Jim Shaw (politician)

James E. Shaw (born October 30, 1946) is an American politician. He served four terms as mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota, from 1997–1999, 1999–2001 and again from 2003–2005 and 2005–2007. Economic development of Rapid City was a main focus of his administration.[1]

Jim Shaw
Mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota
In office
1997–2001
Preceded byEdward Ralph McLaughlin
Succeeded byJerry Munson
In office
2003–2007
Preceded byJerry Munson
Succeeded byAlan Hanks
Personal details
Born
James E. Shaw

(1946-10-30) October 30, 1946
Elmira, New York

Biography

Shaw was born October 30, 1946 in Elmira, New York. He grew up in Dundee, New York and attended the State University of New York at Fredonia and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Prior to being elected mayor, Shaw was a radio personality and television news anchor on KOTA-TV in Rapid City.[2]

Shaw was part[3] of a statewide, non-partisan effort to persuade the BRAC (Base Realignment Commission) to remove Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City from the list of recommended closures in 2005, according to Pat McElgunn, Military Affairs Chairman of the RC Chamber of Commerce. Shaw, along with U.S. Senators Tim Johnson, John Thune, Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Governor Mike Rounds, testified before the BRAC committee public hearing in Rapid City in favor of keeping Ellsworth open. Later that summer, the BRAC voted to remove Ellsworth from the list of recommended closures, and Shaw called it "a grand and glorious day for our community."[4]

Shaw was arrested on August 11, 2006 and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He claimed that police officers overreacted, and was banned for life from the Iowa State Fair, where the incident occurred.[5] He initially plead not guilty,[6] but later plead guilty and was fined.[7]

In 2009 Shaw was part of a group that purchased the Black Hills Speedway and planned to renovate it in order to attract more visitors.[2] In early January 2010 the Rapid City Journal named him as one of the "Ten in 2010"—ten local residents to watch in the year to follow because they were expected to make news.[8]

Shaw was arrested again in 2012, this time in Rapid City, for speeding. He was also charged with obstruction and failure to yield.[7] Then in 2014, Shaw was fined for disturbing an election. Shaw stated later that year that he was struggling to manage diabetes, on which he blamed his legal troubles.[9]

References
  1. Harvey, Andy (August 27, 2005). "Rapid City Economy To Get Back on Track". KELO-TV. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  2. Holland, Jim (2010-01-03). "Jim Shaw, Black Hills Speedway owner". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  3. Siegel, Robert. "South Dakota Hit Hard by Base Closure". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  4. Siegel, Robert (2005-08-26). "Panel Gives Ellsworth Air Base a Reprieve". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  5. "Rapid City mayor arrested at Iowa State Fair". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. August 18, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2015 – via Google News and HighBeam Research. Alt URL
  6. "Rapid City mayor plans to fight charges lodged at fair". Sioux City Journal. August 20, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  7. Meyer, Holly (June 6, 2012). "Former Rapid City mayor Jim Shaw arrested". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  8. "Ten in 2010: Whom to watch in the coming year". Rapid City Journal. 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  9. Duhamel, Helene (November 26, 2014). "Former mayor says diabetes to blame for outbursts". KOTA. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
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