Rapid City Journal: Question and Answer
The Rapid City Journal recently interviewed each candidate for a cohesive Q/A . See Laura’s response.
ARMSTRONG: Changes in the housing market
Changes in the housing market have resulted in a flurry of new development in Rapid City with multiple large apartment complexes currently under construction. Many of these new developments are on the edge of town, which leads to urban sprawl, contributes to...
Short-term rental regulation needed
Rapid City and the Black Hills are in the midst of a housing crisis. Double-digit percentage increases in median listing prices have been persistent throughout 2021 and 2022. In the summer of 2021, at the peak of the frenzy, houses spent an average of eight days on...
The power of learning about powwows
My elected position has provided me with unique insight into our local Native American community. Over the last five years, I’ve collaborated with Indigenous leaders, business owners and families, some of which I now proudly consider as friends. They’ve given me...
Gold mining risk isn’t worth taking
On July 11, 2022, the United States Forest Service released a draft decision for gold exploration by F3 Gold, LLC, a gold exploration/mining company based in Minnesota. The draft decision found “no significant impact” for the company’s exploration proposal, permitted...
Everyone must do their part to eradicate racism
For centuries our country has been engaged in a fight for equality in the face of systemic racism and discrimination. While we cannot magically eradicate racism on the national level, we can at least confront it locally. Since the community is discussing racism...
Lives do matter in Rapid City
As the President of the Rapid City Common Council, part of my job is to uphold the mission, vision, and values of this city. We all want to see Rapid City as a vibrant community where all citizens can prosper and enjoy our quality of life. Our mission is simple – to...
Rapid City needs to pass the school bond
In 2003 I had the privilege of being the first travelling speech therapist for the Rapid City Area Schools. Some facilities were a day or half day short on an available speech therapist, so that’s how I first became involved with the school district. During that time,...