Protect sense of place, balance at Bear Butte

Belle Fourche recently celebrated their geographic-center-of-our-nation monument. Rep. Herseth-Sandlin voiced "sense of place" and "place of balance" often.

When Indians express this "sense of place" idea, it is met with ho-hum response. Bear Butte is the "sense of place" to many Indian Nations - their "place of (spiritual) balance." Could the Meade County commissioners (and our legislators) come to understand that, and be respectful enough of this important "place" to protect it with the requested buffer zone?

Tenth-century Spain encouraged and experienced profound peaceful multiculturalism. But then came the horrors of the Christian Inquisition slaughter. Though Jews and Muslims had converted to Christianity, they were considered not Christian enough, because they continued with a few of their minor customs/traditions. All parts of their religion were then taken from them. After 1492 (Hello, Columbus!) tolerance in Spain was gone, and intolerance subjugated our Indian Nations until the 1978 Indian Religious Freedom Act.

By making decisions focused on "saloon style" entertainment and on profit, are we still continuing this intolerance?

Indians have given up so much of their original "place" to our dominant culture. They are asking for only a small "place" to pray.

SYLVIA LAMBERT

Interior

M.D. welcomes health care via government

I agree with Sam Hurst's assessment (Sept. 2) of America's health insurance crisis. I recently heard a presidential candidate say, "American's don't want the government controlling their health care." I think if Americans were accurately educated about the health insurance industry's destruction of access to medical care and not manipulated with fear of "socialized medicine", many Americans would welcome guaranteed health care. We already pay hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket in our lifetime for protection from a health catastrophe, which often never occurs. However, if by the grace of God my dollars spent are never used for my own health crisis, I don't mind those dollars shifting to care for my neighbor who might face an accident or cancer diagnosis. I can't see how any politician or caring human being can justify the billions of dollars in profits going into insurance and pharmaceutical company'! s pockets rather than investing in the health of each American citizen.

Our "socialized" fire department responds to emergencies without preapproval and regardless of income. Our tax dollars pay for the right to have this protection. Our system of health care coverage is on fire. I trust our government - the people - to put out the fire.

Nancy Babbitt, MD

Rapid City

Thanks for helping with parade, picnic

I want to thank everyone that helped make the Labor Day Parade and Picnic so successful.

Thank you to all that participated with a special thanks to Earl Dahme for carrying the colors, Juanita and Rob for carrying the Central Labor Banner, the R.C. Police and reserve for blocking and covering the corners and Sergeant Brad for being the lead and contact on this and to Carla for driving Mayor Alan Hanks,

Thank you goes to Rick Livesey who did so much, including cooking with Tom Johnson, who brought the meats, sodas and waters and clean up.

Rick Meyer brought over the second grill and Randy Stainbrook and one of his members for bringing the tables and chairs to the bandshell. Mike Howe and one of the Carpenter Brothers helped with the clean up.

I apologize if I forgot to mention someone but your participation and assistance made this a big deal.

RITCHIE NORDSTROM

Rapid City

Johnson's decisions on press coverage correct

It's great to see Tim Johnson back at work, nine month's after suffering a near fatal brain bleed. He's served in Washington for twenty-one years, but is still very much in touch with South Dakota. Unlike most politicians, Tim doesn't toot his own horn much, but he has shown real courage this year.

The recent "Nightline" program about Tim's recovery showed national media camped outside the hospital when he was first stricken. They were hanging like vultures, knowing that the Senate would turn Republican if Johnson died or resigned. It's understandable that his staff decided to protect him from press interviews during his agonizingly slow recovery.

Now that he's back to work, we should trust that Johnson would make time for South Dakota journalists. When he was out of commission, it was reasonable to only give limited access to one reporter, who had recovered from a traumatic brain injury himself. The purpose was to document Tim's recovery, not to discuss politics. South Dakotans missed Johnson, but did not suffer from the decision to limit media access to him.

JAY DAVIS

Rapid City

Vote yes on Cabela's referendum for future

Even if the land that the City wants to transfer to Cabela's were worth two or three or four times as much as the price the city negotiated, it would still be a great deal for Rapid City.

Cabela's and the related stores, hotels and restaurants at that location will generate an increase of $4 million a year in new sales tax revenue for Rapid City. Over 20 years, that's $80 million.

The city, county, and schools will also benefit from increased property taxes. Currently, the 30-acre site is city-owned and pays ZERO property taxes. The remainder of the land for that project is undeveloped and pays $2,721 a year in property taxes. When the development is complete, its assessed value will increase to over $60 million and annual property taxes will increase to $1.4 million in year one, then escalate up to nearly $5 million a year by the 20th year.

In addition, by setting up a TIF in which taxpayers are the beneficiaries, Rapid City will receive $21 million of those increased property taxes to pay for the land, the economic opportunity fund incentive, and the sewer lift station that the site and its neighbors need, with interest.

In other words, Rapid City taxpayers get their money back WITH INTEREST from increased property taxes, and the $80 million in increased sales tax revenue is pure gravy for Rapid City.

As the president of the Black Hills Home Builders Association, I urge you to vote YES on September 18.

Chad Lewis

Rapid City

Think, people, think about Cabela's

Is Menards , J. C. Penny's or Wal-Mart here in Rapid City to do the people here a favor? The answer is no, they are here to take money out of the area, they are here to make a profit. That is the same reason Cabelas will build a store here. The area is ripe for development, and all the different retailers and franchise service people who are going to build businesses here are doing it to make a profit. If they could do it without creating one job or hiring one person they would, and giving them millions of dollars to build their stores doesn't seem very wise to me. They know if they build there store somewhere else they will probably not get your business, and your business is what they are after. They want the Rapid City local area customer. I am pretty sure, without the local Rapid City area customers none of those stores would be here.

You shouldn't be required to pay an exorbitant entrance fee to spend your money.

RICHARD DAVIS

Rapid City

Income, yes, but what about Cabela's costs?

According to the Cabela's real estate director (Sept. 8) he is telling us how great they are and the wonderful things they are going to do for our City. He has all the big numbers to throw around and tells us it's a great deal.

As I sit and look at the article I do not see any costs associated with this deal, only income, no expenses. Now come on there must be some expenses. Like new streets, more police, more water being used, sewer, etc, etc. But Neither Cabela's nor the council or mayor have put out numbers on expenses only income.

Now maybe I just don't know anything about business but I think there are expenses involved in this deal and we are not being told what they are. If they can throw around big numbers for income lets hear some guesses for expenses. Also, he is not comparing apples to apples on the value of the free 30 acres.

And nowhere does he say what a great deal this will be for Cabela's, only what a great deal it is for Rapid City. Cabela's will benefit far more than Rapid City. Vote no.

Larry Hall

Rapid City

No more TIF schemes pushed on taxpayers

I'm not a resident of Rapid City, but am outraged at the TIF schemes being pushed down the throats of taxpayers everywhere. According to Mike Sanborn, the Cabela's project is hunky-dory to the powers that be. Well, it's not. I suggest that voters go into the websites for Hamilton and Marion Counties in Indiana. To pay for $400 million in tax abatements to large corporations there, the property taxes have doubled and tripled in some areas One taxpayers group recently won a lawsuit protesting those raises, and the judge ordered that a percentage of their property taxes be refunded. That won't happen for awhile. The county doesn't have the money. Of course a lot of people couldn't pay these outrageous taxes when they were billed, and simply put their homes up for sale. Many "FOR SALE" signs list the governor's number as the person to contact. The politicians, the developers, and Cabela's are trying to scam you. Don't let them do it. Government has no right to favor any business by offering free property, or tax incentives. Our beautiful area has a lot to offer Cabela's. If they can't afford to build their own store here, let them go elsewhere.

Ilona McDill

Custer

Paying businesses to profit is silly business

The only issue on the September 18th ballot is whether or not to give Cabela's 30 acres of prime commercial land worth $6 to $13 million, plus the $4 million building on that land. Tax Increment Financing worth over $8 million and the $2 million cash gift already given by the city are a done deal and not in question.

Some people are concerned Cabela's will resell this free 30 acres, thus profiting even more than it's $10 to $17 million current worth. I'm more concerned that they won't sell it, keeping it instead as a free buffer zone to prevent future competition and development in this prime business corridor along interstate 90.

The city cannot buy jobs. Business creates jobs to profit from the markup of labor's productivity. Paying venture capitalists and developers to do what they eagerly desire to do for profit is silly and certainly not part of the free enterprise system.

If you feel as I do that the city shouldn't give away the people's property in this cavalier fashion, please vote N0 on September 18th.

BILL STONE

Rapid City

The numbers, again, one more time

The mayor states that 100 percent of the 2 percent sales tax revenue is $4 million annually from Cabela's and from the other new businesses located in the Cabela's project.

Fred Weishaupl's estimate based upon 50 percent of the sales tax revenue from Cabela's store only is $260,000 per year. His projection for 100 percent of the City sales tax is $4 million per year when Cabela's total development project is completed.

Cabela's store represents only 12 percent of the total planned development of 680,000 sq. ft. When 30 acres are fully developed, both parties agree the total annual sales tax revenue to the City will be $4 million per year.

The revised incentive package of $5.7 million is paid back to the city by taxpayers in 22 years from Cabela's store only as estimated by Weishaupl. After complete project development of 680,000 sq. ft., the payback of the $5.7 million takes only 1.4 years at the rate of $4 million per year.

If the city does not transfer the land and Visitors' Center, Cabela's still receives the $2 million in cash as an incentive to come to Rapid City. The city can then sell parcels of the 30 acres to high bidders.

DWAYNE COLEMAN

Rapid City

Carwash kudos go out to YFS supporters

We've rolled up the hoses, emptied and put away the buckets, cleaned and dried the sponges and washcloths, and now it's time to say thanks to everyone who stopped by our recent Youth & Family Services Child Care carwash fundraiser and made it a success.

With your support we were able to raise $323 to help pay for an excursion for children enrolled in our School Age program. We provide educational and recreational activities for children ages 4 weeks to 14 years old at our facility. Each year we conduct a few activities like the carwash to raise funds for our program and increase the community's awareness of who we are and what we offer. The kids also enjoy working together and participating in a fun activity.

As the YFS child care director, I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Pioneer Bank for allowing us to use their parking lot to conduct this event. We couldn't have done it without your support. On behalf of all of the YFS Child Care staff and the more than 406 children and their families enrolled in our program, thank you for supporting us.

AMY WILLMAN

Rapid City

We need a holiday for people who hate cold

Why not another national holiday for the benefit of people who hate cold weather. And Humpty Dumpty should be honored since he is the only one I ever heard of that had a great fall. I never did for I've always hated cold weather. The first day of Fall should be named for humpty dumpty because he must have really had stamina since fall announces the coming of winter!

ROBERT TAYNOR

Rapid City