{"id":9986,"date":"2020-05-13T17:34:46","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T22:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/walt-swan-runs-for-ward-4\/"},"modified":"2020-05-13T17:34:47","modified_gmt":"2020-05-13T22:34:47","slug":"walt-swan-runs-for-ward-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/walt-swan-runs-for-ward-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Walt Swan runs for Ward 4"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Walt Swan, owner of HeSapa Enterprises and Rapid City Common Council Ward 4 candidate<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

RAPID CITY \u2013 Walt Swan Jr., an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and self-described \u201cold school Rapid Citian,\u201d is running for Rapid City Common Council in Ward 4.
\nSwan grew up in Rapid City and graduated from Central High School where he played basketball for Dave Strain. He reminisces on the times of his childhood when the native populations of Rapid had influence with their vote and had elected a Native American Mayor in 1975, Arthur P. LaCroix.
\nBut since the 70\u2019s and 80\u2019s, there has been a decline in Native representation and Swan believes city government should be more inclusive of Native Americans.
\n\u201cWe need to count on our own people here,\u201d said Swan \u201cwe shouldn\u2019t be asking other people to stand up for us, we should be standing up for ourselves.\u201d
\nAnother local politician told Swan that relying on the native vote of Rapid City would be a waste of time, but Swan wants to refute that claim.
\nSwan has been organizing socially distanced drive through meet and greets with Amy Sazue, who is running for Rapid City School Board. The meet and greets are not only designed to familiarize people with the two politicians, but to also urge eligible voters to register.
\nSwan received a B.S. in education from BHSU, and a master\u2019s degree in educational administration from Penn State. He has worked locally as a teacher, dean of students, and superintendent. Furthermore, he has worked for the BIA as a line officer being fiscally and educationally responsible for 16 schools on the Eastern seaboard.
\nHeSapa Enterprises, a local screen printing and embroidery business on Farlow Ave, is the creation of Swan\u2019s. HeSapa has been in business for more than five years.
\nAs a business owner, Swan recognizes how difficult some decisions will be on City Council. When asked about the recent closure of Rapid City, he said \u201cI am a business owner and educator, and the business part of this has been terrible. Did it help? Well, we didn\u2019t see positive cases of Covid-19 here like they did in Sioux Falls but I am glad to see that we are taking steps to reopen.\u201d
\nSwan worries about the fiscal downfall of COVID-19 on a city level. He cites his experience with budgets in education and business to fight for jobs and essential services.
\nA biography on Swan\u2019s political Facebook page states \u201cI am running for Ward 4 Alderman to help our city, provide a voice not only for Lakota people but for all citizens of Ward 4, to keep citizens safe, to adapt to the upcoming financial times while exercising fiscal responsibility, and to ensure we remain a great city to visit for many years to come.\u201d
\nAlderman John Roberts, a 9 year veteran of Ward 4, is running for reelection against Swan. In a Facebook post from early February, Roberts announced he was not going to run for reelection by stating \u201cI have to do what is best for myself, my family and my business and I no longer feel like I have the time, energy or desire to represent you all as I effectively could.\u201d He went on to be vocal about his intentions in city council meetings, but changed his mind a few weeks later in March.
\nSwan claims that Roberts had originally planned to endorse him, and donate to his campaign. \u201cHis decision to run again is on him and his integrity\u201d said Swan, \u201cI still look for a check from John Roberts in my mailbox.\u201d
\nIn closing Swan said \u201cI want to change the mindset of not counting on the native vote. There\u2019s nobody here to create that fire, but I will.\u201d
\nYard signs are available for Swan\u2019s campaign, as well as shirts with a $20 donation. Swan posts updates and goes live on his Facebook page Walt Swan ForWard4 daily, and can be reached at swanforward4@gmail.com<\/a>.
\nRegistration for voting needs to be completed by May 18, and a ballot must be completed by June 2. Walk in voting is available but an appointment must be made by calling the auditor\u2019s office at 605-394-2153. An absentee ballot can be requested by filling out a form via the PC Auditors Office. On that website go to Public Information and then Elections and Request a Ballot. The absentee ballot either needs to be notarized or returned with a photocopy of a driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n

(Contact Travis at travisldewes@gmail.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Walt Swan, owner of HeSapa Enterprises and Rapid City Common Council Ward 4 candidate RAPID CITY \u2013 Walt Swan Jr., an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and self-described \u201cold school Rapid Citian,\u201d is running for Rapid City Common Council in Ward 4. Swan grew up in Rapid <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> May 13, 2020<\/p>\n

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