The “Troublemaker” Trap: Why Having the Receipts Makes You the Villain in the Closed Loop
In a healthy county, when two people who have actually seen the “sausage being made” come forward with documented evidence of illegal bylaws and unauthorized taxes, we call them whistleblowers. In the “Closed Loop” of our county, we call them “annoyed troublemakers.”
Our local State’s Attorney has apparently pioneered a bold new legal theory: If you were once on the board, you have no standing to complain when that board breaks the law.
The “Too Close to the Truth” Excuse
The State’s Attorney’s logic is a masterclass in circular reasoning. She argues that because these whistleblowers were “involved” in the district, their evidence of secret meetings and “flat fees” is somehow tainted by their “annoyance.”
Apparently, the only person the State’s Attorney would listen to is someone who knows absolutely nothing about how the road district works. If you have the receipts, you’re a “troublemaker.” If you don’t have the receipts, you’re “uninformed.” It’s the perfect system for ensuring that exactly zero investigations ever happen.
Whistleblowers? Not in This County.
Perhaps someone should send the State’s Attorney a copy of the 2025 South Dakota Whistleblower Protection Acts. These laws were specifically updated to protect people who expose government malfeasance, recognizing that the best evidence usually comes from the people who were in the room.
But why bother with new state laws when you can just turn a blind eye? After all, if the State’s Attorney actually recognized these residents as whistleblowers, she might have to—gasp—do her job and read the bylaws that contradict the South Dakota Constitution.
A Satirical Note to the “Troublemakers”
To the brave residents currently banging their heads against the courthouse door: It’s really too bad for you.
It’s too bad you don’t live in a county where the State’s Attorney believes her Constitutional Oath is a binding contract rather than a suggestion. It’s too bad you don’t live in a county where “backing the blue” includes backing the law-abiding citizens who are being taxed into oblivion by unauthorized boards.
If only you lived in a county where the top prosecutor was as interested in SDCL 31-12A as she is in making sure her inbox stays clear of your pesky “evidence.” But alas, you live here—where being a “whistleblower” is just a fancy word for someone who has worn out their welcome by telling the truth.
The 2026 Reality
As our leaders in Pierre talk about transparency, our local “Watchdog” is curled up for a nap. She doesn’t see whistleblowers; she sees a nuisance. She doesn’t see illegal bylaws; she sees “civil matters.”
If you’re waiting for the State’s Attorney to honor her oath and protect the taxpayers, you might be better off waiting for the road district to actually gravel your road. Both are currently stuck on a sub-base of broken promises.