From Tom Lawrence, former Mayor Sam Kooiker of Rapid City heads home to Iowa to become a city manager:
Kooiker, unseated this summer by former police chief Steve Allender, is departing from Rapid City and headed home to his native state of Iowa. He will remain in government, but not as an elected official.
It was announced Monday he will be the new city administrator in Cherokee, Iowa, as of Jan. 1, although he will work with the retiring city official starting in December.and…
Kooiker had an interesting coalition of support in Rapid City, somehow combining social conservatives, Native Americans and small-government advocates. As he likes to say, he finished first in four of the six mayoral elections he was in and was undefeated in his council races.
I had to chuckle – I actually know where that is! I drive through there every once in a blue moon when I go to Ft. Dodge to see relatives. I might just have to stop for a cup of coffee!
But, I’m also a little melancholy. There will be an open seat in his legislative district that I was sure he might have had his name ready to be stenciled on it.
But life is funny that way. Sometimes, as we muddle through our lives, as doors close, new and unexpected ones open. And we find ourselves going places we might have never expected.
Huge congratulations to Sam on his new position!
Pat and Tom, thanks for the post and for keeping me sharp all these years. It’s been such a privilege to serve Rapid City. I am very excited about this new opportunity in Cherokee, a community I have long admired. Best wishes to you. PS. There is a great coffee shop a 1/2 block from Cherokee City Hall. Come see me sometime. Sam
I dont think in my entire political career was I ever so disappointed in Sam Kookier. We all loved him as a leader in the Wing nuts movement. We all looked to him for direction and courage. A leader in the conservative movement. He was the go to guy for advice and strength of conviction. Sam changed so much we could not understand what happened to him. politics changes people. Sam was no exception. None the less Sam is a great guy. and I too wish him the best. Senator Bill Napoli Retired.
Bill, I respectfully submit you are full of nonsense, and anger, and you are also disrespectful. I never mis-spelled your last name just to insult you but you do it all the time to me. You and Stan were two of the most difficult people to deal with in town. I liked both of you and you both then hated me because I liked the other. There is no compromise with you Bill, and there also is little participation either. You were offered a seat at the Civic Center debate and you walked away and complained instead. As my favorite comedian would say, I am sure you and Stan will miss me now that the sight has been removed from your gun. Nonetheless, I also will miss you and the energetic conversations and arguments we had.