PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – A week after telling him he did not qualify to appear on the ballot as a candidate for mayor in Pierre, the Pierre City Commission gave Caleb Gilkerson a second opportunity to convince the Commission he resides in Pierre. It was not a trial, but the nearly hour and 45-minute hearing sounded like a courtroom as lawyers questioned witnesses who were sworn in before the Commission. Dick Teizen, who presenting information on behalf of the city says a review of city and county documents show his business address at 511 West Dakota Avenue is not a legal residence.

Gilkerson’s attorney Brad Schriber says the South Dakota Supreme Court has made it clear that the zoning issues are not important.

Commissioner Jim Mehlhaff, who chaired the follow-up hearing in place of Mayor Steve Harding, says the evidence presented indicates to him that Gilkerson does not live at the address he claims.

The Pierre City Commission voted 4-0 to uphold their decision to deny Gilkerson access to the ballot for mayor.

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