Bear Butte bar gets nod for liquor license
By Andrew Gorder, Journal staff Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The 3-2 vote came after about an hour and a half of testimony from representatives of Target Logistics -- a Boston-based company that intends to buy the embattled campground -- and Native Americans, concerned citizens and other activists who support a development buffer or an alcohol ban near Bear Butte.
In recent years, opponents have regularly testified before the commission about their opposition to alcohol near the mountain. It is a sacred landmark and prayer site for the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and other Native American tribes.
"I'm really disappointed that the Meade County commissioners did not take all of us into account," said Tamra Brennan, director and founder of grass-roots group Protect Sacred Sites.
The Broken Spoke Campground, formerly known as Sturgis County Line, has been in a fight to renew its on-sale liquor and beer licenses since commissioners voted to deny them last year. The campground, northeast of Sturgis, is within 1-1/2 miles of Bear Butte.
Former owner Jay Allen lost the beer license for his campground last June after commissioners received complaints from local contractors who claimed they had not been paid by Allen.
Alcohol licenses can be denied on the basis of the character of the owner-operator or the location of the venue.
In December, the commission also rejected Allen's renewal application for an on-sale liquor license, again citing unsettled debts with contractors.
Allen appealed the decision, and on April 4, Circuit Court Judge John Bastian ruled the county commission must reconsider its decision because of the proposed change in ownership.
Target Logistics is an international company that provides housing, transportation and hospitality services. It intended to buy controlling interest in the venue several months ago but was leasing the property until the liquor license issue was settled.
Representatives of the firm said that, when the sale is final, Allen will have a 30 percent, noncontrolling interest in the campground.
During Tuesday's hearing, commissioners heard from several character references for David Shue, an employee of Target Logistics and the newly hired managing officer for Sturgis County Line LLC.
Shue, a former director of operations for the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, spoke on his own behalf, highlighting his service in Iraq and Afghanistan and promising to be a "good neighbor."
Commissioners also heard from several concerned Meade County residents and Native American activists who urged them to deny the alcohol licenses.
Opponents mainly voiced concerns about the growing size of the campground and its encroachment on Bear Butte. They said they believed the new owners will only continue the expansion.
"The new investors, Target Logistics, have already proceeded with plans for additional development and expansion," Brennan said. "We've had a drought for the last eight years, and here they're building the world's biggest biker pool," she said.
"We love this land, and we don't want anything to happen to it," said Jace DeCory, another concerned resident.
After hearing testimony, Commissioner Dean Wink said he sympathized with opponents but did not agree that the location of the venue was the issue at hand. Wink said most of Allen's debts being settled was reason enough for him approve the license.
"I think that probably shows a good faith effort on the part of Target Logistics, to be a good business for this area," Wink said.
Commissioner Dayle Hammock said he did not feel comfortable with Jay Allen's continued involvement with the company and sponsored a motion to deny the license. That motion failed, and the committee then voted to renew the license.
"They're basically standing behind corporate America," said Brennan, who also said her organization plans to appeal the commission's decision. "We're not done."
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/07/02/news/top/doc486afab8cafaa463592499.txt?show_comments=true#commentdiv
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director
Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
Showing posts with label Protect Bear Butte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Protect Bear Butte. Show all posts
Friday, July 4, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Corporate America ~vs~ Sacred Sites
Please forward in its entirety.
Press release
Corporate America ~vs~ Sacred Sites
Decision on Bear Butte issue 7-1-08
written by: Tamra Brennan
On July 1st, 2008 the Meade County Commissioners voted 3 - 2 to approve Jay Allen's liquor license, for the Broken Spoke Campground located at Bear Butte.
There were two separate issues discussed regarding liquor license applications. The initial license for Jay Allen, which was revoked on December 5, 2007, appealed in January, then remanded back to the Meade County Commissioners by Judge Bastian on April 14, 2008. Meade County Commissioners appealed the judges decision, in June the South Dakota Supreme Court, denied the appeal, again sending it back to Meade County Commissioners.
The second issue was the new liquor license application filed by David Shoe, General Manager for the new investors Target Logistics, Broken Spoke Campground LLC.
Target Logistics has paid off all of Jay Allen's outstanding debts for Broken Spoke Campground, LLC with the exception of one that is currently in litigation. They have dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, into this place already. Jim Seward attorney for Target Logistics also stated that Jay Allen still owns 30% of the stock, which contradicts everything that they have testified to previously, which was that Jay Allen is no longer involved. These people change their story at every hearing.
Target Logistics Corporation showed up at the hearing with 12-15 suits, including the CEO, various attorneys and military personnel. They spent a hour of the hearing testifying about military issues, and praising David Shoe, since he was previously involved in Blackwater, had been in Afganstitan and Iraq and apparently has secret service clearance, even today. They actually brought previous military personnel here to testify on behalf of David Shoe's character, for a liquor license at a bar located at Bear Butte.
They used the war, they used the military service to gain sympathy and support from the Meade County Commissioners, to acquire the license license.
Does anyone see the irony here? Can someone please explain what the military has to do with a bar, at a sacred site and what they are doing here?
The supporters for the Bear Butte issue were sitting listening to this testimony, wondering what any of this had to do, with Meade County and a bar at Bear Butte?
Several people stood up and questioned these statements and motives.
Jack Doyle, a local Meade County resident continually testify's against our side, and always includes disgusting and racist comments, stated "Indians do not own Bear Butte mountain, they are their as guests, if its not suitable for them they can go somewhere else."
Another local, life long resident and Bear Butte supporter stood up and addressed the Commissioners and Target Logistics, stated she felt that Target Logistics was making a bad business decision, and they obviously had not done a business marketing analysis, that there have been two local campgrounds go bankrupt over this past two years, maybe they should go invest in one of the bankrupt campgrounds, there is one available in Whitewood. She received a huge applaud from the Bear Butte supporters.
I did record the hearing and will be cutting it down, its a hour and a half, once I get that done, I will be posting it on our new blog talk radio show. It should be up within the next day. I will send out a link, once it is up and running. It will also be posted on our website www.protectbearbutte.com
Because it was the appealed license that was approved, I am going to be doing some checking and see what actions, if any, that we can take next to appeal this decision.
Needless to say, this is simply another case of Corporate America ~vs~ Native American people and sacred sites, and we lost, yet again.
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director
Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
Press release
Corporate America ~vs~ Sacred Sites
Decision on Bear Butte issue 7-1-08
written by: Tamra Brennan
On July 1st, 2008 the Meade County Commissioners voted 3 - 2 to approve Jay Allen's liquor license, for the Broken Spoke Campground located at Bear Butte.
There were two separate issues discussed regarding liquor license applications. The initial license for Jay Allen, which was revoked on December 5, 2007, appealed in January, then remanded back to the Meade County Commissioners by Judge Bastian on April 14, 2008. Meade County Commissioners appealed the judges decision, in June the South Dakota Supreme Court, denied the appeal, again sending it back to Meade County Commissioners.
The second issue was the new liquor license application filed by David Shoe, General Manager for the new investors Target Logistics, Broken Spoke Campground LLC.
Target Logistics has paid off all of Jay Allen's outstanding debts for Broken Spoke Campground, LLC with the exception of one that is currently in litigation. They have dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, into this place already. Jim Seward attorney for Target Logistics also stated that Jay Allen still owns 30% of the stock, which contradicts everything that they have testified to previously, which was that Jay Allen is no longer involved. These people change their story at every hearing.
Target Logistics Corporation showed up at the hearing with 12-15 suits, including the CEO, various attorneys and military personnel. They spent a hour of the hearing testifying about military issues, and praising David Shoe, since he was previously involved in Blackwater, had been in Afganstitan and Iraq and apparently has secret service clearance, even today. They actually brought previous military personnel here to testify on behalf of David Shoe's character, for a liquor license at a bar located at Bear Butte.
They used the war, they used the military service to gain sympathy and support from the Meade County Commissioners, to acquire the license license.
Does anyone see the irony here? Can someone please explain what the military has to do with a bar, at a sacred site and what they are doing here?
The supporters for the Bear Butte issue were sitting listening to this testimony, wondering what any of this had to do, with Meade County and a bar at Bear Butte?
Several people stood up and questioned these statements and motives.
Jack Doyle, a local Meade County resident continually testify's against our side, and always includes disgusting and racist comments, stated "Indians do not own Bear Butte mountain, they are their as guests, if its not suitable for them they can go somewhere else."
Another local, life long resident and Bear Butte supporter stood up and addressed the Commissioners and Target Logistics, stated she felt that Target Logistics was making a bad business decision, and they obviously had not done a business marketing analysis, that there have been two local campgrounds go bankrupt over this past two years, maybe they should go invest in one of the bankrupt campgrounds, there is one available in Whitewood. She received a huge applaud from the Bear Butte supporters.
I did record the hearing and will be cutting it down, its a hour and a half, once I get that done, I will be posting it on our new blog talk radio show. It should be up within the next day. I will send out a link, once it is up and running. It will also be posted on our website www.protectbearbutte.com
Because it was the appealed license that was approved, I am going to be doing some checking and see what actions, if any, that we can take next to appeal this decision.
Needless to say, this is simply another case of Corporate America ~vs~ Native American people and sacred sites, and we lost, yet again.
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director
Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
Friday, June 27, 2008
'I'm not afraid to speak on behalf of the mountain'
If you have not had a chance to sign our online petition to Protect Bear Butte, please take a moment to sign! The petition is to oppose the liquor licenses for Broken Spoke Campground. Deadline is Monday June 30th. Hearing is Tuesday, July 1st at 3:30 Meade County Commissoners Building.
http://www.petitiononline.com/BBappeal/petition.html
Thank you for your continued support to Protect Bear Butte!
Tamra
'I'm not afraid to speak on behalf of the mountain'
Posted: June 27, 2008
by: Rob Capriccioso
Click to Enlarge
Photo courtesy Tamra Brennan -- The two-story bar at the Broken Spoke Campground is one of many developments that have popped up around sacred Bear Butte over the last two years.
PIERRE, S.D. - A group of impassioned Indians gathered at South Dakota's Bear Butte State Park June 21 to pray for healing and to highlight what they call ''horrifying'' commercial developments around their revered mountain.
The gathering was attended by more than 40 Natives, with some traveling from as far away as Canada to pray and honor the lands. Bear Butte is considered sacred to dozens of Native nations, including the Cheyenne, Lakota and Arapaho tribes, some of which own small sections of land near the mountain.
The 4,422-foot peak has been used for thousands of years as a religious and commemorative place for vision quests, ceremonies of passage and renewal, spiritual offerings and medicine gatherings.
In recent years, economic development in the form of bars, concert venues and campgrounds has become increasingly upsetting to Indians who have long made religious pilgrimages to the site. About a dozen developments currently operate in close proximity to the mountain, many of which have been built since 2006 in an attempt to lure bikers and tourists to the area.
Tamra Brennan, founder of the grass-roots organization Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation, lives near the base of the mountain. She said that noise from motorcycle rallies and drunken partiers, as well as fireworks and flashing strobe lights that are sometimes shone onto the mountain, have disrupted the sacred lands.
''The struggle has gotten difficult over the last few months,'' Brennan, Eastern Cherokee, said. ''It's been hard to keep people informed on new developments. The issue is a lot more critical now than even a few years ago.''
Brennan and others are urging the Meade County Commission to deny alcohol licenses for the Broken Spoke Campground, which they say is one of the most disruptive developments in the area.
Originally called Sturgis County Line Bar, the two-story, 25,000-square-foot venue is in transition to be operated by Boston-based Target Logistics, an international company that provides housing, transportation, life support and hospitality services. The property was previously under the sole management of developer Jay Allen, who lost his alcohol license last year due to character issues.
Developers with Broken Spoke recently expressed interest in offering helicopter rides over the mountain, which further angered Natives in the area. The Native American Rights Fund has consulted with local Indians on helping to legally stop the rides under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
Developers have also pursued plans to build a concert stadium and an RV park in addition to the bar already on the grounds.
''It's going to make it practically impossible to pray in peace,'' Brennan said.
Target Logistics President Joe Murphy has said in the past that he is ''happy to sit down and listen to our critics'' and that he is ''respectful'' of his critics' religious views. He could not be reached by press time for further comment.
The commission's meeting to determine whether the campground will get its alcohol license is scheduled for July 1. Brennan's organization is encouraging tribal members from throughout the region to make their voices heard prior to meeting day. Organizers believe that visitors will be discouraged from frequenting the venue, if liquor cannot be served.
The National Congress of American Indians is opposed to the alcohol license application submitted by Broken Spoke.
''Both the location and the character of the applicant are unsuitable for any alcohol licenses,'' according to a letter sent by NCAI to the Meade County Commission.
The organization also recommended that county commissioners ''use their broad discretion over alcohol licenses to begin government-to-government consultation with affected local Indian tribes to establish notification and consultation procedures for decisions that affect religious practice at Bear Butte and all American Indian sacred sites.''
Republican Gov. Mike Rounds and some state legislators have also tried to conserve and protect lands around Bear Butte, but have been unsuccessful to date.
Alberta Fischer, a Montana-based Northern Cheyenne elder, said she is hopeful that the damages she's seen as a result of the developments will one day end. She first started making treks to the mountain as a young girl when she watched her grandparents and parents pray and perform religious ceremonies there.
''I grew up with it. I know the true significance of that mountain. It's been a part of my life, which is why I'm opposed to any development. I'm not afraid to speak on behalf of the mountain.
''There's going to be somebody who will listen to us one of these days. And that's what I pray for.''
Bear Butte was listed as a National Natural Landmark in 1965, as a National Historical Place in 1973 and as a National Historic Landmark in 1981. It has been on the National Historic Landmarks threat level watch list since 2004.
http://www.indiancountry.com:80/content.cfm?id=1096417592
For more information, visit www.ProtectBearButte.com.
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director
Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
http://www.petitiononline.com/BBappeal/petition.html
Thank you for your continued support to Protect Bear Butte!
Tamra
'I'm not afraid to speak on behalf of the mountain'
Posted: June 27, 2008
by: Rob Capriccioso
Click to Enlarge
Photo courtesy Tamra Brennan -- The two-story bar at the Broken Spoke Campground is one of many developments that have popped up around sacred Bear Butte over the last two years.
PIERRE, S.D. - A group of impassioned Indians gathered at South Dakota's Bear Butte State Park June 21 to pray for healing and to highlight what they call ''horrifying'' commercial developments around their revered mountain.
The gathering was attended by more than 40 Natives, with some traveling from as far away as Canada to pray and honor the lands. Bear Butte is considered sacred to dozens of Native nations, including the Cheyenne, Lakota and Arapaho tribes, some of which own small sections of land near the mountain.
The 4,422-foot peak has been used for thousands of years as a religious and commemorative place for vision quests, ceremonies of passage and renewal, spiritual offerings and medicine gatherings.
In recent years, economic development in the form of bars, concert venues and campgrounds has become increasingly upsetting to Indians who have long made religious pilgrimages to the site. About a dozen developments currently operate in close proximity to the mountain, many of which have been built since 2006 in an attempt to lure bikers and tourists to the area.
Tamra Brennan, founder of the grass-roots organization Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation, lives near the base of the mountain. She said that noise from motorcycle rallies and drunken partiers, as well as fireworks and flashing strobe lights that are sometimes shone onto the mountain, have disrupted the sacred lands.
''The struggle has gotten difficult over the last few months,'' Brennan, Eastern Cherokee, said. ''It's been hard to keep people informed on new developments. The issue is a lot more critical now than even a few years ago.''
Brennan and others are urging the Meade County Commission to deny alcohol licenses for the Broken Spoke Campground, which they say is one of the most disruptive developments in the area.
Originally called Sturgis County Line Bar, the two-story, 25,000-square-foot venue is in transition to be operated by Boston-based Target Logistics, an international company that provides housing, transportation, life support and hospitality services. The property was previously under the sole management of developer Jay Allen, who lost his alcohol license last year due to character issues.
Developers with Broken Spoke recently expressed interest in offering helicopter rides over the mountain, which further angered Natives in the area. The Native American Rights Fund has consulted with local Indians on helping to legally stop the rides under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
Developers have also pursued plans to build a concert stadium and an RV park in addition to the bar already on the grounds.
''It's going to make it practically impossible to pray in peace,'' Brennan said.
Target Logistics President Joe Murphy has said in the past that he is ''happy to sit down and listen to our critics'' and that he is ''respectful'' of his critics' religious views. He could not be reached by press time for further comment.
The commission's meeting to determine whether the campground will get its alcohol license is scheduled for July 1. Brennan's organization is encouraging tribal members from throughout the region to make their voices heard prior to meeting day. Organizers believe that visitors will be discouraged from frequenting the venue, if liquor cannot be served.
The National Congress of American Indians is opposed to the alcohol license application submitted by Broken Spoke.
''Both the location and the character of the applicant are unsuitable for any alcohol licenses,'' according to a letter sent by NCAI to the Meade County Commission.
The organization also recommended that county commissioners ''use their broad discretion over alcohol licenses to begin government-to-government consultation with affected local Indian tribes to establish notification and consultation procedures for decisions that affect religious practice at Bear Butte and all American Indian sacred sites.''
Republican Gov. Mike Rounds and some state legislators have also tried to conserve and protect lands around Bear Butte, but have been unsuccessful to date.
Alberta Fischer, a Montana-based Northern Cheyenne elder, said she is hopeful that the damages she's seen as a result of the developments will one day end. She first started making treks to the mountain as a young girl when she watched her grandparents and parents pray and perform religious ceremonies there.
''I grew up with it. I know the true significance of that mountain. It's been a part of my life, which is why I'm opposed to any development. I'm not afraid to speak on behalf of the mountain.
''There's going to be somebody who will listen to us one of these days. And that's what I pray for.''
Bear Butte was listed as a National Natural Landmark in 1965, as a National Historical Place in 1973 and as a National Historic Landmark in 1981. It has been on the National Historic Landmarks threat level watch list since 2004.
http://www.indiancountry.com:80/content.cfm?id=1096417592
For more information, visit www.ProtectBearButte.com.
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra Brennan
Founder/Director
Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Bear Butte alcohol license hearings sure to draw opponents
Bear Butte alcohol license hearings sure to draw opponents
By Joe Kafka, The Associated Press Thursday, June 12, 2008
7 comment(s) Normal Size Increase font Size
Alcohol license requests for a sprawling campground, bar and concert area near a Black Hills butte that's sacred to Native Americans will be opposed at a July 1 hearing in Sturgis.
An opponent of the Broken Spoke Campground, formerly known as Sturgis County Line, complains it will disturb Bear Butte's tranquil aura.
For centuries, members of various Native American tribes have gone to Bear Butte to pray, fast and hold religious ceremonies. They say noise from large campgrounds and bars in the area, which have sprung up over the years to cater to the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, disrupt the normally peaceful setting.
Joe Murphy, president of a Boston firm that plans to buy the Broken Spoke Campground and is leasing it until the alcohol license issue is settled, said Thursday the business will try to be sensitive to qualms about noise and commotion.
"We want to make any accommodation we need to to work with anybody's beliefs," Murphy said. "We respect their religious views and hope we don't disturb them. We're happy to sit down and listen to our critics."
Murphy is president of Target Logistics, an international company that provides housing, transportation, life support and hospitality services. He said Target Logistics wants to buy the campground from Jay Allen, who lost his beer and alcohol licenses last year.
Allen also owns Broken Spoke properties in Laconia, N.H.; Daytona Beach, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Murphy said his firm is negotiating for them, too.
Tamra Brennan, founder of a grass-roots group seeking to protect Bear Butte, said she will urge the Meade County Commission to deny alcohol licenses for the Broken Spoke Campground. Brennan, who lives near the base of Bear Butte, said she complained about noise during last year's motorcycle rally and was shrugged off.
Campground noise was so loud one night that it rattled the windows in her house until 2 a.m., she said. Brennan said strobe lights were shone on Bear Butte at night, and the campground manager didn't understand why she would complain about it.
"There are people trying to pray in solitude and peace that are up on the mountain at all hours," she said.
Bear Butte, an ancient volcano that never erupted, is not like a church that has services only on Sundays, said Brennan, an Eastern Cherokee Indian and founder of Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation.
"The land is our church," she said. "We don't just go into a church once a week and spend one hour and then that's it. This is not a religion; this is a spirituality."
The 4,422-foot peak has been a state park since 1961 and is protected as a National Historic Landmark. It has a special area set aside for Indian ceremonies, and regulations prevent other visitors from interfering with those who are praying.
However, the butte is surrounded by private property and growing commercialization.
Joell Romick, the county commission's administrative assistant, said both an on-sale liquor license and a beer license are being sought for the Broken Spoke Campground.
The campground features a 25,000-square-foot bar, or the equivalent of a building that's 250 feet long and 100 feet wide.
In 2006, Native Americans and others opposed initial approval of a liquor license for Jay Allen because the campground is within three miles of Bear Butte.
Allen lost the beer license for his campground a year ago after commissioners received complaints he was not paying his bills.
Alcohol licenses can be denied on the basis of character and location.
Commissioners said 10 months of unpaid bills spoke to the character of Allen, an Arizona-based motorcycle rally entrepreneur.
In December, the county commission rejected Allen's renewal application for an on-sale liquor license, again citing character issues after some contractors who did work at the campground claimed he had not paid them.
Allen said the campground had been a financial headache and that some contractors overcharged or didn't finish their jobs.
Later, a judge said the county commission must reconsider denial of the liquor license because of the proposed change in ownership. The commission balked and requested an intermediate appeal from the state Supreme Court, but that has been denied, Romick said.
Murphy said plans are in the works to keep the campground open all summer, beginning next year. A swimming pool is being added along with other improvements for campers, and it will be geared to families at times other than rally week, he said.
"We want to make it a nice, quality family experience," Murphy said.
"We want to make a solid commitment to the Sturgis area," he added. "We're hiring as many local contractors as we can, and we're trying to bring jobs and money into the area."
Brennan said the nearly one-square-mile campground is a blight on the area. It will feature noisy concerts during the Aug. 4-10 motorcycle rally and will offer helicopter rides over the butte, she said.
"To add helicopter rides over Bear Butte is just appalling," Brennan said. "This is complete disregard for Native American beliefs and the respect of the people who are in ceremonies on the hill."
Helicopter rides over the mountain will violate two federal laws dealing with freedom of religion for Native Americans, she said.
But Murphy said he doubts many helicopter rides will be staged.
"If we had someone who wants to go for a helicopter ride, we would make the helicopter available to them at the campground," he said. "If someone asks to fly over Bear Butte, we'd take them unless it's not allowed."
Murphy noted the area has several other large campgrounds and bars.
"The rally period is a very intense, and whether we're there or not, we're not having any more effect on Bear Butte than the other campgrounds in the area," he said.
On the Net:
www.brokenspokecampground.com/schedule-of-events.cfm
http://www.protectsacredsites.org/
http://www.protectbearbutte.com
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/06/12/news/top/doc4851a08e3740e147427725.txt
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes"
"Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?"
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
By Joe Kafka, The Associated Press Thursday, June 12, 2008
7 comment(s) Normal Size Increase font Size
Alcohol license requests for a sprawling campground, bar and concert area near a Black Hills butte that's sacred to Native Americans will be opposed at a July 1 hearing in Sturgis.
An opponent of the Broken Spoke Campground, formerly known as Sturgis County Line, complains it will disturb Bear Butte's tranquil aura.
For centuries, members of various Native American tribes have gone to Bear Butte to pray, fast and hold religious ceremonies. They say noise from large campgrounds and bars in the area, which have sprung up over the years to cater to the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, disrupt the normally peaceful setting.
Joe Murphy, president of a Boston firm that plans to buy the Broken Spoke Campground and is leasing it until the alcohol license issue is settled, said Thursday the business will try to be sensitive to qualms about noise and commotion.
"We want to make any accommodation we need to to work with anybody's beliefs," Murphy said. "We respect their religious views and hope we don't disturb them. We're happy to sit down and listen to our critics."
Murphy is president of Target Logistics, an international company that provides housing, transportation, life support and hospitality services. He said Target Logistics wants to buy the campground from Jay Allen, who lost his beer and alcohol licenses last year.
Allen also owns Broken Spoke properties in Laconia, N.H.; Daytona Beach, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Murphy said his firm is negotiating for them, too.
Tamra Brennan, founder of a grass-roots group seeking to protect Bear Butte, said she will urge the Meade County Commission to deny alcohol licenses for the Broken Spoke Campground. Brennan, who lives near the base of Bear Butte, said she complained about noise during last year's motorcycle rally and was shrugged off.
Campground noise was so loud one night that it rattled the windows in her house until 2 a.m., she said. Brennan said strobe lights were shone on Bear Butte at night, and the campground manager didn't understand why she would complain about it.
"There are people trying to pray in solitude and peace that are up on the mountain at all hours," she said.
Bear Butte, an ancient volcano that never erupted, is not like a church that has services only on Sundays, said Brennan, an Eastern Cherokee Indian and founder of Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation.
"The land is our church," she said. "We don't just go into a church once a week and spend one hour and then that's it. This is not a religion; this is a spirituality."
The 4,422-foot peak has been a state park since 1961 and is protected as a National Historic Landmark. It has a special area set aside for Indian ceremonies, and regulations prevent other visitors from interfering with those who are praying.
However, the butte is surrounded by private property and growing commercialization.
Joell Romick, the county commission's administrative assistant, said both an on-sale liquor license and a beer license are being sought for the Broken Spoke Campground.
The campground features a 25,000-square-foot bar, or the equivalent of a building that's 250 feet long and 100 feet wide.
In 2006, Native Americans and others opposed initial approval of a liquor license for Jay Allen because the campground is within three miles of Bear Butte.
Allen lost the beer license for his campground a year ago after commissioners received complaints he was not paying his bills.
Alcohol licenses can be denied on the basis of character and location.
Commissioners said 10 months of unpaid bills spoke to the character of Allen, an Arizona-based motorcycle rally entrepreneur.
In December, the county commission rejected Allen's renewal application for an on-sale liquor license, again citing character issues after some contractors who did work at the campground claimed he had not paid them.
Allen said the campground had been a financial headache and that some contractors overcharged or didn't finish their jobs.
Later, a judge said the county commission must reconsider denial of the liquor license because of the proposed change in ownership. The commission balked and requested an intermediate appeal from the state Supreme Court, but that has been denied, Romick said.
Murphy said plans are in the works to keep the campground open all summer, beginning next year. A swimming pool is being added along with other improvements for campers, and it will be geared to families at times other than rally week, he said.
"We want to make it a nice, quality family experience," Murphy said.
"We want to make a solid commitment to the Sturgis area," he added. "We're hiring as many local contractors as we can, and we're trying to bring jobs and money into the area."
Brennan said the nearly one-square-mile campground is a blight on the area. It will feature noisy concerts during the Aug. 4-10 motorcycle rally and will offer helicopter rides over the butte, she said.
"To add helicopter rides over Bear Butte is just appalling," Brennan said. "This is complete disregard for Native American beliefs and the respect of the people who are in ceremonies on the hill."
Helicopter rides over the mountain will violate two federal laws dealing with freedom of religion for Native Americans, she said.
But Murphy said he doubts many helicopter rides will be staged.
"If we had someone who wants to go for a helicopter ride, we would make the helicopter available to them at the campground," he said. "If someone asks to fly over Bear Butte, we'd take them unless it's not allowed."
Murphy noted the area has several other large campgrounds and bars.
"The rally period is a very intense, and whether we're there or not, we're not having any more effect on Bear Butte than the other campgrounds in the area," he said.
On the Net:
www.brokenspokecampground.com/schedule-of-events.cfm
http://www.protectsacredsites.org/
http://www.protectbearbutte.com
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/06/12/news/top/doc4851a08e3740e147427725.txt
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra
www.protectsacredsites.org
www.protectbearbutte.com
PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes"
"Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?"
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?"
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