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Spotlight on Ranchers.net LB in RCJ article

Cal

Well-known member
Pierre-bound rancher speaks her mind

By Kevin Woster, Journal Staff Writer

Betty Olson and her husband, Reuben, will celebrate their 42nd anniversary Tuesday. That's a fair feat in today's world of break-away commitment and drive-through divorce.
But Betty won't pat herself on the back.

"Reuben's the one who needs congratulations," she said by telephone from the family ranch north of Reva. "He's toughed it out for a long time."

She's kidding, of course - mostly. She does that a lot, mixing self-effacing humor with pointed commentary on the state and its government - as seen from a wind-blown cattle and sheep ranch in eastern Harding County.

Like many of her neighbors, Olson has plenty of opinions on the issues of the day. Unlike her neighbors, she is likely to share them in public venues in ways that are very quotable to reporters and very familiar to her husband.

"I've never been very good at keeping my mouth shut," she said Sunday. "Unfortunately, that means that as soon as things jump into my head, they fly out my mouth."

That's pretty much what happened two years ago during a meeting of a state task force on conflicts between landowners and the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department.

A frequent critic of GF&P policies, Olson spoke at several of those meetings, and in one, she tried to explain why she didn't like the idea of state conservation officers entering her property without permission.

You could summarize her argument in two words, really: nude gardening.

"Here I am, out gardening in the buff, and the conservation officer drives in. That violates my rights," Olson said.

You could argue that there's no clear constitutional right to wander around naked in the tomatoes. But Olson says she was aiming at protecting her private-property rights.

"That's just what came out," she said. "I didn't think about it much. But people sure remember it."

Indeed, they do. They're likely to have more to remember from Olson beginning in January. In her first political campaign, she won the Republican primary last month for the District 28B seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives. She doesn't have an opponent in the general election, so the primary win was a nonstop ticket to Pierre.

Olson topped Bob Drown, a retired Natural Resource Conservation Service employee from Bison, in a primary with lots of road miles and little personal conflict.

"I had a good opponent in Bob Drown. He's a nice guy," Olson said. "We ran a real clean campaign, because I like him and he likes me."

District 28B covers all of Harding and Perkins counties, most of Butte and Corson counties and a bit of Meade County. In winning with 890 votes to 765 for Drown, Olson spent $2,381.18, including $1,113.80 for advertising, $300 for printing, and $806.11 for travel.

And there was plenty of travel on those long, lonesome highways.

"I knew maybe six people in Corson County, so I had to get over there," Olson said. "It's a long drive, and you don't get to meet a lot of people when you get there."

Olson used $671.18 in personal funds for the campaign - mostly for gas, she said.

She also spent $25 for "consulting." At least, that's what it said on her state campaign spending report.

During a year when state Sen. Stan Adelstein spent more than $30,000 on professional political consultant fees, Olson's $25 was an eye-catcher.

"Actually, I didn't know much about filling out those spending reports," she said. "The $25 was for an REA campaign school in Rapid City. (Secretary of State) Chris Nelson was there. I learned that we had to put disclaimers on all of our campaign ads."

On her own, she also learned a bit about political action committees and the way they can channel campaign cash through cloudy waters that rise above the donation limits set for individuals.

Olson accepted an offer of $1,000 for her campaign from Republican state Rep. Alan Hanks of District 32, with the money to come from the Rapid City Action Committee overseen by Hanks.

Later, Olson learned that RCAC was funded by the All South Dakota Political Action Committee, which is funded by Adelstein.

Olson is a strong supporter of HB1215, the near-total ban on abortions approved by the state Legislature and up for public vote this fall. When she found out that the RCAC money came from Adelstein, an outspoken opponent of 1215, Olson pondered giving it back.

Then, she decided on a different response.

"I badmouthed Adelstein and got the money anyway," she said. "My education is expanding."

The main course starts next January, when Olson gets sworn in as a House member for the 82nd South Dakota legislative session. She's hoping to land a seat on the House Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee, which handles issues important to the farm-and-ranch community, including GF&P affairs.

"I think that would be interesting," Olson said.

Certainly, it will be, for her and especially for GF&P.

July 24, 2006

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/07/25/news/columns/263woster.txt
 
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Anonymous

Guest
I've never been very good at keeping my mouth shut," she said Sunday. "Unfortunately, that means that as soon as things jump into my head, they fly out my mouth."

Way to go Liberty Belle-- Say it like it is...Some probably won't like it, but your the one who has to look yourself in the mirror.... :wink:

"Here I am, out gardening in the buff, and the conservation officer drives in. That violates my rights," Olson said.

I guess this one depends more on who you are and how you look-- but I know it worked good for me to keep the Jehovahs ladies away- ain't seen them since in years.... :wink: :lol: :lol:
 

Liberty Belle

Well-known member
LB, what do you think about the "manditory" ID program?
Econ, as far as I’m concerned we already have mandatory ID in the western half of our state. It’s a hot iron brand. Cattle don’t lose them, you need no expensive technology to read them, and folks have gone to jail (or have been hung!) for altering them. We just need to expand the brand inspection law to cover the whole state and we've got the problem solved.
 

Liberty Belle

Well-known member
LB: "Here I am, out gardening in the buff, and the conservation officer drives in. That violates my rights," Olson said.
Oldtimer says: I guess this one depends more on who you are and how you look-- but I know it worked good for me to keep the Jehovahs ladies away- ain't seen them since in years....
I have had neighbors tell me they are going to call before they drive in because, and I quote, "There are just some things you shouldn't have to see!" :shock:

Although a guy from the Wildlife Federation, who is on the opposite side of the private property rights issue, wants to come "look at my tomatoes!?" :oops:
 

katrina

Well-known member
Way to goooooooo LB......... Keep us informed.... Maybe a journal right here on ranchersnet. Life as a politician, or The ins and outs of a represenitive of the State of South Dakota....
 

Econ101

Well-known member
Liberty Belle said:
LB, what do you think about the "manditory" ID program?
Econ, as far as I’m concerned we already have mandatory ID in the western half of our state. It’s a hot iron brand. Cattle don’t lose them, you need no expensive technology to read them, and folks have gone to jail (or have been hung!) for altering them. We just need to expand the brand inspection law to cover the whole state and we've got the problem solved.

Thanks, LB. The article was good and I hope you keep true to yourself no matter who is looking in your backyard. Maybe they shouldn't snoop.

I am concerned about the manditory ID program by the USDA as I see it can be used by the big boys in manipulating the market. Brands have a hard time being manipulated.

Keep up the good work.
 

IL Rancher

Well-known member
Just curious, but most don't brand sheep (Would be hard to read underneath all the wool :shock:) so what is the proposal for ovines and such if you were to use cattle brands as ID? Just use the scrapie tags?

We have actually though about branding our calves here even though Illinois doesn't have any branding law except to say that you don't havet o do it... Thought it might come in usefull with potential neighbors pulling calves under the fence...
 

passin thru

Well-known member
LB, glad to see your opinion on branding............in facts you are dead on on many issues. Thanks for your level head on here. Oh, and don't get a sunburn
 

Brad S

Well-known member
Congratulations indeed LB. I was worried that you were too outspoken to be electable - glad to be mistaken. That sense of humor will come in handy.

From my understanding of the harvesting end of beef production, a hot iron brand won't sufficiently id cattle in case of some contaminations. First time I ever disagreed with LB, but an honest difference of conclusion is no biggie.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
You're first class, Liberty Belle. Although I'd never wish it on you, I can already tell that they need to start making room for you in Washington, too. Your constituents just might demand it someday.

I hope that I can claim to know you by the time you get to be one of the US Senators from South Dakota. Best of luck to you. :D
 

Cal

Well-known member
I think all of us normal, logical, folk are plum proud of LB...and kind of wondering how she might redecorate the Governors Mansion. :wink:
 

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