Sturgis news

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In Sturgis, by Megan Palera. Black Hills FOX News.

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 16:45

A four by eight political sign wasn't allowed in city limits... so they found a loophole and went bigger.Those opposed to the Sturgis annexation are displaying their discontent as big as life by renting a billboard.A public vote on the annexation will happen next Tuesday ... but before voters head to the polls. People on both sides are letting their vote be known. "The city said take the sign down so they did and complied. Instead they're putting up this billboard letting the entire Black Hills know they're stand on the issue."No more taxes; vote no on the annexation.It's a message that speaks loud and clear and one that Full Throttle Saloon Owner, Mike Ballard is determined to share.The city wants to annex 18-hundred acres east of town, including the Full Throttle, Thunder Dome, parts of the Glencoe Campground, Sturgis High School and Fort Meade.Ballard, who led the referendum effort, says the city wants nothing more than a piece of his financial pie, when he does nothing but bring business to the city itself.Mike Ballard says, "The people we employ are from here. They're from Sturgis, they're from the Black Hills; they're ranch kids that live out here. I inject $320,000 into the city,they eat and shop downtown."And then there is the Glencoe campground, whose owner donated $100,000 to the Sturgis Hospital Hospice wing.Still, Sturgis Mayor Maury LaRue has a different opinion.He says they don't contribute enough to the community because they, unlike city businesses, don't pay retail sales tax.Maury LaRue says, "The taxable area that's in a community of interest with the city of Sturgis are those businesses right there.Would the Full Throttle exist if the city of Sturgis did not host the motorcycle rally?"Ballard says since the city will only gain an extra $225,000 a year through the annexation, he believes the city won't be able to take care of the new property and the land it already has.Mike Ballard says, "The people we're talking to in town, there's a lot of people there against it.They want to be taken care of finally for a change.They're tired of being run over."Ballard and company collected nearly 600 petition signatures. But the mayor says most were collected under false pretense.LaRue is confident the polls Tuesday will strongly favor the annexation.Maury LaRue says, "Many people that I talked to said I want it to come to vote.I want them to show. We want to show them by a vote that they need to participate too financially."If that happens, Ballard says he's moving his business north, closer to Deadwood, far from Sturgis city limits.