Several townships are unhappy with the way the Yankton County Commission does business – and they’re looking to secede, according to South Dakota Public Broadcasting:
Citizens in several northern townships in Yankton County are considering leaving the county.
Over the weekend, a forum was held in Irene to discuss the idea about joining Turner County or starting its own.
and…
Klimish says talk of leaving Yankton County by these folks been going on for years. He says it’s unfortunate those leading the charge haven’t reached out to county commissioners.
With the Civil War having several famous battles, such as the “Battle of Bull Run” you have to wonder if they’ll have their own famous clashes down in Yankton as the townships seek to secede?
I doubt anyone is going to take up arms, as much as have disagreeable conferences.
Maybe historians will name these new clashes for secession in Yankton County names such as “Meeting of the tater-tot hot dish?”
The current commission has pulled building permits and conditional use permits for 6 hog barns because work or construction hadn’t begun in 180 days. The farmers had plans prepared, .material ordered, loans obtained, and in some cases grading complete. But due to spring floiding and impassable roads construction was unable to be completed. The commission said since constructioni wasn’t complete, their building petmit and CUP were void and must be resubmitted. The farmers are all appealing and ithe cares well end up in court. The commission has also gone on re ord stating that they pkan on changing the zoning ordinance to increase stand offs for CAFOs making it much more difficul and in some cases impossible t to find a site to build. The anti ag group has worked hard to fight the expansion of animal feeding operations in Yankton County. And with the majority of voters living in the non-agricultural south of the county, the northern towmships have had enough.
Deb, give it up, you lost in the last election, and for good reason. Maybe if you had paid attention when you were on the commission you would know that this has very little or nothing to do with CAFO’s, and the cut goes far deeper (and you help make those deep wounds when you were a commissioner) than any dive you ever made. The disconnect with the NE part of the county started MANY years ago, not yesterday or last year. Furthermore what you sight as issues is an incomplete story to fit your spin at best. What I find interesting is that there may be a move to do something else by this group that makes sense, is fair, is plausible, and would keep the county whole. It is my gut
feeling with your crass attitude that you would come forward vehemently opposing and causing even more civil unrest with even deeper wounds to heal. Take a deep breath and get some fresh air.
Anon, do you have the nerve to put your name on your comments or just like to attack from behind the bushes.
Roger, sometimes it is necessary to attack from behind the bushes to protect citizens from carpetbaggers such as you, who have little or no knowledge of the historical events that preceded the likes of you and your perceived supreme uninformed knowledge and intelligence of that/those issue(s).
So why don’t you be productive in the conversation and tell us of the historical events and inform us…instead of just attacking the other side
Whew! I didn’t know I was so dangerous, If I knew who you were I would try to avoid you.
Years ago, Bill Peterson et. al. opened a debate on County Reorganization. At that time, I thought we needed to rethink the entire idea of local governmental units along these lines:
1) What is the role of Townships? Should they be eliminated or in some areas get expanded authorities? I can see places where they could be expended and others where they are of little value.
2) Does it make sense for large cities like Sioux Falls (and maybe adjoining cities as each citizenry agrees) and Rapid City to also be their own county (with potentially a fluid border as the cities grow)? For instance, I live in Sioux Falls/Lincoln County. Why should I be involved in decisions which affects southern Lincoln County? Why should people south of Canton be involved in decisions in my urban neighborhood? It seems we are creating stress points with our neighbors that are avoidable not to mention the duplication of regulation of city and county ordinance.
3) Related to #2, I think the biggest reason the Peterson plan (which had a ton of merit with regard to efficiency and reduced tax burden) didn’t get momentum was the rural counties who were going to be joined up with counties with large towns and opposed becoming subject to city slicker authority. At the same time, there were people in cities which dominated the County not liking being diluted by more rural bumpkins. Let’s just admit the reality- the issues of our rural areas are different than urban areas and let each government be properly focused.
4) Related to the merits of the Peterson plan, counties were mostly formed to give citizens a reasonable distance (by horse and buggy) to their government. Well, we now have cars which could expand the boundaries significantly. Plus, we have the internet which makes most of those services available in our homes.
Rhetorically, I ask my Sioux Falls/Lincoln County neighbors: Would you rather have all your government services from the City of Sioux Falls? I suspect they’d say yes. Similarly, I take no offense if my rural Lincoln County neighbors would prefer to have their County government focused on rural issues.
What is happening in Yankton County is brewing across the State in virtually every County where a majority or near majority lives in a city. While it make a decade to figure out the best reforms, wouldn’t jettisoning a system designed in a different time for one designed for today’s reality be a wonderful legacy would could give to our dependents? Even if we decided this is best, we’d know it because we’ve examined it.
The rural/urban controversy which is going on in Yankton County and I understand in other counties across the state is just a microcosm of what is happening Federally. Just two states alone, New York and California, can by their congressional votes outweigh those of several Midwest state delegation combined. As states rights diminishes and the Federal laws supersede all, our lives will more and more be governed by people from large urban areas whose votes far outweigh ours. I don’t have a solution, but can tell you I am not fond of the idea of a New Yorker or a Californian telling me how I am to live my life or run my farm or business. There is a lot to be said for majority rule, but there is also a lot to be said for protecting the rights of the minority.
Roger, nobody really wants you to avoid them, because they want to know what you will come up with next. As for “Be Productive” I am tired of researching for everyone else, do your own research if this topic interests you. I have found unless an individual does their own research, they more times than not disagree with a lengthy explanation by someone else. Facts seem to become more important, pertinent, and less obscure when an individual researches all the information personally, rather than rely on another’s brief. Simple academics for the inquisitive mind searching for results that will satisfy themselves.
Anon: I think you are just a coward–you can dish it out but you can’t take it.
Roger, Bring it on budddy!