STURGIS, S.D. ñ The expansion of liquor sales and entertainment complexes in the shadow of Bear Butte continues unabated by protests, petitions and lawsuits.
The commissioners of Meade County, in which Bear Butte is located, rejected a legal petition to put the issue of a malt beverage license for Jay Allenís Sturgis County Line bar on the grounds that they made an administrative decision and it was not subject to referendum. The petitions included 756 signatures.
A liquor license was also renewed for Allenís Broken Spoke bar, which is located within sight of Bear Butte.
An additional liquor license for a new biker bar, the Rock ín The Rally, which is within earshot of Bear Butte, was awarded to Gary Lippold on May 2. Lippold also owns a resort near the mountain.
Protesters and opponents of expanded entertainment venues appeared at two hearings, one held April 4 for Allenís application and another on May 2 for Lippoldís.
Opposition is coming from more areas than tribal governments, members and organizations. Local ranchers are also protesting biker bar expansion. Some ranchers at the April 4 hearing said they had to retrieve trash in the ditches along the highways and roads they travel on a daily basis during the rally. One rancher said she was afraid when 30 bikers drove into her driveway. They were drunk and lost, she said.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, held in early August each year, attracts some 500,000 bikers who tour the entire region for more than a week. The official rally is scheduled for only one week.
Lippold said his new Rock ín The Rally will feature nearly 20 major entertainment events over the five nights of the rally. He said Aerosmith, Keith Urban and Big & Rich are among the bands already booked.
Two lawsuits have been filed against bar expansion. Cheyenne River Sioux tribal attorney and state Rep. Thomas Van Norman filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The Lakota people are among some 32 tribes that consider Bear Butte a sacred mountain and they continue to offer prayers at the site.
Van Normanís complaint states that the Meade County commissioners acted arbitrarily in its determination of Allenís character and, according to the complaint, the commissioners placed the burden of suitability of character on the challengers, not the applicant.
Another lawsuit, filed by Rapid City Attorney Bruce Ellison, was filed on behalf of Meade County rancher Jessie Levin and six others. That complaint alleges a violation of due process and that the commission failed to follow legal standards in the application process. Ten different grounds were filed with that complaint.
Protesters and opponents are not finished. Protests are in the planning stages for the rally itself; and a July 4 rally is stacking up to bring in nearly 5,000 people from all over the country, according to organizers.
The Bear Butte International Alliance, a group opposing any expansion of liquor or entertainment in the vicinity of Bear Butte, states on its Web site that its initial stand continues: ìNo more alcohol permitting until a buffer zone is established protecting the custom, culture and tradition of the people who regard Bear Butte as a sacred site.î
A five-mile buffer zone was requested and, according to letters from all Lakota tribal governments, that is still their stand.
ìWe have a concern for sacred sites; they are a place where great leaders have a vision and you are destroying mother earth,î said Arvol Looking Horse, 19th generation keeper of the sacred pipe of the Lakota.
ìWe want to save our way of life. The energy of life needs to be well respected,î he told the commissioners.
Russell Eagle Bear, Rosebud, said the tribe bought land near Bear Butte because they had no other place to pray. A lodge sits on the land and is used for education and spiritual purposes. The biker bars, with liquor, are just down the road from the lodge.
The Northern Cheyenne recently purchased more land at the base of Bear Butte. The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council also opposes any liquor near the mountain.
The Northern Cheyenne origin stories center around Bear Butte. Sweet Medicine was given the sacred bundle for the Cheyenne at Bear Butte.
The county commissioners remained steadfast in their approval of more and renewed liquor and malt beverage licenses. One commissioner, Dayle Hammock, said the commission acted within the legal limits by refusing to honor the petition for a referendum. He told the crowd if they didnít like the law, they should go to the state Legislature and have it changed.
An administrative decision, according to state law, is not subject to referendum of the voters.
ìThe BBIA believes that all who have been engaged with Meade County Commissioners on this land use issue remain committed to living well on these sacred landscapes.
ìWe will not silently go away, our work, values and determination to support government policies of local control based on human rights is stronger today than ever,î according to a prepared statement by the BBIA.
STURGIS, S.D. ñ The expansion of liquor sales and entertainment complexes in the shadow of Bear Butte continues unabated by protests, petitions and lawsuits.The commissioners of Meade County, in which Bear Butte is located, rejected a legal petition to put the issue of a malt beverage license for Jay Allenís Sturgis County Line bar on the grounds that they made an administrative decision and it was not subject to referendum. The petitions included 756 signatures.A liquor license was also renewed for Allenís Broken Spoke bar, which is located within sight of Bear Butte.An additional liquor license for a new biker bar, the Rock ín The Rally, which is within earshot of Bear Butte, was awarded to Gary Lippold on May 2. Lippold also owns a resort near the mountain.Protesters and opponents of expanded entertainment venues appeared at two hearings, one held April 4 for Allenís application and another on May 2 for Lippoldís.Opposition is coming from more areas than tribal governments, members and organizations. Local ranchers are also protesting biker bar expansion. Some ranchers at the April 4 hearing said they had to retrieve trash in the ditches along the highways and roads they travel on a daily basis during the rally. One rancher said she was afraid when 30 bikers drove into her driveway. They were drunk and lost, she said.The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, held in early August each year, attracts some 500,000 bikers who tour the entire region for more than a week. The official rally is scheduled for only one week.Lippold said his new Rock ín The Rally will feature nearly 20 major entertainment events over the five nights of the rally. He said Aerosmith, Keith Urban and Big & Rich are among the bands already booked.Two lawsuits have been filed against bar expansion. Cheyenne River Sioux tribal attorney and state Rep. Thomas Van Norman filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The Lakota people are among some 32 tribes that consider Bear Butte a sacred mountain and they continue to offer prayers at the site.Van Normanís complaint states that the Meade County commissioners acted arbitrarily in its determination of Allenís character and, according to the complaint, the commissioners placed the burden of suitability of character on the challengers, not the applicant.Another lawsuit, filed by Rapid City Attorney Bruce Ellison, was filed on behalf of Meade County rancher Jessie Levin and six others. That complaint alleges a violation of due process and that the commission failed to follow legal standards in the application process. Ten different grounds were filed with that complaint.Protesters and opponents are not finished. Protests are in the planning stages for the rally itself; and a July 4 rally is stacking up to bring in nearly 5,000 people from all over the country, according to organizers.The Bear Butte International Alliance, a group opposing any expansion of liquor or entertainment in the vicinity of Bear Butte, states on its Web site that its initial stand continues: ìNo more alcohol permitting until a buffer zone is established protecting the custom, culture and tradition of the people who regard Bear Butte as a sacred site.îA five-mile buffer zone was requested and, according to letters from all Lakota tribal governments, that is still their stand.ìWe have a concern for sacred sites; they are a place where great leaders have a vision and you are destroying mother earth,î said Arvol Looking Horse, 19th generation keeper of the sacred pipe of the Lakota.ìWe want to save our way of life. The energy of life needs to be well respected,î he told the commissioners.Russell Eagle Bear, Rosebud, said the tribe bought land near Bear Butte because they had no other place to pray. A lodge sits on the land and is used for education and spiritual purposes. The biker bars, with liquor, are just down the road from the lodge.The Northern Cheyenne recently purchased more land at the base of Bear Butte. The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council also opposes any liquor near the mountain.The Northern Cheyenne origin stories center around Bear Butte. Sweet Medicine was given the sacred bundle for the Cheyenne at Bear Butte.The county commissioners remained steadfast in their approval of more and renewed liquor and malt beverage licenses. One commissioner, Dayle Hammock, said the commission acted within the legal limits by refusing to honor the petition for a referendum. He told the crowd if they didnít like the law, they should go to the state Legislature and have it changed.An administrative decision, according to state law, is not subject to referendum of the voters.ìThe BBIA believes that all who have been engaged with Meade County Commissioners on this land use issue remain committed to living well on these sacred landscapes.ìWe will not silently go away, our work, values and determination to support government policies of local control based on human rights is stronger today than ever,î according to a prepared statement by the BBIA.
