BROOKINGS (8-25-26) — During their August 25 meeting, the Brookings City Council unanimously voted against appointing Jeff Struwe to the Brookings Human Rights Commission.
On August 4, the Brookings County Commission voted unanimously to nominate Struwe. The appointment also required City Council approval.
Brookings Mayor Ope Niemeyer made a motion for the City Council to consider Struwe’s appointment… “As a courtesy to the city’s partners at Brookings County, I am bringing their recommendation to the council for consideration. The Human Rights Commission has a responsibility to promote human and civil rights, discourage discrimination and make Brookings an inclusive and welcoming … community. I do not believe the candidate’s past public comments and expressed views reflect the purpose or and the intent of the Human Rights Commission. In full transparency, I do not personally support this appointment. I will be voting no on this appointment, and I would ask the County Commission to provide an alternative recommendation.”
City Council Member Lisa Hager said Struwe’s divisive public statements disqualify him… “Through his various comments on public record, it is clear he will not advance the Human Rights Commission’s mission that is centered on ‘fighting discrimination’ and ensuring that Brookings is an ‘inclusive and welcoming community.’ In my opinion, this mission is not partisan or ideological and is unifying across most of the political spectrum. It’s about being a good neighbor and treating people how you would want to be treated. Unfortunately the County Commission chose to make this political.”
Deputy Mayor Nick Wendell said the County Commission is weaponizing this appointment to make a political statement… “I’m exhausted, and I think a lot of you are exhausted by life these days. That every issue becomes divisive, and partisan and politicized — even something as simple as the appointment to a local board, or committee or commission has become intentionally weaponized by elected officials to test their colleagues.”
Several times this summer, Struwe has gone before the County Commission and alleged Brookings Public Library offers pornographic material. He has asked the county to withhold library funding on that basis.
Struwe also unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for District 7 State House in 2024. He was defeated in the primary election by incumbent Republicans Roger DeGroot and Mellissa Heermann.
— Brookings Radio News
