Broadcaster Press 07 May 20, 2014 www.broadcasteronline.com Capitol Notebook: 1605 Given the chance to return, ag secretary makes changes By Bob Mercer State Capitol Bureau PIERRE – Unlike many state government departments and agencies, where employees prove themselves through several decades in a series of successively higher assignments, the secretary of agriculture in South Dakota typically came from outside and was a working rancher or farmer. When he began the job one year ago, state Secretary of Agriculture Lucas Lentsch had an advantage that none of his modern predecessors did. He came from a different path and knew what he was getting into. Lentsch worked in 2009-2010 as executive director for the South Dakota Republican Party when state Sen. Bob Gray of Pierre was chairman. Next he served in the state Department of Agriculture, as director for agricultural development, during the start of Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s new administration. But he left after 18 months to join a Pierre investment firm. Lentsch had been at Reinke Gray Wealth Management for 16 months when he was invited up to the governor’s office. Their conversation last spring led to Daugaard offering him the post of cabinet secretary. He succeeded Walt Bones, who was returning to his farm and cattle at Parker. Lentsch began April 29, 2013. Unlike many other cabinet members, the secretary of agriculture isn’t afforded much office time. There is a heavy travel schedule. Many farm and ranch groups across South Dakota want to hear from him. For some past secretaries of agriculture, the schedule ground them down, as they did what they could to help keep their home places running. Larry Gabriel set a standard for expectations and effort. The long-time legislator and life-long rancher from Cottonwood served nearly seven years in the cabinet post starting in May 2000 under thenGov. Bill Janklow and then-Gov. Mike Rounds. Gabriel introduced himself to South Dakota audiences as “your secretary of agriculture” – emphasizing the “your” – and a few other cabinet members, in the ultimate flattery, took up their variations of the line. The advantage for Lentsch as a new secretary was the time he had previously worked in the department. Those 18 months provided him an opportunity to gain insights into the organization’s structure and people. Another advantage was the time he served as a captain in Iraq. He said he learned that initial judgments about a person’s qualities don’t always prove true and that people sometimes far exceed expectations when challenged. With a year in the job Lentsch, 40, is making changes in the department. He hired new talent from outside for a variety of key posts as needed and plans to recruit younger replacements for inspectors approaching or past retirement age. He recently eliminated a layer in the Agricultural Services Division, laying off two administrators. Employees now share duties so work doesn’t stack up. They answer straight to the division’s director. Lentsch spent his childhood in Waterloo, Iowa, where his father worked at the John Deere operations for 20 years. The family moved in 1985 to Marshall County, where Lentsch’s parents, John and the late Karen, ran a dairy farm. Their son keeps a photo of them, in their barn clothes, in his state office. It is a reminder of what he, in his tie, must stand for too. Main Street Walk of Memories May 23-26 Who is your hero? Maybe you think of a family member who served in the armed forces. Maybe your hero is a cherished volunteer, friend, teacher, coach or perhaps your neighbor or co-worker. Your hero makes you want to grow, to be a better person, someone whose example you follow and someone that makes or made a difference to you or others. There are many heroes and heroines at the Main Street Center. Maybe your hero is one of them. This Memorial Day honor these special men and women through the Center’s Third Annual Walk of Memories. On Memorial Day weekend the Center’s sidewalk will be lined with American Flags that honor or remember the name of your special person. A donation from you will secure a flag with the name of the person or family you have chosen to be honored or remembered. On Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, the public will be able to view the flags outside the Center at 320 W. Main St. To participate in the Annual Walk, please Crystal McGuire, director of the Center at (605) 624-8072, before May 20. All proceeds for this project will be used to benefit the Main Street Center, which provides a location for activities, programs on health, wellness, and education for senior citizens, plus houses the senior meal program. Please know that with your gift, no matter the amount – you will be honoring or remembering your special someone. Donors and those honored or remembered will be listed in the Center newsletter in June. The Center is a 501 (c) 3 corporation. Checks may be made payable to: Senior Citizen Services of Vermillion, Inc., and mailed to Main Street Center; 320 W. Main St.; Vermillion, SD 57069. For more information, contact McGuire at (605) 624-8072. Apartments For 1650 Rent Houses For Sale 1815 Miscellaneous DirectTV - 2 Year Savings Event! Over 140 channels only $29.99 a month. Only DirecTV gives you 2 YEARS of savings and a FREE Genie upgrade! Call 1-800-991-2418 (MCN) RETIREMENT APARTMENTS, ALL INCLUSIVE. Meals, transportation, activities daily. Short Leases. Monthly specials! Call (866)338-2607. nani 1615 Houses For Rent *House for rent/sale: 5-bedroom, 3-bath, single car garage. Location Crofton, NE. Call (402)334-7387 or (402)670-8404. 1650 Houses For Sale 204 Brown St., Gayville For Sale by Owner $137,000 4-Bedroom, 2-full bath, 1881 square feet, 2+ car garage. 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Rental assistance available to those who qualify. For appointments or applications please call 605-624-5218 or visit www.oakleafpm.com. Ranch Style Cabin for sale along Missouri River with boat access. Located near Sportsman?s. Built in 2008. Asking $85,000. Call (402)841-7108. 1710 Antiques Collectibles Outdoor Flea Market Memorial Day Weekend May 24-25. Roadshow Antiques, 3300 W. 8th St., Yankton. There will also be plenty of sales inside 10-50% off, (605)665-2112. 1790 Lawn - Garden Craftsman garden tractor 25hp. Briggs & Stratton with 48” deck, need carberator. $300/OBO. (605)660-0060. 1795 Musical Items TOP CASH PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920?s thru 1980?s. Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D?Angelico, Stromberg, and Gibson. Mandolins/Banjos. 1-800-401-0440. nani 1815 Miscellaneous STEEL CULVERTS FOR SALE: New, All sizes. (605)661-5050 or (605)387-5660. Ulmer Farm Service, Menno, SD. $14.99 SATELLITE TV. 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