Tyndall, SD

It is hard to get a handle on how the reduction of poverty is going in our community, especially with the economic atmosphere of our country. But we have been monitoring the number of students who are receiving free and reduced lunches at school, checking with the food pantry for numbers of participation-new or increased use by the same families and talking to personal who deal with poverty such as clergy, police, and family services staff.

What would the residents of Tyndall and the members of the business community like to see in new small businesses on Main Street or on the highway? Do we want to have more business on the highway, or do we want to concentrate on downtown? We have a couple of “holes ” on main street that we can fill up. We know we have a low-income housing issue - got any ideas on that ( maybe employing our local contractors ?) Do we know an alumni or former resident who would love to relocate to a smaller business community? Our Horizons committees have worked hard the past two years-since August of 2006- to come up with improvements. We greatly appreciate those of you who have participated in the meetings and planning sessions and shared your ideas, but we could use more. Our economic future depends on your entrepreneurial bravery!!!! If you have an idea or opinion, leave a comment here!

When we started to really deal with what is causing the poverty in our area we realized, probably against our willingness, that partnerships must be established.  With several of the projects which have been started, the partnership was slow in coming.  People, in general, are afraid to move away from their comfort zones and get involved in a much larger scope.  The past month it has been very exciting and interesting to see the cooperation with other groups and organizations from the surrounding committees.  Although several projects are in the conception stage, there is a light on at the end of the tunnel to develope some more jobs to keep people in all of our communities.

Greg Gemar of Gemar’s Market is presenting Janet Wagner of the Cavalier Corner a check for $500 to match a business donation for the Youth Center. Janet and Greg are also working out a partnership to start selling Hot Stuff pizzas at the center. Greg  is working on a pizza size which would work well for the kids as a 12″ is too large and a 6″ is smaller then we want. He is working with different dough ball sizes to find a pizza size which would work for the Center.

More community support for the Cavalier Corner!  Jim Koenig of Koenig Insurance has put a challenge out to the local business community to support the Youth Center.  Jim will match dollar for dollar each money that the local businesses donate to the Youth Center up to $10,000!  It will be $2,000  a year for 5 years and we will be able to use the donations which were given to start the project.  Jim Koenig is shown in the picture presenting Janet Wagner with the first $2,000 donation.

I am looking for information or input on putting a Boys and Girls Club in Tyndall.  If you have any information about the ups and downs of the organization would you please let me know.  I can be reached either by the blog or 589-3097 evenings or 589-3387 daytime.

Members of our planning team met with our coach Dave Olson on Jan. 8 and reported the progress of our seven goals we chose to work on for the improvement of Tyndall. He had lots of good ideas and new information on workshops coming up that will help us. Watch for them in the Tyndall Tribune.

Our seven goals are: To create a community foundation, to develop the Tyndall Bargain Shoppe, to influence public policy in SD to reduce poverty, to develop and maintain the Tyndall website- tyndallsd.com, to develop the Cavalier Corner Youth Center, to determine the feasiblility of hiring a community coordinator, to provide a LeadershipPlenty program for High School Students.

Lots to work on? You bet. The committees are working hard, even though all members have jobs and lots on their plates.

The Cavalier Corner is doing well and the students are enjoying the facilities. Ask about renting the space for a party. The board is working hard to secure more funding.

The Bargain Shoppe is doing well, also, with an all volunteer staff-that is incredible. The store is clean and well displayed, and donations continue to come in. They could use more infants and childrens clothing-clean and in good condition. Getting the word out is the key now. They can also use more volunteers to work on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

The public policy committee has been compiling information that will be of benefit to those needing food and housing assistance. Be looking for that.

The community foundation committee has presented a “round - up plan” to the city council and the city staff is checking into that-some software issues right now but it looks good. ( Watch for press releases on that too)

The community coordinator committee has some objectives to work on. They will be doing a feasibility study. This is not something you just jump into. It is working in some of our Horizons towns so it is possible.

The website committee is also working hard. Almost all of the pages have been designed and will soon be online.  You can check the progress now by going to www.tyndallsd.com.

We need and can use your comments on these goals. Is Tyndall on the right track? Just go to the bottom of this post and click on comments and sign in. It’s harmless!

“How does the community plan to make sure the entire community supports its plans and actions to reduce poverty? How is poverty reduction addressed in our Community Plan?” These are questions we have been asked by our Horizons team to address.

I am not sure we can MAKE the community do anything. I think we can only offer changes and improvements and promote them to the benefit of the community. Getting the word out is the biggest factor. Regular news articles have been put in the local paper, but if people don’t read the paper, you are getting nowhere! Our parents and schools have to teach children to become involved in their town, read about it, and volunteer to help others. Also, we teach by example: if we help others, our kids see that and they will do the same when they reach adulthood.

The reduction of poverty has been addressed in our community plan in the form of several goals: The public policy committee will be looking at legislation that is affecting our low income residents, the Cavalier Corner offers free access to entertainment and study opportunity in the computer lab, the Bargain Shoppe will be dispensing funds out to local charity after their expenses are paid ( stop in and shop!), and the Community Round-up Program which is just beginning to be talked about, will benefit all and will be an easy way for all residents to give to the local projects. The committee will be meeting with the city council on January 7.

The Fort Randall Telephone Company of Tyndall has come to the aid of the Tyndall Youth Center.  Debbie Bures is shown presenting a check to Janet Wagner, Youth Center coordinator, for $817.08 to pay for internet and cable for the next year at the Youth Center.  This is a great educational and recreational opportunity for all to able to use the computers especially with the semester ending and papers due!  Also pictured are Fort Randall Telephone employees, Duane Bachmann and Harley Haukaas.

Tyndall’s Bargain Shoppe is open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Like all businesses we’re trying to encourage more people to stop and see what we have to offer! Some great bargains have already gone to folks who have come by, and often they are reminded of things they have to contribute. So far we have about 10 people who are serving as clerks. If we get more volunteers we could be open more days of the week. If you are reading this blog and have not yet checked out the Bargain Shoppe, do come by. Thanks.