Black Hills State University homecoming celebrants paraded through Spearfish today. Naturally, a number of politicians scooted along looking for votes.
![Clown in Swarm Days parade, September 22, 2012 Clown in Swarm Days parade, September 22, 2012](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9rn9Rr2zRI8/UF4yjMccUNI/AAAAAAAADLc/4NArSOVrf4c/s512/Clown.jpg)
No, no, no. Real politicians, like Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen, who was working really hard to get her truck and sticker crew to catch up with the rest of the parade.
![Kristie Fiegen for PUC campaign truck in Swarm Days Parade, September 22, 2012 Kristie Fiegen for PUC campaign truck in Swarm Days Parade, September 22, 2012](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u2DdDzQyEZg/UF4yko3_snI/AAAAAAAADLs/JD4RcjZOErU/s720/Fiegentruck.jpg)
I aimed for a picture of Fiegen herself, but she must have had her Dem radar on and avoided the Left side of the street... unlike one of her poor sticker gals, who asked if I wanted a Fiegen sticker. She was briefly flabbergasted when I declined and told her I'm a McGovern man. Some Republicans just aren't used to being contradicted.
Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson was hustling both sides of the street:
![Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson campaigns at Swarm Days Parade, September 22, 2012 Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson campaigns at Swarm Days Parade, September 22, 2012](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N_JYnsdokwY/UF4yjM27_JI/AAAAAAAADLg/pDFHyXs6GcQ/s576/ChrisNelson.jpg)
Commissioner Nelson knows full well I'm a Nemec man. He still came up with his big smile, shook my hand, and handed my daughter two Tootsie Rolls.
![Chris Nelson for PUC campaign truck, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012 Chris Nelson for PUC campaign truck, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nwUTYyyQGhY/UF4yqTFM1KI/AAAAAAAADMI/DFEj8gyGbS0/s720/Nelsontruck.jpg)
Check out that decal on the side of Chris's truck bed. Pretty snappy!
![Rep. Fred Romkema pitches candy in Swarm Days parade, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012 Rep. Fred Romkema pitches candy in Swarm Days parade, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iNium-F3-NI/UF4yqid2GwI/AAAAAAAADMU/lEwSJOEm8Rc/s720/RomkemaOlds.jpg)
Rep. Fred Romkema rode through the parade with his current District 31 colleagues Rep. Chuck Turbiville and Sen. Tom Nelson. Rep. Turbiville chose to retire from the Legislature this year; Lawrence County voters made that choice for Sen. Nelson in favor of Bob Ewing at the June primary. Note these public servants are riding in a fine blue Oldsmobile. Yes, these are your father's Republicans.
![Rep.-Elect Tim Johns rides in the Swarm Days parade, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012 Rep.-Elect Tim Johns rides in the Swarm Days parade, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zkcFJtNz_LE/UF4ym7BAmnI/AAAAAAAADL8/Xhu8bXqyRwQ/s720/JohnsGOPcar.jpg)
Rep. Turbiville's replacement, Rep.-Elect Tim Johns, yielded slightly large billing on the Lawrence County Republicans' car to Congresswoman Kristi Noem. Alas, no Kristi, as she had a public forum to skip down the road in Rapid today.
But also absent from today's parade: Democrats. One-party rule paraded through the streets of Spearfish today. Some days parades make me feel lonely.
Bonus pix! Cool Jeep:
![Jeep, Swarm Days parade, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012 Jeep, Swarm Days parade, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fmki2_3KcCw/UF4ymOK-7sI/AAAAAAAADL0/mw0NQsl8DtU/s720/Jeep.jpg)
...and fun Shriner toy plane:
![Shriner plane, Swarm Days parade, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012 Shriner plane, Swarm Days parade, Spearfish, SD, September 22, 2012](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q--36M2VWZI/UF4yqMP3f6I/AAAAAAAADME/N2KXN5d4nds/s720/ShrinerPlane.jpg)
don't cry for me, lawrence county....
Why can't more politicians be like Chris.... Enjoy the candy and nice pictures. (I wonder where Matt was)
good pics Corey - thanks for the post
i did the interior demolition and the all the drywall in the dermatology clinic in the winter of 2002-3: the contractor was this one.
There oughta' be a law: Every town needs at least one parade a year so the classic cars (and tractors) get to beam in the sun for a day.
Larry are you certain that wasn't the psyc ward's drywall you were studying?
(Is that really you up on that first picture?) LOL
in that all of Spearditch is a psych ward: yes, charlie.
Larry, Spearfish has thus far provided me quite comfortable asylum.
Bob: agreed! Plus, a good parade makes sure the candidates get some exercise... and as President Obama says of high-powered political work, "You have to exercise... or at some point you'll just break down."
It appears that just keeping up with Nelson and Fiegen is a workout in itself. And we know Romkema runs Marathons so catching him is out; but I'd bet we'd catch Turbiville on the first hill!
I wonder if the Shriner Pilot was landing or taking off?
"I wonder if the Shriner Pilot was landing or taking off?"
I had to laugh, too. My Grandpa was a Shriner, and a Shriner is the last guy I want in a cockpit. One thing you can be sure of, he was SKY HIGH. LOL
Justin; God bless your Grandfather and everyone who cares more about trying to help make a child whole then they do for themselves. If that means putting on a goofy clown face, driving a dirt ball rag infested auto, or selling cotton candy to a thousand little perfect kids at a circus; with a little buzz on, so be it. (we need to talk, personally :) )
</8~o teddy roosevelt emoticon
Well done, Larry!
Mark, I think he was hoping to accelerate up Main Street and use the hill past Grant as a take-off ramp.
I'm sorry I couldn't attend the festivities in Spearfish but my #3 daughter, Erin, was getting married this past Saturday in Highmore. My firm position is family always trumps politics. I'm happy to report that Erin and new son-in-law Dan had a great day and have a bright future. The church was full and all the young people in attendance give me confidence that we are in good hands.
Feds swarm to clean up Janklow-era disaster while Noem believes the environment is for other people to worry about.
http://www.bhpioneer.com/news/article_ca222ec6-0661-11e2-95d4-0019bb2963f4.html
L'chaim! to the happy couple and to the proud parents, Nick!