STURGIS, S.D. – Six candidates running for two vacant spots on the Sturgis City Council participated in a meet the candidates forum Tuesday night.
Around 30 people attended the forum, which featured a question and answer session with the candidates.
Candidates include Alex Usera and Ryan Klima running for a spot in Ward 1 and Richelle Bruch, David Murtha, Mark Chaplin and Jennessa Dempsey running for Ward 3.
The candidates were asked questions on important topics right now in Sturgis, including a future city administrator, the future of the fairgrounds property, the Marcotte Property, encouraging business, the 10-year comprehensive plan and transparency of city government.
The fairgrounds property garnered a lot of discussion among the candidates, with all them hoping to see the property retain some recreational usage. The previous city administration had been contemplating selling a portion of the property to the Meade 46-1 School District for possible future growth. The council will be discussing that plan next month.
The issue of transparency was also a hot topic, with candidates in agreement of keeping the public informed about their work and promising to remain open to the public to share concerns and questions.
The candidates wrapped up the forum by answering the question of why the public should vote for them. Their answers varied from wanting to move Sturgis forward to previous council experience to wanting to give more to the community.
Acting Mayor Kevin Forrester also participated in the forum. He is the only candidate running for the Mayoral position which he acquired following the resignation of Angela Wilkerson in October.
The special election is set for January 7th.
