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 balance a career in healthcare, nonprofit leadership, and community service. Professionally, I am a speech-language pathologist and have owned and operated my small private practice since 2011. Last summer, I stepped in to serve as the Interim Executive Director of the Minneluzahan Senior Center after recognizing the organization needed experienced leadership. In less than a year, we’ve introduced a new business model, strengthened financial operations, and expanded the center’s role as a hub that uplifts the community and connects nonprofits.

My days are full but purposeful. I spend mornings and afternoons at the senior center, then head to my practice in the evenings. Beyond my professional work, I’ve always been deeply engaged in the community. I serve on several boards, including the Humane Society, AAUW, South Dakota Hisorical Foundation Society and Friends of Rapid City Parks.

I also make it a priority to stay grounded. I value time with my family, and I’m intentional about maintaining my health by getting outdoors and enjoying all that our area has to offer. My work as a speech-language pathologist has reinforced for me that life is precious, and that perspective shapes how I approach each day: with balance, purpose, and a commitment to making a positive impact.

What prompted you to run for city council in the first place? I’m no stranger to the Common Council. I previously served two terms: six years including four years in leadership roles and twice as Council President. That experience showed me what effective, collaborative local government can look like.

Over the past three years, I’ve seen a shift away from that approach. The open, transparent communication and steady leadership that once defined City Hall have changed. Too often, decisions feel like they’re made without listening, without collaboration, and without compromise. We’ve seen the Hope Center closed without a clear plan, bus stops and shelters removed, Vision Funds redirected without voter input, and costly multi-million dollar projects forced forward despite strong public concern. At the same time, residents are facing rising costs while services are declining. It doesn’t have to be this way.

I decided to run because I believe it’s time to bring authentic, responsible governance back to City Hall. I know how to get things done and how to bring people together around practical, people-centered solutions. During my time on the council, we worked collaboratively to address challenges: creating Journey On to respond to homelessness, bringing in a grant writer to expand resources, and launching the Youth City Council to engage the next generation. That’s the kind of leadership I want to restore.

How have you worked in the past to contribute to the local community? Long before I was elected in 2017, I believed that being part of a community means showing up and leading by example. I was actively involved with organizations like the PTA, the MS Society, the Humane Society, and the Rapid City Public Library-always looking for ways to contribute and support others. Through that work, people came to know me as someone who is genuinely passionate about this community and willing to step in wherever help is needed.

That foundation of service is what led to my first election, and it’s something I’ve carried with me ever since. Even after stepping off the council in 2023, I never stopped doing the work. Community involvement isn’t something I turn on or off. It’s simply who I am.

What do you consider to be the pillars of your campaign? The pillars of my campaign are grounded in listening to residents and focusing on what matters most in their daily lives. I call it the IDEAS framework: Infrastructure, Development, Education, Accessibility, and Social Spaces.

First, infrastructure that works for growing neighborhoods. Rapid City needs to stay ahead of growth by investing in roads, utilities, and critical public services that support families now and into the future. That includes ensuring our first responders and essential services have the resources they need.

Second, responsible development. Growth is a positive sign, but it must be managed thoughtfully. I support development that strengthens our economy while protecting neighborhoods and preserving the quality of life that makes Rapid City home.

Third, educational partnerships. A strong community supports learning at every stage of life. I believe in working with schools, community programs, and local organizations to expand opportunities that benefit both families and our workforce.

Fourth, accessibility and responsive government. City government should be transparent and easy to engage with. Residents deserve clear communication, access to services, and a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives.

Finally, social spaces that strengthen community. Parks, recreation areas, and gathering spaces are essential to bringing people together and supporting families, seniors and neighborhoods across Rapid City.

Together, these pillars reflect a practical, people-centered approach to building a stronger community.

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 in situations like this is to help facilitate solutions that work for everyone- supporting community events like Summer Nights while also respecting the needs of downtown businesses. It shouldn’t be an either-or conversation. With the right approach, we can find compromises to make both successful.

In my recent role at Minneluzahan, I tried to be part of that solution. I reached out to the Summer Nights board last fall and proposed an alternative location at the Minneluzahan Senior Center along New York Street. The idea was to create a space that was still central and accessible, but without shutting down a major arterial road. The location offered ample parking, a single-level layout, and access to the bike path. It also opened the door for more inclusive, community-oriented activities: everything from live music and vendor spaces to family-friendly areas near the Club for Boys, a skatepark for older kids, and even opportunities to highlight nearby assets like the Bandshell and Journey Museum. It could have provided flexibility with indoor options in case of bad weather.

Ultimately, that idea wasn’t pursued, but I think it reflects an important mindset. These kinds of challenges require creativity, collaboration, and a willingness to think differently. If elected, I would continue to approach issues like this by bringing people together, exploring new ideas, and working toward solutions that benefit the entire community.

What are your feelings on the use of fiscal tools (like TIFs) to attract private investments within Rapid City? What would be your approach to using these tools? Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is an important tool, but it shouldn’t be the only tool and it shouldn’t be overused. When applied thoughtfully, TIFs can help spur development in areas that might not otherwise see investment. But when they become the default approach, or are applied inconsistently, it raises concerns about fairness, transparency, and long-term value to the community.

My concern is that we’ve relied too heavily on TIFs and, at times, seem to favor a small group of developers rather than creating a level playing field for new and emerging businesses. That’s not the kind of environment that encourages broad, sustainable economic growth.

My approach would be to use TIFs more strategically and with clear criteria. They should be reserved for projects that demonstrate a true public benefit-such as revitalizing underdeveloped areas, supporting workforce housing, or addressing infrastructure gaps and only when there’s a clear need for public participation to make the project viable. I also believe in stronger oversight, greater transparency, and ensuring that all developers have fair access to opportunities.

At the same time, we should be expanding our economic development toolbox like supporting small businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and exploring other incentives that promote long-term, diversified growth. TIFs have a role, but they should be one part of a balanced and responsible approach.

What is a public investment you feel Rapid City could benefit from? (such as roads, parks, public transit, etc.) A public investment Rapid City would benefit from is a coordinated approach guided by my IDEAS framework: Infrastructure, Development, Education, Accessibility, and Social Spaces.

That means investing in roads, utilities, and public transit to keep pace with growth, while ensuring accessibility through better connectivity for all residents. It also means aligning development with infrastructure, supporting educational partnerships that strengthen our workforce, and continuing to invest in parks and community spaces that bring people together.

The biggest impact comes from connecting these priorities: making thoughtful, balanced investments that support both growth and quality of life.

A lot of current attention is on Citizens’ desire to own hens, and attempts to bring this policy to the council via Alderman Tamang. If you were made to make a decision on this, or another proposal, how would you evaluate whether or not a project or policy is worth implementing? When evaluating any proposal, whether it’s urban hens or a larger policy issue, I believe decisions should be grounded in research, community input, and practical impact. It’s important to look at the facts, understand who is affected, and ensure concerns are thoughtfully addressed.

I’ve been a strong supporter of allowing urban hens, dating back to when my former wardmate Darla Drew first brought the idea forward. There’s a clear difference between hens and roosters, and this group has done the work by bringing forward research, addressing concerns, and engaging the community in a responsible way. In my role on the Humane Society board, we’ve also made sure support systems are in place if needed.

At the end of the day, if residents want to have hens and it can be done responsibly, I believe we should allow it. Decisions shouldn’t be driven by fear, but by facts, preparation, and what makes sense for the community.

If you have anything else you would like to add, please feel free. 

While this questionnaire covers many important topics, there are a few additional areas that I believe are essential to maintaining and improving quality of life in Rapid City.

Public safety and emergency response must keep pace with growth by ensuring our police, fire, and emergency services have the staffing, infrastructure, and community trust needed to serve effectively. At the same time, we need to prioritize maintaining the infrastructure we already have. Taking care of existing roads and utilities is not only fiscally responsible, it’s critical to keeping our neighborhoods strong.

Equally important is strengthening community connectivity and engagement. Residents want to be heard and involved in decisions that affect their daily lives. Improving communication, increasing transparency, and creating more opportunities for meaningful input builds trust and leads to better outcomes.

As we grow, preserving the character of our community also matters. Thoughtful planning around neighborhoods, green space, and development helps ensure we don’t lose what makes Rapid City special.

Finally, our nonprofit and volunteer networks play a vital role in supporting everything from seniors to youth programs. Strengthening those partnerships allows us to meet community needs more effectively.

These issues may not always make headlines, but they are foundational to building a strong, sustainable, and connected community for the future.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura