WHAT HAS JEFF DONE?

FIXING THE COURT SYSTEM

Jeff was new to the Minnehaha County Commission in January of 2007. As a regular attendee of commission meetings and an observer of county issues we was already aware of the need to add more judges and more courtrooms to the Second Judicial District, which consists of Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties.

He encouraged a joint effort by all five commissioners that informed the public and secured help from architects and contractors to help solve it. An addition was constructed with zero public opposition, adding six new courtrooms to take care of the problem and provide for space for the burgeoning County population.

Minnehaha County now handles one third of all court proceedings in South Dakota with the fifteen judges that operate in the Minnehaha County Courthouse!

DISCOURAGING COMMISSION SALARY INCREASES

When elected in 2006, Jeff was concerned about the salaries commissioners had given themselves. Not because they don't work hard. His issue is that the amount is determined by the commission for the commission. Working at Qwest, Jeff had seen the abuse of that system by errant CEO Joe Nacciho who wrote himself a fat paycheck. Aware of the low salaries many people in South Dakota make, since taking the oath in January of 2007 Jeff has never voted to give the commission a raise and has donated any increases exceeding the 2006 salary to charity. Last year (2009) that amount was over $5,000.00.

OPENS MEANS OPEN

As a new commissioner Jeff – designated liaison to the fairgrounds - received an urgent call from commission colleagues about an urgent meeting with the Fairgrounds manager about a dance that had raised eyebrows. The meeting was in 20 minutes, so, in a rush, Jeff attended. Later realizing that the meeting was in violation of the South Dakota open meetings laws, he reported it to the Minnehaha County State's Attorney, who found that the violation had not been handled in a criminal manner. The matter was referred to the Attorney General's Open Meetings Commission and those attending, including Jeff, were reprimanded.