Editorial Board

Issue: The upcoming election of Brookings city council members.

On April 14, Brookings will hold an election for its city government.

People like Scott Munsterman and Ryan Brunner will continue on as others move to fill their vacancies. Both have numerous accolades attached to their names. Neither slouched in public opinion, and in our opinion, served their constituents well. Munsterman ran the city during the formation of the Innovation Campus, which could prove a boom for SDSU research and city economics. Brunner holds a large section of responsibility for the Wellness Center. For us, we feel their work to further both the city and its university was paramount. With less than a week before the election, we’d like to offer our short list of important topics we want the next term.

Brookings is a small city. From end to end, a drive takes no longer than 15-20 minutes. However, as student populations grow on and around campus, this younger generation looks for cheap ways to get around. Bike lanes offer a cheap and easy way for students and other residents alike to get places without a car. The plans are drawn up, so let’s move forward as soon as weather allows.

Student housing is always a concern. As apartments and houses sustain years of collegiate punishment, city leadership needs to be vigilant and persistent. Bad landlords and unsafe housing is a problem that will never go away. Current regulations and legislations work the majority of the time. Apart from the rare housing nightmare, students are finding safe places to live. We ask that it stay that way.

The university offers the city some unique opportunities. Instead of a costly, new football stadium, the high school has access to SDSU’s Coughlin Alumni Stadium. Currently, groups like the Brookings Community Theater used Doner Auditorium for events. Unfortunately, the aforementioned venue is not completely up to safety codes. Phase II construction of the Performing Arts Center will replace the beleaguered auditorium and offer both parties expanded opportunities for entertainment and culture. While the Swiftel Center could use a hotel expansion, would it not be prudent to invest in a commodity like creative students?

We are proud of the work done for both Brookings and SDSU and excited about the future. Tim Reed, the mayoral heir apparent, spoke in front of the Students’ Association on April 6. He does not want Brookings to “be a Watertown or Sioux Falls.” For him, Brookings needs to be special from other cities. What makes Brookings special? “SDSU.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Good luck to you, Mayor-elect Reed and the newest city officials.

Stance: Relations between SDSU and the city of Brookings have blossomed in recent years. The new council members will hopefully continue what people like Munsterman and Brunner strived to accomplish.