Before every local election, the True Dakotan publishes a candidate forum to help educate voters about candidates before they head to the polls.
To prepare for the City of Wessington Springs election on April 8, 2025 the newspaper asked city council candidates seven questions.
Their responses are published below.
Editor’s note: The True Dakotan does not edit candidate responses, they are published as written and submitted by each candidate.
City of WS, WARD 2, One year term
Layton Schimke
1. What motivates you to want to become a city council member?
Well, it’s always been a driving point for me, I was raised to do a job and do it right.
2. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve on city council ?
I have been on the Council for a few years now and I have a depth of knowledge on how it all works. I’m also someone who is direct, honest, and avoids unnecessary fluff kind of a no-nonsense type of guy.
3. In what city or community activities have you been involved?
I’m an active member of the Wessington Spring Fire department for a little over 9 years now. As for community, I’m huge on buying locally, Spending Local and helping locally anytime.
4. How much time will you/can you give to board service?
I will dedicate as much time as it takes to do the Job right. I do work a full-time job so as I’m passing through town during the day and am able to check in on things. I openly give my cell Number out 605-999-7141 people can reach me at all hours.
5. What do you see as the current challenges facing the city/community?
Infrastructure (and funding to pay for it) - Water lines – Streets, But the big problem is decreasing populations and increasing cost
6. What are two - three strengths of which the community can be proud?
Honestly, it’s the People, We come together when needed.
Fire Department
Library
Baseball Field
7. What are three needs that must be priorities for the city to address?
We need to put the town first and leave the personal agendas behind.
We need to focus on the longevity of Wessington Springs, Water lines, Street Businesses, Parks and Fields.
Keeping our School and Hospital going.
Beth Magistro
1. What motivates you to want to become a city council member?
I feel the need to help the community stay better informed on what is going on. By being on the council I will have better insight into the issues that concern everyone.
2. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve on city council ?
I served on the town council for my home town in New York. It was a small bedroom community of less than five hundred residents. We had many farmers as well as retired and family residents. I worked closely with many of them when it came to concerns about road maintenance as well as the local parks.
3. In what city or community activities have you been involved?
Locally I have joined SCOTA, regularly attend SACC, and am a member of our local American Legion where I help with color guard as well as our monthly pancake breakfast. I like to stay informed with the local politics from all interests.
Where I previously lived I was a volunteer fire fighter for the NYS department of Corrections, was an active member of the local Moose and Elks lodge of which I am still a member.
4. How much time will you/can you give to board service?
Being retired I am focused on serving the city as often as possible in whatever area I am best needed.
5. What do you see as the current challenges facing the city/community?
Our communication with the residents as it pertains to the goals for infer structures repairs and maintenance.
6. What are two - three strengths of which the community can be proud?
Our residents, our heritage, and the amazing resources we have such as Shakespeare Gardens, our community pool and ball field, our wonderful golf course, campgrounds and businesses
7. What are three needs that must be priorities for the city to address?
Most definitely our infrastructure, communication with the residents and finding ways to bring more visitors to our amazing city.
City of WS, WARD 2, Two year term
Johnathan Jooste
1. What motivates you to want to become a city council member?
I think that I can serve the town well, i care about the town and the community and would like to make a positive difference.
2. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve on city council ?
Working in the farming industry have given me not only practical but also technical experience in a large variety of fields including working with people.
3. In what city or community activities have you been involved?
I attend most charity events, I support the fireman’s ball, the local bull bash pheasants forever banquet, also volunteered time at the country club, also volunteered at the fire department to hopefully become a volunteer firefighter to serve the community.
4. How much time will you/can you give to board service?
The time needed to fulfill my duties as councilman, And to provide a good service to the community.
5. What do you see as the current challenges facing the city/community?
The first concern would be the lack of good clean drinking water, I do know the problem is being attended to but also acknowledge that, that it is a very time consuming process to put in place. Secondly the roads I feel is a issue that also need addressed.
6. What are two - three strengths of which the community can be proud?
Wessington Springs is a vibrant community with excellent health care facilities such as hospital, clinic . As well as dental and retirement home, a fabulous golf course, good restaurants gas stations, not to forget incredible law enforcement and fire department and multiple other businesses.
7. What are three needs that must be priorities for the city to address?
As previously stated water is of utmost importance as well as the roads and basic maintenance of infrastructure within the town is crucial for the town of Wessington Springs to function properly and grow for a chance of a decent future.
Cherie Maxwell
1. What motivates you to want to become a city council member?
I aim to bring common sense and fiscal responsibility to our city council. I strongly believe in maintaining a balanced budget and avoiding credit-based purchases during tight financial times. Currently, the City of Wessington Springs carries numerous equipment loans with long-term commitments. Regular, monthly reviews of the city’s budget and loan obligations would not only provide transparency but also allow residents to offer input on financial decisions.
2. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve on city council ?
I have a strong sense of responsibility and a clear vision for driving positive change in Wessington Springs. Since 2012, I have worked at Mountain LTD, developing expertise in project management and leadership. My professional experience includes balancing budgets and addressing critical infrastructure concerns. In my role with Lumen in Colorado, I’ve honed skills in negotiation, construction plan review, bid preparation, and project evaluation. These responsibilities have prepared me to navigate the challenges of city government effectively. My dedication to our community, combined with my professional background, equips me to contribute valuable insights and informed decision-making to the city council.
3. In what city or community activities have you been involved?
I actively attend and support many local activities, often assisting behind the scenes.
4. How much time will you/can you give to board service?
I work 40 hours a week from home, which allows me to be available during evenings and weekends for city council duties.
5. What do you see as the current challenges facing the city/community?
1. Low City Council Meeting Attendance Regular city council meetings see limited resident participation. Encouraging community involvement through surveys, town halls, and advisory committees could foster trust and ensure diverse perspectives are heard.
2. Nepotism in City Leadership Having multiple family members in decision-making roles raises concerns about fairness and accountability within city government.
3. Infrastructure Issues and Resource Allocation Many city streets and sidewalks are in disrepair, compounded by questionable spending on equipment. Reduced city hall hours and insufficient focus on community needs hinder progress.
6. What are two - three strengths of which the community can be proud?
1. A school system and sports programs that are passionately supported by the entire community.
2. An entrepreneurial spirit that encourages new business development, fostering community growth.
7. What are three needs that must be priorities for the city to address?
1. Repairing nonfunctional fire hydrants to ensure public safety.
2. Maintaining cleanliness and stocking supplies in public facilities, such as the field house, city park restrooms, and ballpark restrooms.
3. Improving and maintaining airport restrooms and the greeting office to make a positive impression on visitors.
City of WS, WARD 3, Two year term
Eva Voorhees
1. What motivates you to want to become a city council member?
My motivation is to do my best for all citizens young to elderly.I want to be their voice to the city council.And work for all.
2. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve on city council ?
I have been on the council 1 year I just got my feet wet. I do not go over my family budget I want to keep the city budget balanced.
3. In what city or community activities have you been involved?
In Sioux Falls I ran for City Council and was involved with PTA. In Mitchell I ran for School Board and I had been a Wish Granter for over 7 years.
4. How much time will you/can you give to board service?
City Council has been my priority for the last year and if reelected I continue to make it my priority. I am retired so I can be involved.
5. What do you see as the current challenges facing the city/community?
Well the water is everyone’s concern and also mine.That is one reason I want to be reelected so I can see it from start to finish.Also our roads that we continue to fix them.Also replace the cast iron piping.
6. What are two - three strengths of which the community can be proud?
We have Beautiful Parks and Camping.Also our History Museums,Historical buildings and Beautiful Gardens.
7. What are three needs that must be priorities for the city to address?
Water Roads and Spending.
Shawn Tobin
1. What motivates you to want to become a city council member?
There are many things that I think the city of Wessington Springs can do better at. Business recruitment, population retention and growth, and economic development and stability just to name a few. Betterment of the town is my motivation to serve on the city council.
2. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve on city council ?
I do not feel I have any special skills or experiences that the rest of the candidates do not have, as they both have served on the council previously. I do have a willingness to learn, and look at at multiple options. I bring a fresh perspective to the table.
3. In what city or community activities have you been involved?
Currently I serve on the board of directors, and as a secretary, of the Great Plains Texas Longhorn Association, of which I am also a lifetime member. I chair the World Qualifying Shows commitee and chair the Bull Showcase commitee for that organization. I am also a member of the Wessington Springs Foothills Rodeo commitee. I am a lifetime member of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.
4. How much time will you/can you give to board service?
As much time as it takes.
5. What do you see as the current challenges facing the city/community?
One, this community has an aging infrastructure which is in dire needs of updating. Two, a population that is growing older, with very little emphasis on retaining the younger people in town, or recruitment of new residents, to replace residents lost. Three, a lack of shopping options to keep area residents doing business in this town. Unfortunately, it is too easy to get online, order what you need, and have it shipped directly to you. That takes away a majority of a city’s operating revenue. In turn, the city must try to adapt new revenue sources. Four, over expenditures need to be stopped.
6. What are two - three strengths of which the community can be proud?
A sense of community pride, and support of the school athletes.
7. What are three needs that must be priorities for the city to address?
Economic development, population development and retention, and infrastructure replacement.
Kim Christensen
1. What motivates you to want to become a city council member?
We need experience back on the council. I have years serving in that position..
2. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve on city council ?
Having been elected to that position many times. I have always tried to stay with a balanced budget and listen to the people I represent including people from wards 1 and 2 and try to better our city and keep our infrastructure in the best shape we can without breaking the bank.
3. In what city or community activities have you been involved?
I was a member of the Wess.Spings Fire Dept. For many years Am also a member of the Son’s of the American Legion Post#14 Member of American Legion RidersPost#14.
4. How much time will you/can you give to board service?
Because I am retired I can be available most time I am needed. When I served as councilman before I always made time to make the rounds to check with department heads to listen to there needs and discuss what needed to be done and how to accomplish that need.
5. What do you see as the current challenges facing the city/community?
Our infrastructure and balance the budget. When Rural water comes we will need a plan because we will still have the expense of maintaining our water lines and hydrants. We have replaced a lot of cast iron pipe but we still have some to do plus we have some fire hydrant that need replacing. Hydrant that do not work are not a good thing if you have a fire in that block and I think the fire department would agree.
6. What are two - three strengths of which the community can be proud?
We have a nice park, rodeo grounds, swimming pool, museum, library, hospital Shakespeare garden, for a small town we have a lot to be proud of.
7. What are three needs that must be priorities for the city to address?
Infrastructure, budget, making the city safe and affordable to all.
