Tyndall, SD

     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.

New year’s greetings to all on the community blogs! It has been a busy year in Horizons in Tyndall. In addressing our December questions posed to us…How are we aware of our assets and how are we more aware of the diverse people that call our town home….one can look at our programs already in place. Our assets are all around us! Sounds cliche? We have so many people that have volunteered to work on the Horizons program and to help accomplish some of the goals we have set in our Strategic Plan. Yes, we can use more volunteers and we would wish that everyone would be involved, but in the grand scheme of things, we are doing pretty good.

In setting up our new web site, tyndallsd.com, our committee has been awed by the number of diverse businesses we have in Tyndall. Some are struggling, some new ones are in the works, and we are hopeful that the website will make more people aware of what we have and the possibilities we have in Tyndall. I think that the establishment of the website, one of our goals in the community strategic plan, will really be a good thing for Tyndall.

Tyndall does not have that many residents of varied ethnicity, but we welcome people of ethnic and cultural diversity as they are gathered into the mainstream at school and church and business. After 125 years, Tyndall has seen the welcoming of many diverse people as the town was established!

What do you think- drop a comment off.

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.

Ron Wagner explaining the economic development plan.

Some of the people who enjoyed the evening.

A cake to celebrate our progress so far.

The Tyndall Horizon’s team hosted a public meeting at the Cavalier Corner on Sunday Nov. 18 to discuss the projects and the steps needed to finish the Horizon projects. Several speakers reintroduced their projects, spoke on the status of the project, and gave credit to the people who have been working on each project. An opportunity was given for anyone who wished to volunteer for a project to sign up for that project and could speak with each chairman about what needed to be done.

Since Horizons began, it seems like more people in the community are aware of the need to help those who are disadvantaged, especially now during the holidays.There already is an existing culture here in Tyndall of helping those who need help, but sometimes there are a few who slip through the cracks and don’t know where to go for assistance.  The establishment of the Bargain Shoppe, for an example, is one big way to provide assistance for those who need to spend less, and also for those who just want a good bargain.  Right now, the Shoppe committee is working on getting the word out.  A flag has been placed by the door to alert people that they are open for business and also an ad and flyers have gone out to the communities surrounding. Now the goal is to get the word out farther.   I think this new endeavor is a huge commitment by the Horizons volunteers who started it and with the support of the Cavalier Corner and the City of Tyndall it will help reduce poverty in our area and show that we mean business. What do you think? Let us know.

Parents and patrons of school districts  are urged to talk to your legislators to fight for your schools.  A time to visit with the Dist. 19 legislators will be at a regional meeting set for Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 P.M. in the Tripp school auditorium.  Everyone is encouraged to talk with Senator Frank Kloucek, Representative Gary Jerke and Representative Jim Putnam and voice your concerns on education funding and ask them to fight for your schools.