By Dan Bechtold, Editor
Val Sherman, a member of the Winner City Council and police chief Paul Schueth spoke to the government classes at Winner High School last Wednesday morning.
This is a part of an ongoing series where state and local officials come into the school to speak to the students.
Sherman has been on the city council for 16 years and has decided not to run for re-election.
Sherman asked the seniors if they knew what ward they lived in and also presented them with forms used when a person is seeking office.
The member of the council passed out copies of April 6 city council agenda and a map of the city wards.
Students had a chance to look at the official minute book and a book that contains all the codes and ordinances.
During her 16 years, Sherman has worked with four mayors and five finance officers.
During her tenure, some of the big projects she has worked on are airport runway extension, jail, fire hall, walking trail, South County Road, new swimming pool and bass pond.
Sherman told the student’s the city budget is over $11 million.
She explained the important work council committees do.
Sherman noted she ran for office to serve the people.
Schueth explained the workings of the jail and the 911 center. He said on an average day there will be between 80 to 90 inmates in jail in addition to U.S. marshal personnel.
The police chief said 21 jailers work at the law enforcement center which holds prisoners for nine different counties.
The police chief explained the 24/7 program and noted that Winner was one of the pilot cities when it started in 2005.
“I have seen how this program can change lives,” said Schueth.
In South Dakota, since the program started there have been 7.6 million tests done. Persons on the 24/7 program are required to report twice a day.
In South Dakota, there have been 36,790 persons on the program.
Due to the program, law enforcement officials have seen a decrease in DWI arrests and deaths due to a drunk driver.
Schueth explained it is not just older people who are required to be on this program. He noted it also includes lot of young persons.
With prom and graduation coming up, the police chief said law enforcement wants to make sure young people stay safe. “You are important to us and we want to make sure you are safe,” he said.
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