth, infrastructure, and parks and recreation. Along with that, I believe in responsible growth, accountability, and practical solutions. These are the foundational elements that help ensure Rapid City remains strong, vibrant, and a great place to raise a family.

How do you feel about the city’s role regarding issues between Summer Nights and downtown businesses? Would you have done anything differently?

I believe the city’s role is to help facilitate collaboration, not pick winners and losers.

Overall, I think this situation was handled well. The key to keeping Summer Nights downtown was making sure one way streets stayed open and traffic continued to flow. There will always be some tension between events and surrounding businesses, but I believe the city put in the time to balance both sides and reached a solid outcome.

Moving forward, continued communication and proactive planning will be important to keep things aligned and working well for everyone.

What are your feelings on the use of fiscal tools like TIFs to attract private investment within Rapid City? What would be your approach?

I believe TIFs are one of the few tools the city has to help stimulate economic growth, and when used correctly, they can be very effective.

I look at TIFs favorably when they support workforce or low income housing, contribute to long term economic growth, and increase the city’s sales tax base.

If a project expands the tax base, it helps support infrastructure and benefits the entire community. My approach is to ensure TIFs are used responsibly, with transparency and a clear long term return for Rapid City. They should be a strategic tool, not the default.

What is a public investment you feel Rapid City could benefit from?

Infrastructure is one of the most important areas, including roads, traffic flow, and planning for future growth. As Rapid City continues to expand, we need to stay ahead of congestion and accessibility challenges.

At the same time, investing in parks and community spaces is just as important. These are the places where families gather, and they play a big role in quality of life and what makes our city special.

How would you evaluate whether a project or policy is worth implementing (e.g., backyard hens)?

Every policy decision comes down to balance, what is best for the individual and what is best for the community as a whole.

I look at a few key things. Does it serve the broader community? Are there unintended consequences? Is it practical and enforceable? Does it align with the long term vision of the city?

With something like backyard hens, I think the city did a good job. They looked at past challenges and created a thoughtful ordinance with clear guidelines. It is a strong example of how public input and planning can come together to create a solution that works for everyone.