The perception of solid leadership in Rapid City government has taken a lot of hits in the last year or so.

In February 2006, Alderman Bob Hurlbut was arrested for DUI in downtown Rapid City; breathalyzer results indicated a blood-alcohol concentration more than three times the legal limit. To his credit, however, he took his medicine, readily admitted guilt and didn't try to weasel out of it.

Last summer, Mayor Jim Shaw was arrested at the Iowa State Fair for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. There were conflicting accounts as to what actually happened, and Shaw ended up pleading guilty to disorderly conduct because he felt fighting the charge would have taken too much time away from his mayoral duties.

Then came the Michael Schumacher/Sam Kooiker/Jim Shaw campaign confusion. It seems to have come to nothing but left the appearance of avarice and a potential conflict of interest.

Next were reports of an amended campaign finance report concerning Kooiker that was filed by a supporter of Mayor Shaw's re-election. Kooiker said he believes the amendment may have been intended to smear him in his challenge for mayor.

There was the story of the childish, anonymous e-mails Schumacher sent criticizing Deb Hadcock. Hadcock publicly speculated that Kooiker might have been involved in other secretive e-mails, but Kooiker denies any involvement.

There's also the mess of the civic center expansion with a ballooning budget and the hoopla over spendy skyboxes.

Last month we learned that the council had rejected a request from the Heritage Festival for more funds, which would have equaled what the council gave to the Festival of Presidents. This leaves the impression of favoritism.

And, of course, there is the matter of marathon council meetings. The Journal did a comparison that showed Rapid City's meetings averaging 4.5 hours last year, with similar cities averaging about two hours. Consistently protracted meetings indicate a malfunction somewhere.

All this bickering and unsightly behavior by the city leadership as a group leaves the impression of disorganized and unstable management. Perceptions, right or wrong, do have mileage.

I'm not sure who's innocent and who's at fault, but we should be able to expect better from elected officials. My intent here isn't to place blame on any particular person or persons, and I don't have an axe to grind with any of the city leadership. The few dealings I've had with any of them have been positive. But corporately, the events of the last year don't exactly inspire a lot of confidence.

New and existing businesses in Rapid City deserve reliable, competent city leadership. The taxpayers are also entitled to professionalism and a higher standard from their leaders. Perhaps just biting the tongue in public and being more aware of perceptions is a start.

Hopefully, those who prevail in the June 5 city election will put aside personal differences and make the stature of city government a higher priority.

We have a great city; we don't want to give anyone a reason to think otherwise.

Bob Ellis lives and works in Rapid City. Write to bobellis@dakotavoice.com.