April 4, 2017• Page 6 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Juvenile Justice Reforms Showing Promising Results By Gov. Dennis Daugaard This week, the juvenile justice reform oversight council released its first annual report. The report encapsulates the progress made in the first full year of implementation of the 2015 Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Before the 2015 reforms went into effect, South Dakota had the second highest juvenile commitment rate in the country and was 188 percent above the national average. This ranking was not explained by a higher rate of juvenile violence. In fact, South Dakota’s juvenile violence arrest rate was just one-third of the national average. Our high commitment rate was driven by nonviolent offenses. Seven of every 10 youth committed to the Department of Corrections in 2013 were sent to them for misdemeanor offenses, probation violations and “status offenses” – violations which, if committed as an adult, would not even be considered crimes. The status offenders were removed from their homes and sent to the Department of Corrections solely for disciplinary reasons, not to rehabilitate them. The 2015 reforms restored the Department of Corrections to the role it was designed to fulfill – a correctional entity for serious or dangerous offenders. Now, only those juveniles fitting that description can be committed. However, just because a non-violent youth isn’t committed to DOC does not mean that he or she will not face consequences. Just like Newton’s third law of motion, there is an equal and opposite reaction for every action. Every time a juvenile misbehaves, there is an appropriate response to that behavior. The reforms established a graduated response matrix to help address bad behavior and incentivize good behavior. In addition to the response matrix, the juvenile reforms provided a number of effective programs for youth offenders, including community-based programs to address substance abuse, antisocial tendencies or challenges within the family. The programs allow youth to get the help they need without being removed from their homes. While I realize it is easier to incarcerate misbehaving youth, it comes at the expense of the child. Our Midwestern work ethic doesn’t urge us to do things the “easy” way – in South Dakota we do things the “right” way. Addressing behavioral concerns in the community allows juvenile offenders to remain in school, gain employment and avoid future delinquency. As the numbers indicate, the reforms are working. Since the passage of the reforms, new commitments to DOC have declined 43 percent and the number of recommitments has declined 62 percent, from FY 14 to FY 16. Nearly 70 percent of diversions from the juvenile justice system during that time period were completed successfully, and 94 percent of youth completed their term of probation. It is still very early, and it will take some time before we see the full impact of these reforms. Still, early indications are hopeful, and I am committed to executing these new policies well. The system may not be perfect, but the data shows that we can successfully and efficiently discipline juveniles in the community. Weekly Column: Saving Families Money With A Pro-Energy Agenda By Rep. Kristi Noem If you’re a family making less than $50,000 annually in South Dakota, you likely spend double the national average on energy every year. It’s one of the largest monthly expenses for many, so if we have the opportunity to drive those costs down, we ought to take it. When former President Obama was first running for office, he outlined an energy agenda that, as he said, would “necessarily skyrocket” electricity rates. Over the course of the next eight years, his administration implemented provisions that made affordable energy more and more difficult to access. His boldest move promised to increase costs by as much as $17 billion nationwide and put a quarter-million people out of work annually, according to some estimates. In South Dakota, analysts believed the plan would force electricity prices to rise 30 percent on average and 36 percent during peak times. In addition to being costly, many questioned whether President Obama’s regulatory actions were within the Executive Branch’s authority. As a result, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked the administration’s proposal and Congress passed legislation to stop it, although President Obama chose to veto that effort. I believe our energy challenges can be solved, but the answer is innovation, not regulation. I’ve been very encouraged by the Trump administration’s actions on this front. In late-March, President Trump signed new Executive Orders to roll back many of the Obama administration’s overreaching energy regulations and I was honored to join Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke hours later as he signed Secretarial Orders reflecting that same agenda. Their actions help clear a path so marketdriven ideas can lead the way forward. By prioritizing innovation, I’m optimistic we’ll see lower costs, a revved up economy that supports good jobs and higher wages, and a decrease in our reliance on foreign energy from volatile regions of the globe. I’m also hopeful that by allowing innovation to lead, we’ll be able to strike a balance between energy production and environmental protection in a way that doesn’t cripple the economy. There is almost no profession that values the sustainability and integrity of the land than a farmer or rancher. Our livelihoods depend on it. During planting season when I was a kid, I remember climbing into the tractor to take over for my dad and almost always finding a tiny, purple prairie pasque inside. My dad loved that flower and told me countless times how special it was, as it seemed to grow best on native grasslands. It’s an image I don’t forget. American ingenuity can address even the toughest challenges, but I don’t believe the government is the best facilitator for that innovation. Instead, we need to give folks the freedom to pursue smarter technologies and finally drive down energy costs for South Dakota families. MV Shopper CLASSIFIEDS Looking For A NEW HOME? M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Check Out www.JWTramp.com IN PRINT & ONLINE JOB To place your ad call... 605.665.5884 OPPORTUNITIES • Tube Machine • Paint is hiring Operators • Steel Prep • Summer Help • Assembly Project Foreman/Operator Full time position, CDL required 605-689-2005 2503 Fox Run Pkwy. Ste. #4 Yankton, SD 57078 EOE. NO FEES. Apply online at asinc.net LEWIS & CLARK HYDRAULIC CO. has the following openings: • Painter – 1st shift • Assembly, Machining, and Welding – 2nd shift 1st shift hours are 7 am to 3:30 pm Monday – Friday. 2nd shift hours are 3:30 pm to 1:30 am Monday – Thursday. Experience beneficial, but not required. Excellent wages and benefit package Check us out at www.princehyd.com Please apply at: Lewis and Clark Hydraulic Co. 2210 Kellen Gross Drive Yankton, SD 57078 Or at www.princehyd.com Full time position, CDL required Pre-employment drug screen and background check required Call 605-267-2768 Email xkv8tor@yahoo.com Concrete Materials of Yankton is looking for drivers for our Ready Mix trucks Class B CDL and DOT Medical card required or must be able to obtain. This is for local deliveries only and you are home every night. If you would like to know more, visit our website at www.cmcsd.com or stop by our location at 2210 Alumax Rd., Yankton, SD 605-665-2475 Wage Starting.95 16 $ & Up EOE and Drug Free Workplace $500 retention bonus available DOQ Shipout Coordinator Will assist with shipping of new equipment, packing, crating, and export packaging. Will coordinate loading of equipment to ensure all requirements are met, and maintain bill of ladings. Requirements include computer skills, communication skills, experience, ability to lift 50 lbs., and operate a forklift. Associates will be rewarded with an attractive & competitive wage, medical/dental/vision/life/disability benefits after 30 days, paid vacation after 6 months, and 10 paid holidays/year. Apply at: Kolberg-Pioneer, Inc. www.missourivalleyshopper.com In Print and Online! Call 665-5884 Truck Driver/Operator Post offer / pre-employment physical and drug screen required. Premier worldwide manufacturer of heavy equipment has the following Full-Time Day Shift Position available: The right job is just one click away. and PRODUCTION WORKERS Academic Coordinator-Registrar Mount Marty College invites applications for a half-time Academic Coordinator position. This position is responsible for providing timely and accurate customer service to those who visit/call the Registrar’s office and provide support to the Registrar in the student enrollment process. The selected individual should have professional demeanor, excellent customer service skills, and strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills. The successful candidate will also have great attention to detail, ability to use independent judgement and manage and impart confidential information. A Bachelor’s degree preferred or experience in higher education setting. Please send a letter of application, resume, and three references to: Julie Dather, Director of Human Resources, at hr@mtmc.edu or mail to Mount Marty College, 1105 West 8th St., Yankton, SD 57078. 700 W. 21st St., Yankton, SD 57078 personnel@kolbergpioneer.com • www.kpijci.com EEO MMC is an EEO Employer www.mtmc.edu finding the right job is easier than you think when you’ve got the right direction Stop searching. The Help Wanted section of the Missouri Valley Shopper lists many possible new job opportunities. Find a career that’s right for you. MV Shopper Come Work with the Best! MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Sunset Manor Avera is now accepting applications for the following positions to join our excellent team of caring professionals: LPN or RN Charge Nurse Full-time night shift position available Certified Nursing Assistant Full-time day & night shift positions available Housekeeping/ Laundry Assistant Part-time position available Cook Part-time position available To apply go to Avera.org or contact the Personnel Office at Sunset Manor, Irene, SD at (605)263-3318 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Seasonal Drivers Wanted at our Gayville and Spink Locations! Potential for Full Time Great Pay! Plus Overtime. Sign on bonuses and an end of season bonus program. A CDL is not required to start work. We will help you get the proper certifications. Must have a clean driving record. 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