Hot Springs, SD Horizons

How many readers of this blog have older computers stored in their homes? How many of you would like to have a resource to put these computers to good use? How many would like to see computers used rather than sent to the landfill?

According to the National Safety Council, “…three-quarters of all computers sold in the United States remain stockpiled in businesses and homes.” Also, the United States Department of Commerce says that “Approximately 40% of US families do not have Internet-capable computers.”

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, “…each used computer monitor and television screen—can release 3-8 poundsof lead, which has been demonstrated to cause brain damage particularly when exposed to children. EPA estimates that discarded CRTs (monitors and televisions) contribute at least 40% of the known lead in U.S. landfills. Cadmium, mercury, chromium and hazardous flame-retardants are other toxic chemicals typically found (in electronics).”

Additionally, according to Jim Lynch in his Islands in the Wastestream, “From an environmental standpoint, it is preferable to reuse computers an extra two or three years than to recycle their components. Over each computer’s life cycle, reselling or upgrading computers saves 5 to 20 times more energy than recycling.

Given this information and the work that Horizons is doing in Hot Springs, could we all work together and develop a computer reuse center where computers could be collected, refurbished and distributed to residents who cannot afford one? Could we reduce the amount of toxic waste in our landfill and help the community at the same time?

Older computers are still viable tools that can be used for many more years. Word processing, spreadsheets and data bases as well as Internet use will work just as well on a 5 to 10 year-old computer as they do on the newest models.

Comment on this blog to let us know if there is some support for this idea.

I would like to put together an idea to get people thinking of a way to unite the Hills and create jobs, possibly new relationships, and even new businesses.

When my husband and I lived for almost 30 years on the West Slope of the Rockies in Colorado, there were two small towns who put their heads together at an advantage for all. This was designed to create business for these 2 small towns mostly in the winter, when the sidewalks rolled up for one of these towns and things were SLOW. I am referring to the burgs of Ouray (pronounced you-ray) and Telluride, the well-known ski area. They are separated by 13,000′, jagged mountain peaks, are accessible by about 15 miles of a very rough 4WD dirt road in summer, and by a crooked mountain road of about 50 or 60 miles in winter.

In Ouray, there is a wonderful little B&B called the St. Elmo Hotel with a 5-star restaurant, separate from the hotel, in the basement, the Bon Ton. Someone got together with the ski area in Telluride and created an awesome package deal to benefit both towns. It was called the Ouray Get-Away Weekend; a couple would pay the package price which included 2 nights @ the B&B, 2 free dinners @ the Bon Ton Restaurant, 2 free passes to the outdoor hot springs pool in Ouray, and 2 half-price ski tickets in Telluride for a day. A couple could then spend time in Ouray for the most part and take the drive to Telluride for a day to ski and enjoy that town, then return to Ouray (yes, it’s a longish ride, but worth it!) for a soak apres’ ski in Ouray’s hot springs pool. Flyers were sent out to local businesses all over the West Slope and advertised in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel to gain interest in this wonderful package deal, and it took off in a couple years’ time.

So I’m thinking, why wouldn’t that work here in Hot Springs where we have much more sun and less snow in winter? A business or businesses, such as the Red Rocks River Resort or A Dakota Dream, for example, could put together their own special package deals. This could include half price ski tickets to Terry Peak and perhaps some time spent in Deadwood gambling with coupons given by the casinos there, then return back to Hot Springs for their 2 nights here, including some special deal for use of the Plunge or other spas (again using the apres’ ski slogan for emphasis), a visit to the Mammoth site, a visit to the horse sanctuary - whatever anyone could come up with. It’s open to great ideas, and this area has SO much to offer, thus possibly creating new jobs and even attracting new businesses.

I truly think this could work; it certainly did for Ouray and Telluride! Locals on the West Slope, or others from out of town who knew of this package deal, just loved it, they returned to those areas at other times of the year as well for visits, and they made new friends. At the time, I was making jewelry and I even sold some pieces to an employee @ the St. Elmo Hotel!

For Hot Springs, I can really see this take off!!! Business can get creative, and get together with folks in the Northern Hills for some great offers and awesome fun! As for my husband and I, we took advantage of the Ouray/Telluride package every winter we could, as winter obviously would be the best time to include a ski package since people love that activity and there is none here. But depending on what businesses wanted to market, it could also be year-round, especially with the gambling in Deadwood and the indoor/outdoor pool @ the Plunge, as well as the other spas in this area, and our beautiful golf course.

Those who have businesses in Hot Springs, put your thinking caps on, and best of luck to better serve our beautiful little town and yourselves!

Susan Gronwall

When you look at the income producing families in Hot Springs, we have an inordinate number of people who earn their living off of government in one way or another. Although I don’t have any official statistics, I have heard percentages as high as 70%. But, regardless of the percentage, given all the govenmental agencies — State Home, VA, HS school system, city and county government and various other state and federal agencies — the percentage is unusually high for our community. These people, assured of their income do not have to rely on a successful, vibrant business community and economic growth. Thus, they have a less than vested interest toward insuring that local business succeed. As a result, our hard working business men and women continually struggle to survive and we are threatened with more closed businesses and lack of economic development. These government people (many of them leaders in the drive to stifle economic initiatives and the negativity that pervades our community) must be conviced that a thriving business community and accelerated enhanced economic development is good for everyone.

It appears that this sub group is doing great things to get a club here in HS. Without really kicking off a fund drive, they have pledges of at least $6000. They are now working with the Hill City B&G to finalize the roadmap which will help insure success. This is a vital investment in the community’s youth — our future leaders and we must promote this as a Horizon’s success story.

We have got to do a much better job in HS in suppressing the negativity. There seems to be a very small group of people who are opposed to virtually every new change and, as a result we have a hard time gaining traction in moving ahead on major initiatives. There is a cadre of folks who do take a leadership position in making good things happen for the welfare of the community but, as is so often the case, the “silent majority” reigns. We have got to find ways to empower this silent group to move to the front in making their voices heard as they are the people who are wishing things could move forward without constant fighting and contention. They seem to be unwilling to take a public stand for fear of some kind of retribution.

Bloggers and Springers — Please read these questions and consider your answers. Our Horizons sponsors want to gain valid and reliable information about each Horizons community. The more you write, the better sense they can get about us, our strengths and weakness, and how they can support us through education, training and so on. HERE ARE THE APRIL QUESTIONS:

Please choose one or two questions in EACH category to address on your blog:

8. Sustaining action and creating structural change around leadership

What is your community’s plan for maintaining a strong community leadership system?

How can your community sustain the changes it has already made in its leadership?

What structural changes have been made in how the community does its work/makes decisions?

What structural changes have been made so that your community leadership sustains partnerships with others?

12. Sustaining action and creating structural change around community

How will your community make decisions about seeking further resources to support its plans?

Is a system in place to seek, receive, monitor and report on new resources to support community work?

Is a system in place to maintain contact with, or to continue to work with other communities? With your Delivery Organization? In other partnerships?

What new resources have been secured to assist the work of the community?

I recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Star in answer to the Bixler’s grandiose plan for Hot Springs. I was recently talking with Catherine and the issue of negativity came up. I told her that since I drove into this town and was looking to make this our home, I never, ever felt anything negative here, and I seem to be super-sensitive about a lot of things in this regard that have added much positive direction to our lives.

During my adult life, I have lived in many small towns, and when you live IN town (as opposed to out of town) especially, and if you are involved in any type of interaction w/the townfolk, there will be the whole spectrum of individual thoughts and beliefs, and by God, each of those people are RIGHT!! And since there is a smaller population in these towns, all this becomes quite obvious and appears prevalent, which I suppose a person could misconstrue as negative. It’s just small town stuff - they all have it, it has been and will always be there.

So with this in mind, when we moved here and after having many experiences in small towns, both negative and positive, we find this town to be just as I said in my letter. We both LOVE it, just the way it is, although it would be nice to have those empty storefronts filled, or at least the owners to fix them up to look decent for the time being. It would also be nice to have those old trailers replaced, but that probably won’t happen any time soon, or to have trash picked up in yards, etc. But it is very much a part of what Hot Springs IS, just by virtue that it is there, and has been for many years, I would assume. It is a representation of a cross-cut of America on a small scale.

I certainly resent people who breeze into town, stay a few months, then read in the paper what they just know we “need”, and say such negative things themselves about the way things are, it makes me wonder what it would look like after they do their thing, and then most likely leave to do the same elsewhere. We all have to share this space, and in my experience I can tell this is being done effectively. Who wants another McTown or huge resort anyway??!!! Taxes would go up as well as housing and cost of living in general, people would be displaced, and there would be a snooty type of atmosphere which I guarantee very few would like. I would be looking for another place to live, one such as this is now with a bit of sprucing up.

I read further in the paper, George Kotti’s Chamber View, and was so pleased to read what I already knew! That there are positive things happening, that people really DO care! People who will donate motel rooms to foreign tourists, and the LaRives who put on the Easter egg hunt for the kids when the Chamber or Town could not afford it. I believe we have an awesome little burg here; all we may need to get what we need is a bit more positive attitude; it’s infective, as is negativity. Let’s go for the beautiful vision of what we want Hot Springs to be! Dream it, work for it, and it will be there for everyone.

Oh, and my husband, Ray, this blog’s computer master, had a wonderful idea if anyone would like to spread the word, for a new business in town, one that could be of benefit year-round. Since we are situated so close to the Mickelson Trail, wouldn’t it be great to have one of downtown’s empty buildings transformed into a bicycle store where bikes can be purchased, repaired, and even rented? I think it’s a great thought! Anyone out there “in the know” about bikes, interested in opening a new business?

I hear Stephanie Anise, leader of the “placemat project” to depict and publicize adventure tours in and around Hot Springs, has created an opportunity for our young people to develop competencies ranging from computer graphics to merchandising. She will unveil this when it’s up and running.

One way to help our youth deal with poverty is through a Boys and Girls Club.  A club will provide activities  on an ongoing schedule that will be supervised in a welcoming atmosphere.  Our beautiful little community simply does not have a “place” the youth can call their own and know will be there for them.  A major point to this is to keep costs low so that ALL youth can participate.  To make it work requires a lot of support with volunteers, particiapation in fund raising, and interested. responsible adults who will commit themselves and want to be a part of the program.  Please step forward for our kids.

Do you want to help make Hot Springs a place where youth have opportunities for activities that help them enjoy life and fulfill their potential? We have an active Children & Youth Task Force working on exciting projects. Some of the objectives have been completed, but there is much to do, including fundraising for a Boys & Girls Club. There may be a place for you to help; you only have to ask.

Come to the Horizons community dinner Feb 21 at the American Legion (6 p.m., lasagne, good food, good people) and sign up for a team, or — if you can’t make it — leave a comment here with your contact information and someone will get in touch with you.
 

Goal One, Objective 1: improve and expand youth programs
in the community.Implementation Steps…………………………………………………….Completion Date 1. Research: Conduct interviews with schools in other communities
where successful after-school and Friday programs are in place ………. Ongoing