Senator Frank Kloucek sends out a press release on Ridgefield

Posted by PP at the SDWC

March 28, 2007

In a press release issued today, Democratic State Senator Frank Kloucek is taking his case for the public to be concerned about Ridgefield to the Government Operations and Audit Committee.

Senator Kloucek Requests Government Operations and Audit Committee Investigate Ridgefield Farms State investment issues

March 26th 2007
News Release: for immediate release,
for more info call Senator Frank@ 583-4468

Senator Frank Kloucek formally requested that the Government operations and Audit committee do an in depth investigation of state involvement in the Ridgefield farms investment issues. Kloucek said, “I presented a formal written request for a Ridgefield investigation based on advice from the Legislative Research Council. The time has come to hold hearings and demand full accountability of the Dept. of Agriculture and Governors Office of Economic Development. Those development dollars, staff time, resources and direct state involvement cry for full disclosure and transparency. We must follow the Ridgefield money trail to wherever it leads us to make sure there were no laws broken. Also we must work to provide remedies to keep such a fiasco of this magnitude from ever happening again!!” concluded Senator Kloucek. Senator Kloucek presented his letter to the committee at approximately 4pm March 26th In LCR ROOM 1. AT 4; 45 pm today Senator Kloucek also met with Gail Sheppick Securities commissioner for the state of South Dakota and presented him with more Ridgefield Documentation and three questions from Mr Elliot[ a Ridgefield investor] surrounding the Ridgefield investment timelineand state involvement. [GOAC letter enclosed]

March 26th 2007

Honorable Representative Deb Peters and Honorable Senator Jason Gant
Chairpersons of Senate and House Government Operations and Audit Committees
500 East Capitol Pierre South Dakota 57501

Dear Senator Gant and Representative Peters:

Please consider this a formal request for the Joint Government Operations and Audit Committee of the South Dakota Legislature to hold hearings on the Ridgefield Farms investment issue. The hearings should focus on Governors Office of Economic Development and South Dakota Dept. of Agriculture involvement, decision making and money trail as it evolved from beginning proposals to final dissolution of Ridgefield Farms. I have given each of you some limited information as provided to me by investor Ben Elliot, as well as three questions he raised concerning this issue.

There is much more information available should you wish to pursue this issue. There are huge issues involved here with the use of GOED and Dept of Agriculture funds, resources, staff, staff time and the whole decision making process concerning such projects. There is no doubt that huge mistakes were made. Were laws broken and what the legislature can do to prevent or minimize such financial losses in the future are valid questions that I wish your committee to address. Thank you for your time and just consideration!

Sincerely;

Senator Frank Kloucek

Are we going to take bets on whether or not they hit on that topic? As Frank continues to try to grab headlines with this issue, does he have yet to gain any traction?

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