RAPID CITY, SD — Hot off the heels of yesterday’s coverage of the Board of Education’s June 3rd election, we move from those shaping the education of our youth to those most directly and locally involved in the daily lives of everyone in Rapid City. The importance of elections such as this cannot and should not be understated, and though they oftentimes do not receive the level of cultural prestige as a state or national election, the municipal vote occurring on the same day as the Board vote will doubtless be essential in shaping the future of our city.
In line with prior coverage, I went to each of the candidates in order to get their viewpoints and beliefs, so that you can go into the polls not only with a better understanding of them as politicians but as people. The positions on the council are Ward 1 (Stephen Tamang, Lawrence “Larry” Adams, No Incumbent) Ward 4 (Incumbent Lance Lehmann and Eltina Three Stars) and Ward 5 (Incumbent Pat Roseland and Callie Meyer).
Q: What originally inspired you to run for the Rapid City Council, and what are the top priorities you want to address for our community?
Stephen Tamang: My inspiration to run for Rapid City Council is driven by a deep-seated desire to give back to the community that has given me so much. I am drawn to this role because it involves teamwork, collaboration, and the ability to effectively solve complex problems—qualities I’ve honed through my professional experience and my volunteer service.
I believe the city must focus on its core responsibilities—public safety, essential infrastructure, and economic stability—and do those things with excellence. We should be disciplined and cautious when it comes to new spending, ensuring that every dollar is used wisely and for the public good. At the same time, I believe a strong community is one that looks out for its most vulnerable. That means investing in practical, proven solutions that help people get back on their feet without enabling harmful patterns.
Lance Lehmann: I originally ran in 2019 because I had grown frustrated by the lack of compassion and desire to even listen from my elected official and the city as a whole. Since that time and holding office for the past 6 years, I have attempted to change the culture (to some success, but not enough) and ensure that I listen to my community. I believe Homelessness, crime, and our infrastructure are the top three issues I want to continue to focus on, while ensuring we don’t continue to tax folks out of their homes.
Eltina Three Stars: I decided to run for City Council because I want to help build a better future—for my children and for the generations that follow. After being asked multiple times by community members to consider running, I took a close look at our local leadership and realized I didn’t see anyone on the current Council who truly represents me, my family, or the communities I care deeply about. That’s when I knew it was time to step forward and serve in a new way. My top priorities are:
- Affordable Housing – Too many working families are priced out of our city. I support public-private partnerships, updated zoning for multifamily units, and incentives for building low-income housing.
- Mental Health & Substance Use – The need for support is urgent. With experience in behavioral health and suicide prevention, I’ll advocate for crisis teams, culturally responsive services, and sustainable funding for frontline providers.
- Homelessness – We must move from punitive approaches to coordinated, compassionate care. My background in outreach and case management equips me to lead efforts in transitional housing and workforce pathways for unhoused neighbors.
These priorities reflect my commitment to equity, dignity, and long-term solutions that serve the whole community. I believe in leading with care, inclusion, and a focus on solutions that lift us all up.
Callie Meyer: I didn’t see myself represented in the current makeup of the council. I found myself wishing that someone that could represent another generational perspective would run for office, and I realize that I am someone who could do that. I never want to be someone who wants to see change but isn’t willing to put in the word myself. My priorities are sustainable growth, strong public-private partnerships, and advocacy for our small business community with an emphasis on downtown development.
Pat Roseland: I have been involved in the Rapid City community for over 30 years, interested in historic preservation, Rapid City’s history, what has made Rapid City the beautiful and vibrant city that it is today. The incredible arts community that is embedded in Rapid City, and so much more. I love Rapid City.
I was inspired to run for Rapid City Council because I want to be a part of making Rapid City the best it can be. Rapid City is experiencing incredible growth and with that, we cannot lose the quality of life that is of utmost importance to our citizens in Ward 5 and for that matter all of the citizens in Rapid City.
Q: How would you balance growth and development in Rapid City while preserving our Black Hills heritage and character?
Tamang: Growth in Rapid City should align closely with our comprehensive city plan, which reflects extensive citizen feedback and prioritizes the community’s best interests. I support thoughtful, well-managed development that revitalizes existing infrastructure, utilizes smart zoning practices, and maintains transparency in land use decisions. By collaborating closely with city staff and continually engaging community stakeholders, we can ensure that development complements our Black Hills heritage and preserves the unique character and environmental integrity of our region.
Lehmann: Growth has been forced upon us since the COVID pandemic era. I believe we should focus on ensuring that development can continue to happen in the most efficient manner possible. Government shouldn’t be a barrier to growth.
Three Stars: Growth is important for our city’s future, but it must be balanced with respect for the land, our history, and the people who call this place home. The Black Hills hold cultural, spiritual, and environmental significance, and development should reflect that. I support careful, community-minded planning that protects our natural beauty and honors our heritage, while also creating space for local businesses and residents to thrive. Preserving what makes Rapid City unique should be at the heart of how we grow.
Meyer: I don’t think development and character preservation are mutually exclusive. This is a special place to live, and we all recognize that. If we prioritize sustainable growth, stewardship of place, and strategic capital improvements, I think we are only going to see an enhanced Rapid City where the heritage is highlighted and celebrated. You cannot stop growth. But if we embrace it, and ensure we are deciding how we want to grow, we’re going to be building a community where people will be proud to call this home for generations to come.
Roseland: I support our Law Enforcement and First Responders and what we must give them all the support financially and support of the citizens as a whole to continue to be the first-rate departments that they have are today.
Rapid City should be flexible for developers and contractors whose ideas may not fir the norm, however, thinking out of the box should be encouraged.
As Rapid City grows, we must come out of it with a stronger and more diverse economy, better schools. a reinvigorated infrastructure, a much larger inventory of affordable housing and better paying jobs.
Rapid City will have top notch medical providers and facilities, a booming arts community, a safe and attractive downtown and upgraded and new schools for Rapid City’s children.
Much of Rapid City’s growth is spurred by its beautiful environment, its historic downtown and the amenities that are provided by our business community, and all that must be protected.
Q: How do you plan to address community concerns related to homelessness, addiction, and public safety downtown and in surrounding neighborhoods?
Tamang: Homelessness and addiction are complex challenges that require a compassionate but practical approach—one that empowers rather than enables. If money alone could solve these problems, they would have been solved by now. The city must support emergency shelter because no oneshould freeze to death, no matter the choices they’ve made. At the same time, we need clear and accessible “ladders out” for those ready to change, through targeted efforts like the Care Campus.
We also need to be honest: not everyone shares the same values or goals, and some individuals may not seek traditional housing. We can respect those differences while still protecting public safety through thoughtful enforcement and community standards. I support the work of our Quality of Life Unit within the police department and the mobile medic team with the fire department—both are strong examples of compassionate, practical response. Partnering with law enforcement, community health workers, and preventive efforts that address mental illness and addiction will help reduce strain on our systems while respecting both the rights of individuals and the well-being of our neighborhoods.
Lehmann: I (along with 2 other brilliant minds) created Journey On. We were attempting to relieve some of the Police Departments burden while addressing the homeless challenge within our community. The act of being homeless isn’t a crime, but the police department were tasked with the burden of addressing the problem. I am working on a homeless master plan with the intent of seeking buy-in from all related parties and implementing a strategy as an entire community to continue to get folks off our streets and into healthy lifestyles.
Three Stars: These are complex and deeply human issues that require compassion, collaboration, and comprehensive solutions. I believe in addressing root causes by expanding access to supportive housing, mental health services, and substance use recovery programs. At the same time, we must ensure our neighborhoods are safe and that community members feel supported. I would work closely with service providers, public safety professionals, non-profits, Tribal leaders and organizations, and local organizations to create long-term strategies. A safer Rapid City is one where all people feel seen, supported, and treated with dignity.
Meyer: This is where those strong public-private partnerships come into play. I am very supportive of the city working with organizations who are addressing these concerns, whether that’s groups like the Care Campus, OneHeart, or Journey On. These organizations are doing critical work that the city couldn’t accomplish on their own, but there is the opportunity to have partnerships so they can continue executing their missions without the financial uncertainty that comes with operating a non-profit. I also believe that the Community Outreach division of the Police Department is doing great work in building relationships to help individuals who are ready to start a recovery journey. This division of the PD always does programming to help with prevention of these concerns on the front end. I think it’s equally important to help those in immediate crisis while investing in the prevention of crisis situations.
Roseland: Public safety is critical if we are to have a safe and inviting downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. Because of the great amenities that Rapid City has to offer to those who will move to Rapid City, the homeless are attracted to our city also. Rapid City is a very generous city, and with that, Rapid City provides shelter, food, clothing and other means of protecting those that are homeless. However, because of those who have addiction, alcohol and mental health issues, which are prevalent in those whom we see downtown, on street corners and in the park areas that are near our downtown, we seem to be enabling those rather than help them rise above their present condition.
Rapid City and Penn. County and other non-profits provide safe areas for those in need, Care Campus, Cornerstone Rescue Mission and One Heart, who provides a safe place for “hope and Healing” for those who made a commitment for a change in their lifestyle.
There is still much to do, however, I believe as a city, we are heading in the right direction.
Q: What is your approach to keeping and strengthening relationships between the Rapid City government and Indigenous communities, and how can the city foster better collaboration on shared issues?
Tamang: Strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities requires genuine dialogue and meaningful partnerships. Rapid City should foster consistent communication channels, involve Indigenous voices in decision-making processes, and collaborate on shared issues like housing, health, and economic development. Mutual respect and active listening are key to enhancing these relationships.
Lehmann: I am an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and spent many summers with my grandparents on the reservation witnessing first hand the challenges that exist for my own family as well as other members of my tribe. I take that life experience and attempt to find the best solutions for challenges we all face. I have always been willing to meet with people to find common ground and common sense solutions. I have met with a large organization that advocates for Native American people and have expressed my desire to meet at least quarterly going forward to establish a relationship to find those common ground areas.
Three Stars: Strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities means recognizing their deep connection to this land and respecting their voices in every part of local decision-making. As someone rooted in Native community and culture, I am committed to building meaningful, consistent collaboration—not just consultation. This includes establishing permanent channels for input, supporting cultural visibility, and working together on shared concerns such as youth services, housing, and economic development. True partnership benefits the entire city.
Meyer: I want to live in a world where Indigenous voices are actually given decision making authority. Listening sessions can be great, but I think unless there is an equitable representation at the decision making table, we won’t have true collaboration. There are committees, boards/advisory boards, elected positions, commissions, and even neighborhood associations where we need more voices with lived experiences. As much as decision makers want to take the Indigenous viewpoint under consideration, the most powerful thing is when you let people speak for themselves with their own voice, and not on their behalf. So tactically, my approach to strengthening those relationships is to actively seek out Indigenous voices for opportunities where they can make their voices heard.
Roseland: I believe listening to those of our indigenous community is of utmost importance, to have an understanding of their culture and where they are today. It is not easy, I belong to the Community Relations Commission, where a group of likeminded citizens from the community, to provide a means to place ourselves in our indigenous neighborhoods to help where needed, the commission works with the Police and Sheriff’s Departments. Again, much more needs to be done, however, we cannot discount the positive movement which is occurring today.
Q: How would you ensure city decisions are transparent and accountable to citizens, not just developers, outside interests, or extreme viewpoints?
Tamang: Transparency and accountability must be the foundation of city governance. I am committed to clear communication, inclusive public participation in meetings and forums, and making all decision-making processes open and accessible. Ensuring diverse community representation in city discussions and maintaining rigorous ethical standards will keep our council accountable to the citizens of Rapid City. I would not hesitate to speak out publicly and clearly if I observed corruption or unethical behavior of any kind.
Lehmann: I believe all voices should be heard. The actions that the city takes must be done in public meetings and always have been. As a single councilperson, I have zero authority or power to accomplish anything; however, as a governing body, we do the publics business at our public council meetings. The agenda is always visible before the meetings. Most of the items before a council meeting are also vetted by smaller groups and/or our planning commission (also public meetings). I cannot speak for any of my colleagues, but personally I run into people shopping, eating, or within my own businesses that always share ideas and thoughts with me. I try to keep myself open to listening to those that wish to speak with me.
Three Stars: Transparency and public trust are essential in city government. I believe in open communication, accessible public meetings, and active community engagement in the decision-making process. Everyone should feel they have a voice in shaping our city’s future. I will work to ensure that development projects and policies serve the long-term interests of residents and reflect our shared values. Accountability means listening to diverse perspectives and always putting the community first.
Meyer: I think there is an opportunity to share information around why a decision is made. When voting on a decision, the outcome is black and white. However, I think there can be a lot of nuance behind why a decision is made. If there was a decisive issue, I would want to find a way to communicate why I voted a certain way; what groups I spoke with, the impact it would have both long-term and short-term, financial implications, and any other relevant information that shows the prism of perspectives that ended up informing a decision. I think these things can be communicated through different mediums, depending on what the public is receptive to. Unfortunately, you can’t make everyone happy all the time. However, I can guarantee that all the decisions I make will be based on integrity and fairness.
Roseland: Rapid City citizens have the ability to attend the City Council Meetings and also have the right to speak at each of those meetings, if so desired. Those with extreme viewpoints also have a time to speak, each will be given three minutes. Contact information is available for all departments and the members of city council can be reached either by phone or email.
A number of times over the year, there are meetings called Coffee with the Planners where the public are invited to join to visit about projects that are occurring within the city. Bagels and coffee are provided, and a new meeting added will be Coffee with the city engineers. Again, the public will be invited.
Lawrence Adams could not be reached at the time of publication.
