LETTER: Nelson’s committee removal was wrong

Talk about it

To the Editor:

It was with great disappointment I read of state Rep. Stace Nelson, R-Fulton, being removed from his state Agriculture Committee post (a committee position Rep. Nelson served honorably on for the past year) by Speaker of the South Dakota House Val Rausch.

In looking at this, remember that Rep. Nelson has shown what kind of public servant he was through his 23 years of service. He is a retired NCIS investigator and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, with numerous meritorious commendations and awards. He is also a fourth-generation farming South Dakotan. All of that, and Nelson’s service as an elder in his church, father of six, grandfather of one, and his endorsement by the people of his district in the last election were not enough for Rep. Rausch.

Rep. Nelson is currently joining with his constituents in opposing a proposed Hanson County mega dairy (7,000-plus cattle). Protecting his district is his job, and now he is getting payback from the puppets of industrial agriculture for doing so.

I believe Rep. Rausch should reinstate Rep. Nelson immediately. Then Rausch should step aside and let someone fair and impartial be the new speaker of the House.

Jerry Munson is the former mayor of Rapid City.

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