Pennington County rewrites controversial bus assistance letter

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Pennington County's Health and Human Services Office responded to public scrutiny of the wording of their bus ticket assistance program letter by revising that letter earlier this week.

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The Pennington County Transportation Assistance Program provides help to people hoping to reconnect with friends, family or other support systems outside of Rapid City, one of which being their bus ticket assistance program.

The wording of that letter recently created concern, which led to its revision.

KOTA Territory spoke with Barry Tice the director of Pennington County Human Services and the Veterans Service over the phone. He said he was not sure who wrote the letter that included the line.

"I understand I am unable to return to Pennington County, and I am not eligible for any additional service now or in the future."

Tice said after being notified the original letter was circulating on social media, his office took quick action to rewrite it.

The letter now reads, "By accepting this assistance, I understand that this bus ticket support is intended as a one-time service. I acknowledge that my use of this service may preclude me from receiving bus ticket assistance in the future at the discretion of Pennington County Human Services."

Tice said the original wording of "I understand I am unable to return to Pennington County" was for anyone who would be looking for another bus ticket, and did not mean they could never return to Pennington County at all.