Governor Kristi Noem’s office announced today that a RFP is going to be coming out for a security fence around the Governor’s residence, which her security team has deemed absolutely necessary, due to threats against the Governor.
In a note from Senior Advisor & Policy Director Maggie Seidel to members of the media this morning, Seidel noted that at least part of the cost would be offset by donations from South Dakotans, many of whom contributed to the construction of the residence itself:
It’s no secret that a few individuals don’t like some of the decisions the Governor has made on behalf of the people of South Dakota during this pandemic and otherwise. In America, we debate issues; we don’t turn to violence. But it only takes one, and per the Governor’s security team, putting up a fence around the residence is critical at this time.
The good news is that there are a number of South Dakotans, many of whom supported the construction of the Governor’s Residence, who have told us that they would like to support this construction project. While this will not cover the entire cost, we are pleased that their generosity will help to reduce the state cost. Their support will also help us ensure that the design is suitable for the Capitol complex grounds.
As I’ve noted in the past, the biggest surprise is that it’s taken until now to install a fence. But, these are the times we live in.
Continue to read this site for more information on the project!
Can’t we just make Mexico pay for it?
As a former Pierre resident who visited the Governor’s residence in high school during the Kneip years, I have always been vehemently opposed to turning the residence into a walled off home from the rest of the community. I remember looking up the Kneip number in the phone book, calling and hearing the Governor yell “Keith, phone.”
While I think Pierre is still the same town and the Governor and family are safe from people who live there, in general, society has become course where violence against those with whom there is disagreement seems justified. The BLM speaker the other day who said the looting was justified as a form a reparations (which is ironic since much of the civil rights movement was to prevent mob violence against others) is just one example of the need for protection against mob violence. The shooting of Representative Scalise is also a reminder.
So, as hard as it is for me to say, I think we live in a world which a fence is justified. I hope the design will be such it doesn’t wall off visually the residence from the community. It is good if the Governor is one of us and we one with the Governor.
Lars Herseth told me that when his dad was governor, Lars would try and shoot geese with a bow and arrow behind the mansion. If this fence is done right, it could be a great blind for geese coming off of Capitol Lake.
It’s about time! I said that before when the first fence was proposed. Too many people visit that place for safety not to be a priority. This Governor has been very good about inviting organizations and school teams to the residence for congratulatory events … they deserve to be safe as well. It just takes one and the mansion could be full of schoolchildren or other visitors. Only short-sighted people are against this. Kudos to her security team for pushing this forward.
From my Facebook post:
Truth: The fence is NOT for “Noem’s home.” Kristi Noem’s “home” is some 200 miles east of PIerre. The fence to be built will to protect the GOVERNOR’S MANSION in Pierre. The Governor’s Mansion is provided by the State of South Dakota for the Governor in office. It is only Governor Noem’s home in Pierre while she is the duly elected Governor of South Dakota. (When she leaves office in 2026 after her second term, she will vacate the Governor’s Mansion.)
Truth: In light of the turbulent, more violent and divisive times in which we live (at least in part due to the radical left-wing press including the likes of Groves and their doting co-conspirators), it is our responsibility to provide a safe and defendable residence for our Governor and her family while serving the people of South Dakota. We have only to take note of the violent tactics employed by Antifa and BLM to underscore what needs to be done here.
This security fence is long overdue and I thank those who have contributed in any way to make this happen. Kudos to you all!!!
“Antifa” (which really isn’t much of a thing) has never killed anyone, you schmuck. Meanwhile right-wing domestic terrorists have killed hundreds.
“According to a 2017 Government Accountability Office report, 73% of violent extremist incidents that resulted in deaths since September 12, 2001 were caused by right-wing extremist groups.” – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-wing_terrorism#United_States
I’d be more worried about some west river “sovereign citizen” kook escalating a beef with the gov than some nebulous “antifa” black bloc starting anything.
Ike, Thanks for the gratuitous “schmuck” insult. I love you too. But to the point, it matters not which extremist wacko decides to attack the Governor or her family or to destroy or deface our Governor’s residence in Pierre. The Governor and our property need to be protected.
By the way, Antifa is real and quite a “thing.”
“Antifa” is not a thing in this sense because there’s no organization, no membership, no goals – it’s just a catch-all name for anyone who claims to fight “fascism” which is another catch-all term for using violence to enforce social inequalities. Given your own fascist slant, I can see where you might see enemies everywhere, but you can safely sleep at night knowing “antifa” isn’t coming for you. Hell, *I* am “antifa”. WW2 was full of “antifa” peeps. Anyone who’s NOT “antifa” is, de-facto, a fascist – or at least a supporter of using violence to enforce inequality (think Muslims, LGBTQ, PoC, Catholics, etc.)
And “schmuck” is entirely appropriate given your own words on the oppression and mistreatment of your fellow humans. The FHA is literal human trash, and you’re very much responsible. That doesn’t mean I would wish you ill, it just means I don’t really like you very much. It also doesn’t mean that we’d never have common ground or the inability to come to mutually beneficial solutions to other issues.
So no, Ed. “Antifa” isn’t really a thing.
So Ike, Antifa has “no membership, no goals?” Hahaha. They just spontaneously travel to incite rioting without funding or a leadership? Their obvious goal is to overthrow the US Government. Your naivety is showing.
(BTW, I do not represent or speak for FHA.)
I appreciate that you don’t wish me ill, neither do I wish ill for you. Liking me is not necessary and common ground may not be attainable. But I do insist on speaking the truth and whether or not you like it, I will continue to shine a light in the darkness of your worldview.
Yes, Ed. “Antifa” spontaneously travel to places like Charlottesville, VA to confront literal Nazis, but there is no umbrella organization, no uniting manifesto, and no leadership on a scale that would allow anyone to “overthrow” our government. You’re blaming “antifa” for rioting, looting, and burning stuff, but that’s not “antifa” – it’s hooligans, thieves, and miscreants.
See, you’re using the term “antifa” completely wrong. Protesters are not all “antifa”, and “antifa” doesn’t want to overthrow the government (though there may be some in the “movement” who would very much like to). There’s not anywhere near that level of coordination, funding, membership, or overarching goals that unite several disparate groups… groups who may not even call themselves “antifa”. The whole idea is a made-up scare tactic.
“Antifa” is about as frightening as the Boogaloo goobers – it’s a meme, not a movement.
Ok. Yeah sure. What color is the sky in your world, Ike?
It’s a lovely shade of blue, Ed. I can’t be sure of what you’re seeing.
When I was in 9th grade, on Friday’s as there was a varsity game that night, we ran from our football practice facility (Hyde Park) across the western edge of the Governor’s back yard to the varsity practice facility at Riggs to use their blocking sleds and other equipment.
Has anyone thought of the 9th grade Pierre Football team? Will there be a gate for them? 🙂
As I noted on Facebook, I believe this and the prior governor have had people coming up and knocking on the back patio doors.
Fences make for better neighbors, especially considering this is the state’s chief executive, and there are plenty of nuts in the world.
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A secure mansion is a fine idea, and I don’t think worth getting upset about. I remember a time back when we were an early presidential primary state and the Secret Service came here to protect George H. W. Bush when he spoke to the Legislature. They were amazed how open and non-secure the Capitol premises were. Things haven’t gotten much better.
I think fretting about whether or not to build a security fence is a waste of time. Get it done and let’s discuss bigger issues.