By Jolene Farley
Steen Mayor Mel Van Batavia goes above and beyond the call of duty when needed. He takes calls from residents who call when they need dead squirrels removed from their mailboxes or when they want to complain about dogs "depositing" on their lawns.
Talking to people is what Van Batavia enjoys the most about his job as mayor of this community of 192. "Trying to keep the town running smoothly, you get to talk to everyone," said Van Batavia. "They always come to you if they want something."
It all started seven years ago when Steen needed a mayor. Van Batavia, who owns M & M Repair in Steen, was asked to take the job three times before he finally gave in.
"Since then I've always just re-run and never had anyone run against me," he said.
Van Batavia said Steen used to be a retirement community, but recently young families are moving to town. Most work in Sioux Falls and came in search of cheaper housing.
Some of Van Batavia's goals for Steen are to pay off the city's debt, blacktop the roads and upgrade the sewer system. He would also like to see more businesses locate in town. He said when the feed store and elevator closed it really hurt the town.
According to the most recent census, Steen has enjoyed a population boom. Steen is at 192 residents, up from 160 residents 15 years ago.
Van Batavia would also like to see property values continue to increase. When he began his term as mayor, properties were literally selling for hundreds of dollars rather than the thousands they sell for now. He approached homeowners and told them they didn't have to sell so cheaply.
Demand has increased so homes don't stay empty for long, according to Van Batavia. "It seems like there is a real demand for homes in smaller towns," he said.
He is proud that a new home has been built in Steen almost every year since he took office.
"I know everyone in town, the number of kids they have, the name of their dogs and cats and the make of their cars because they all bring them (the cars) here," said Van Batavia.
Residents of Steen feel safe leaving their children home because they know their neighbors will automatically look out for them, Van Batavia said.
Van Batavia was born and raised in Beaver Creek and moved to Steen in 1964, after buying the auto repair shop from Clarence Erickson. He built his current building on Steen's Main Street 10 years ago.
Van Batavia's business is about 99 percent auto repair, but he has fixed washing machines, vacuum cleaners or whatever else came along.
Van Batavia enjoys fishing so much that he recently added a fishing tackle section to his business - kind of a novelty in a town with no lake. Friends call it Mel's Cabela's, after the national hunting and fishing retailer.
Van Batavia and his wife, Minnie, have four boys, one married and three attending Hills-Beaver Creek school.