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(5/18/2006)
Legislative Candidates Speak to Pennington County Republican Women Six candidates tell their vision and positions on issues at forum
By Bob Ellis Dakota Voice The Pennington County Republican Women hosted a candidate forum for District 35 candidates at their monthly meeting, held at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn in Rapid City today. Several Republican candidates and incumbents were present, but all the speakers were from legislative district 35 around Rapid City. Those speakers were Lyle Hendrickson, Dale Gunderson, Mark Kirkeby, and Jeffrey Haverly as Republican candidates for state House; Alice McCoy and Bill Napoli are Republican candidates for state Senate. Currently, Haverly is incumbent in the House, Napoli is incumbent in the Senate, and McCoy is term limited in the House. Each candidate was given three minutes in which to introduce themselves and make a statement. A short question and answer session followed the six speakers. During his speech, Hendrickson spoke in favor of school funding, tying educational success with economic development. Hendrickson said that more emphasis needs to be placed on educating teachers so they can better educate students. He also said he was "against abortion on demand," for property tax reduction, and for switching education funding from a property tax base. Gunderson said he would work for better health care policies to increase access to quality medical care, and that his 30 years in medicine and education gave him key insight in this area. He spoke in favor of improving schools with adequate school funding, encouraging businesses to come to South Dakota, and for alternative fuels. Haverly said that while people have needs that must be met, the size of government has to be controlled, and that it "takes good conservative legislators" to do that. He said that when the state is taking in more revenue than it needs, that money should be returned to the taxpayers. Haverly said one of the roles of the legislature is to hold the state's administration accountable for spending. He also said that government should not meddle in business, but should create a healthy environment for business. Kirkeby spoke of the cost to local taxpayers to support and provide facilities for state employees at the Pennington County Courthouse. He said he would not support tax increases for education funding, but at the same time, if local officials say more money is needed, he'll support finding it. Kirkeby said the "number one job is to get government off your back and out of your paycheck." McCoy said that while education is vital, we can't tax people out of their homes. She said she was a supporter of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, supports "right to life," multiple use land management, and believes our veterans should be taken care of. Napoli said that he is "100% pro life, 100% pro business, 100% gun rights." He said that he was tired of "silliness, and people not giving you the truth." Napoli said that people had a right to an answer when they ask questions of elected officials. He said he has worked for property tax reform (STOP), and that as a member of the appropriations committee, he works to make sure taxpayers keep as much of their own money as possible. All candidates were asked about whether they did or would have supported South Dakota's abortion ban, HB 1215. McCoy said that she supported HB 1215, and that Section 3 addresses an exception for rape and incest. Napoli mentioned the exception to save the life of the mother and also emphasized Section 3, stating that like any law, "it can be modified if we start having problems with rape and incest." Kirkeby said that he would not have supported HB 1215. He said he was pro life but that he had some reservations about the "five to seven day window" regarding the rape exception. Haverly said he voted for HB 1215 and that he wouldn't change a thing with the law. He said he has always been pro life, always would be pro life, and that in going door to door during the campaign, he hears a lot of support for 1215. He reminded the audience that the bill was supported by both Democrats and Republicans. Haverly read aloud Section 3 which states: Nothing in section 2 of this Act may be construed to prohibit the sale, use, prescription, or administration of a contraceptive measure, drug or chemical, if it is administered prior to the time when a pregnancy could be determined through conventional medical testing and if the contraceptive measure is sold, used, prescribed, or administered in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Gunderson said that he would not have voted for HB 1215. Gunderson said that if an abortion occurs while a doctor is trying to save the life of the mother, it would be punished by the death penalty or life in prison. It should be noted that Section 4 of HB 1215 states: No licensed physician who performs a medical procedure designed or intended to prevent the death of a pregnant mother is guilty of violating section 2 of this Act. However, the physician shall make reasonable medical efforts under the circumstances to preserve both the life of the mother and the life of her unborn child in a manner consistent with conventional medical practice. Medical treatment provided to the mother by a licensed physician which results in the accidental or unintentional injury or death to the unborn child is not a violation of this statute. Hendrickson said he was pro life, but that he didn't know how he would have voted on HB 1215. He said he was uncertain whether the U.S. Supreme Court would uphold HB 1215, but that he is against abortion. At their next meeting in June, the Pennington County Republican Women will be hosting U.S. House of Representatives Republican candidate Bruce Whalen of Pine Ridge.
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