Top News
Bear Butte no-alcohol zone dies
del.icio.us
Digg
NewsVine
FarkPIERRE--A proposal to create a four-mile no-alcohol zone around Bear Butte was killed in a legislative committee Tuesday morning in Pierre.
Rep. Gordon Howie, R-Rapid City, called the bill “an absolute assault on property rights.”
The House Local Government Committee voted 11 to 2 to deny the bill a vote on the floor of the House this session.
Rep. Jim Bradford, D-Pine Ridge, sponsored the measure, House Bill 1227, saying Bear Butte was sacred to many Indian tribes.
Indians often pray on Bear Butte, usually in quiet solitude, but in recent years campgrounds, bars and concert venues catering to the Sturgis motorcycle rally have been built closer and closer to the butte.
Bradford said prohibiting alcohol sales within four miles of the butte, except where that area is inside Sturgis city limits, would help restore quiet to a religious site.
Rep. Alan Hanks, R-Rapid City, told supporters of the measure that a state law passed last year allowing counties to create special zoning districts could be used to create regulations around Bear Butte. “I think we gave the local folks the tools they need to address this,” Hanks said.
Kirk Chaffee, equalization director for Meade County, said he was working on proposals for special zones near Ellsworth Air Force Base (to control development off the end of the runway), along the Interstate 90 corridor (to manage fast growth) and near Bear Butte.
But Chaffee pointed out that prohibiting liquor licenses within four miles of Bear Butte would affect 16 current license holders.
The Meade County Commission has repeatedly refused to deny liquor licenses in the area just because they are close to Bear Butte.
Rep. Thomas Van Norman, D-Eagle Butte, who also spoke in favor of the measure, said after the hearing that the committee had misinterpreted liquor licenses.
“You don’t have a right to have one,” he said. “You have to get permission from the county.”
Contact Bill Harlan at 394-8424 or at bill.harlan@rapidcityjournal.com
The opinions above are from readers of rapidcityjournal.com and in no way represent the views of the Rapid City Journal or Lee Enterprises.
Rapidcityjournal.com provides this community forum for readers to exchange ideas and opinions on the news of the day. Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude language and personal abuse are not welcome. Moderators will monitor comments with an eye toward maintaining a high level of civility in this forum. Our comment policy explains the rules of the road for registered commenters.
If you don't see your comment, perhaps...
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy