Talk:Summerset, South Dakota

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Having lived in Summerset from 2001 to 2006, i can verify much of the printed articles firsthand. And, i can also tell you that I was one of the residents (who others say do not exist) that had confusion over the meeting that eventually turned this sub-division into a town. There is satisfaction in the fact that a vast majority of those who voted for the incorporation initially would not vote for it again, knowing what they know now.

Unfortunately, as a resident of the pre-incorporation days, i can also tell you it was much preferrable to the new Summerset. This is only my opinion, but there are so many things that the residents in general have problems with now. One of my favorites was a "scare tactic" used to say "we should incorporate now before Black Hawk incorporates us and takes us over". Black Hawk did vote on becoming incorporated a short while after Summerset's passed; their incorporation failed. A question that leaves me with is: one reason given to incorporate was to ensure that someone who does not share our interests will have control over us and leech money from us? Rhetorically, i have to answer: isn't that what is happening now? For evidence of this, take a look at the paychecks for the elected officials.

There are many other issues beyond the increased taxes...some proveable, some are not; suffice it to say, would you start to wonder about a town that has repeated attempts (by BOTH residents and businesses) to repeal it's incorporation status? Does that really sound like a place you would like to call home? I am no longer a resident, but having lived there, i hope they are able to un-incorporate when they are "allowed" to in 2007...that is, provided the city lawyer does not find another loop hole to expoit to prevent a vote from happening.

[edit] Alternative Point of View

I am currently a resident of Summerset and I voted for incorporation. In the local newspaper (Rapid City Journal) there have been many articles quoting people claiming not to have known they were included in the city boundaries. Yes there was a lawsuit filed claiming that improper notification was given as to the proposed boundaries of the city. That plaintiffs lost that law suit. The judge in the case noted that state notification laws were followed. My thoughts have always been that uninformed people are upset that they didn't take the time to find out if they were included in the proposed city boundaries.

It is true that a petition to vote on unincorporation was submitted and denied by the city. A lawsuit was filed against the city claiming that the petition was wrongly denied. The jury in the trial agreed with the city and it is unclear whether an appeal will or even can be filed. The city lawyer has not circumvented any laws and has, in fact, correctly interpreted the state statutes pertaining to municipal government as proven by the cities record in court.

It is true that there have been some anger at the inital budgeted salary for the mayor, council members and planning & zoning members. However, checking the weekly printing of the city meeting minutes in the local newspaper, one would see that the mayor did not take his full salary. There has also been anger at the increased taxes. The 2007 budget has been set and the taxes for Summerset residences will be going DOWN next year. During the 2006 budget meetings the city commission repeatedly said that the first years budget was an estimate of needs, simply because there were no previous budgets to use to estimate costs. They made many statements that if the 2006 budget was too high they would reduce the 2007 budget. This they have done.

Already there have been many issues the city has been able to deal with that the citizens could not have on their own without great expense. Of course, like with many controversial issues of the day, most people would rather complain about the percieved evils of the past rather than look at what the reality is and try to make a better future.

Doublee 22:25, 4 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Another Point of View

I bought my home in summerset in early 2005. When we cought the home, we decided to buy it, instead of another, in the case we had to sell. I am currently in a job where moves are frequent and expected. Well the bad news came and I was expected to move. We had our house on the market for a year, yesterday I signed the Deed in Leiu of foreclosure paperwork. The City of Summerset, never combatted the bad publicity. They never stated facts to help the cause. They never positively advertised the community. They have hurt many people who have either lost money selling their home or will lose money because they fore closed on their home.

Former Resident 10465 Bellingham Dr