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Rapid City Mayor Says Local Powers “Left on Their Own“

Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender says South Dakota is not unified in efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. His comment comes the day after legislators defeated a last-minute bill granting additional emergency authorities to cities and counties.

Allender joined a meeting with other mayors and the South Dakota Municipal League to discuss further options, but left early in order to give his daily press briefing Tuesday afternoon. He didn’t yet know of a consensus, but he offered his opinion of the situation.

“I think the cities and counties have been absolutely left on their own, and so it’s [up to] us to realize that rather than complaining about it we should get to work and see how we can improve the situation.”

Like other mayors, Allender says he’s received an influx of complaints from citizens who feel their employers are putting them at risk by staying open. He says those people should consider quitting.

“Imagine if your boss decided to bring into the workplace a pet grizzly bear and you felt threatened by it. What should you do? Go home!”

A Rapid City ordinance closing certain businesses went into effect on Friday. The full ordinance is available on the city’s website.

Jackie is based out of SDPB's Sioux Falls Studio.