Tyndall, SD

A committee of mostly new volunteers, but spearheaded by Horizons leader and school teacher Chad Jodozi, is working on a new daycare facility for the town. We have had a couple of daycares discontinue, so this committee is making a gigantic effort to provide additional daycare to the already great daycare providers we have left. We all know that if we want our towns to stabilize and maybe grow, we have to have daycare for the families with both parents working full-time out of the home. This is essential. There are some worried individuals that think that this new facility will take business away from the other daycares but we have to provide adequate spaces. The city has been working with the group and is offering their full support. This facility will provide one more full-time job and some part-time jobs to the community.

Tyndall’s Cavalier Corner is offering a GED program this fall!  They are teaming up with Joblink out of Yankton and to date there are seven individuals that have signed up for the program.  We know how important a high school education is and this program will hopefully help these people get a leg up so they can move forward with their education and work possibilities.  We all learned through Horizons the importance of education in the fight to reduce poverty and it is clear as crystal how true that is. Anyone needing info on setting up GED in your area, go to your school district and get started there.

This Saturday, April 5 join us at the Open House at the Bargain Shoppe in Tyndall!  We will be open from 10-5 and serving up some great bargains. We are now taking spring and summer items-all must be clean and in working order.  Make an appointment to drop off or stop by when open.  589-3955.  Run by ALL VOLUNTEERS, the Bargain Shoppe is an example of people leading the way, sustained by interested shoppers and volunteers.  If anything, it will outgrow its current location, as it will only improve.  It has shown to be a needed shop in town. Also, all monies are donated back into the community after expenses.  Stop by!

While I believe that the residents of Tyndall are very grateful for the opportunities that Horizons has provided our community, I think that “reducing poverty” and improving financial status for residents is going to be an uphill battle, given the national and regional views on the economy and in the political arena in general. Pessimism creeps in !!! I guess if we had a rash of business start-ups that would be able to employ locals at a decent wage, that would be of great help. I am an optimist!  Even one new business that could employ more than the owner would be a start. Tyndall has room for this growth. The larger businesses that we have are working hard to keep their employees but we know from our census statistics that around 35% of Tyndallites go out of town for a job each day. So, I would have to say that one large new business would be a start and a huge asset for our community. What do you think, Tyndall? Leave a comment at this post.

We can see what other Horizon communities are doing by going to the community list on the right of the blog site and click on any one of the towns. I could say from reading the blogs, that all of the communities have been affected and have educated their town on the many faces of poverty and as far as “reducing” it, that will take many years, if at all.  More funding would be needed, we have all found out.   Most of the towns have implemented projects that help those in need, and it has also raised awareness of the importance of supporting the local economy and school district if there is to be any viability in the future.  Many have learned of programs that can assist those in need.  Many have learned that they have important programs already in place and needed to advertise them more. I think Horizons has helped, but what do you think? Leave your comment here!

The structural changes I have noticed in the last year in Tyndall is 5 new businesses on Main Street.  We have added a new cafe, 2 businesses which sell memorials, a resale shop and a youth center.  These new businesses deal with a wide scope of people from senior citizens to youth and allow for the people of the community to stay in town for their needs.

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!

“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.

     Tyndall was the site for a meeting on Dec. 27 to discuss probabilities of setting up wind generators in the surrounding areas.  A nice crowd of people attended to hear Richard Wiebe of Westwood C-Bed Biofuels  and Scott Parsley of East River Power Cooperative speak on the availability of wind energy in this region.  The meeting was arranged by Senator Frank Kloucek and sponsored by Tyndall Development.  “The meeting will help set the tone and direction for wind development in our area and what directions our communities and individuals wish to take in terms of wind and transmission development.  This is another opportunity for economic revitalization in rural South Dakota” as stated by Senator Frank Kloucek.

   Wind power offsets other, more polluting sources of energy.  That is important because electricity generation is the largest industrial source of air pollution in the U.S.  When wind power projects generate electricity, fuel at other power plants is not consumed.

     To generate the same amount of electricity as today’s U.S. wind turbine fleet would require to burning 16 millions tons of coal or 50 million barrels of oil each year.

     Wind energy requires no mining, drilling, or transportation of fuel, and does not generate radioactive or other hazardous or polluting waste.

     A recent New York study found that if wind energy supplied 10% of the state’s peak electricity demand, 65% of the energy it displaced would come from natural gas, 15% from coal, 10% from oil, and 10% from electricity imports.

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.