Huset’s
June 21st, 2007 by 
Alica
If you are a Brandon business owner or work at a Brandon business, would you say that you do extra trade on Sundays from Huset’s customers? I know it’s hard to pin down firm numbers, but it would be interesting to have at least anecdotal information.
Huset’s draws thousands of people to Brandon each week. Because the race track is outside the city limits, the city does not get any sales tax or property tax income from the track. The city probably gets secondary income from sales tax as Huset’s customers spend money at other Brandon businesses. But how much?
Can you provide some insight?
Posted in Uncategorized | 
June 21st, 2007 at 4:57 pm
It’s ludicrous that Huset’s hasn’t been annexed into the city limits. How does Mr. Rubin get away with that? Oakridge nursery isn’t that far from Huset’s and I’m willing to bet they’re paying. Can anyone confirm that?
Seems Mr. Rubin always wants to have his way and has been allowed to get it on more than one issue in this town.
Again, can anyone confirm…Is Jay Masur paid for his services at the track? Also, does Mr. Rubin’s son work for Jay Masur at the track?
June 21st, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Do people realize why he is on the city council. So he doesnt. Hopefully the voters will next time around.
June 21st, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Below are excerpts from Argus Leader stories. While they don’t confirm that Huset’s pays Jay Masur, they also don’t specifically say Masur volunteers his time.
I tend to interpret the following excerpts as meaning that Huset’s does pay Masur, either as a direct employee or as a contracted service.
July 12, 2006:
“The Med-Star Ambulance/Huset’s Rescue Crew handles emergency situations for every racing event at Huset’s, Lake County and Rapid Speedways and also at the Saddleback go-kart track in Renner.”
From same story:
” ‘We don’t make money at this. We just do it because we love racing,’ said Masur, who also owns Med-Star Paramedic Ambulance, a critical care transport service.”
From same story:
“Although the crew’s compensation is little, their responsibilities are huge.”
May 4, 2005:
“Masur’s family has provided fire, ambulance and rescue service at Huset’s Speedway for 28 years.”
July 27, 2003:
“Pat’s legacy continues on today through Jay, who operates Med-Star Paramedics/Huset’s Fire Rescue, recognized as one of the top dirt track rescue units in the country.”
Sept. 5, 2001:
“Huset’s always has eight to 12 safety-crew members on duty, said Masur of Brandon, who’s worked for 23 years in racing safety and also leads crews at Lake County Speedway near Madison and Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa.”
Aug. 5, 2002:
“A full safety crew led by Jay Masur is also on hand in case of an accident.”
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:04 am
For of all the noise and congestion that Husets causes, I don’t think Brandon receives enough. It would be a tremendous gesture if the Rubin cadre would voluntarily ask to be annexed into the city. My observations are that there seems to a small increase in the number of cars in some business parking lots on Sunday afternoons and evenings but generally, all I’ve seen after the races is a line of cars heading out of Brandon and non of them turning into any businesses parking lots. Most of the people in my neighborhood have said their Sunday evenings in the summer are ruined because of the noise that is created by the Rubin’s race track. Maybe the county could enforce its noise ordinance?
June 22nd, 2007 at 10:05 am
Off topic here, but, Huset’s has been here long before I moved here over 30 years ago. Yes, there is noise some nights, other race nights, not so much. My point here is that people should expect the noise when they choose to live here. It is part of the sound of summer.
I really have no comment on the original post, as I am not fully informed on it. Such as, what establishments are open after the races, etc.
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:25 am
I also knew that Husets was here before I relocated here. However, we moved in the winter when there were no races being run and had no idea just how LOUD the cars are. We live 3 miles away and there are times when you have to close your windows to block the sound just to hear the television or converse on the telephone, not very convenient on a nice summer evening. Maybe they could put mufflers on the cars?
June 22nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
City Hall has confirmed that Oak Ridge Nursery is in the city limits.
I know that the typical way land gets annexed into a city is if the landowners request to be annexed. The Rubin family never has requested to be annexed.
There are ways a city can annex land without the landowners requesting it. I’m researching the law on that. When I find out, I’ll post it here.
June 22nd, 2007 at 2:50 pm
If memory serves me right…it was brought up to annex Husets and that is when Steve Ruben decided to run for city council. Isn’t it funny it has never been brought up again????
What you need to do…..is attend the council meetings and as a group, ask the council to annex Husets and lets see what Ruben has to say then? After all, Steve Ruben does get paid from the citizens of Brandon to serve on our City Council, but yet it appears he and his brother, do not want to contribute one penny of this tax revenue to the city Of Brandon.
The house directly North of Husets IS in the city limits, even though I recently saw an ad for Husets that says they are 3 miles out of Brandon.
So city growth stops right there. Without Husets being annexed, we can’t grow on that side of the road. Why would they want to put restrictions on Brandon growing to the south? According to the Brandon City Map (http://brandon.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7B23CB10F0-8C35-4CA4-9AD1-B693F0F58E76%7D/uploads/%7B38929914-787C-41D1-B37D-7B1311760023%7D.PDF) it shows that growth stops at Husets on the east side of the road and the west side takes in Robert Bennis School and Oakridge Nursery.
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:50 pm
According to the South Dakota Municipal League’s Handbook for South Dakota Municipal Officials, 2006, there are two ways land can be annexed into the city:
1. “Annexation by Petition,” where the landowner(s) ask(s) to be annexed. This is a pretty straightforward process.
2. “Annexation by Resolution,” where the city can initiate the process. State law says the city would have to conduct a study to determine things like the need for the proposed land to be annexed; if the city has enough water and other resources to serve that property; how much more or less the property would have to pay in taxes; and the city’s cost to annex the land. There are eight requirements in all.
In order to do a study, a majority of the city council would have to vote to do one. Since Alderman Steve Rubin never has requested to be annexed, we can be fairly certain he would vote against a study.
I take that back. Actually, the public probably would expect him to recuse himself from the vote because of conflict of interest.
It would be interested to know how much property and sales tax Huset’s would pay to the city if it were annexed.
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Alica,
You may want to check with the city administrator, as I believe the issue of annexation was brought up at city hall not all that long ago. I would also think a planning and zoning member would know.
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Is it fair that Oakridge and the other houses adjacent to and surrounding Huset’s are paying property and sales tax? NO.
I’d be willing to bet 98% of people eat and drink at the races, then head home as it’s a work day the next day. People don’t stop and eat and drink at 10:30 or 11:00 pm.
Also, it’s much more than 1 night per week. Last week it was 5 nights out of 7.
June 24th, 2007 at 10:09 am
This is a very interesting post. I was not aware that no property or sales taxes were paid to Brandon from Huset’s.
I agree with the above post, that people are not stopping after a race to eat or drink when they are so late, etc. I doubt that many stop beforehand much either, in a rush to get to the races.
As, I mentioned the tax issue was news to me.
June 24th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
How ironic that during our evening bike ride, we stopped to chat with some aquaintances and they were trying to enjoy the evening outside with family but couldn’t hear each other due to the noise level. They were very concerned that the races were so many more nights this year. This is obviously on more minds than I thought.
So what can be done about it??
June 25th, 2007 at 9:24 am
It costs $10 to get into Huset’s for the regular races. The place seats about 6,000, but let’s say they have an average attendance of about 3,000. They hold 20 or more races each summer.
The city charges 2 cents sales tax on each dollar, plus a penny on each dollar for the bed, board and booze tax. That’s 3 cents on the dollar.
That math comes out to $18,000 per year the city would receive from Huset’s in sales tax. Probably more. Depends on what the actual average attendance is. I tried to be conservative in my estimate.
I can see where the Huset’s owners wouldn’t want to be in the city limits. That $18,000 would come directly out of their pockets.
On the other hand, I can understand Charles’ point of view (see above), that sales tax money would soften the sting of all the noise and congestion Huset’s brings to town.
If anyone can improve on my estimates so they are more accurate, please do.
June 25th, 2007 at 10:21 am
First off the sales tax is a progressive tax meaning that ultimately the consumer pays it not the businesses, so the $18,000.00 or so only gets passed on to the consumer and would not actually come out of the Huset’s owners pockets. The same would be true for property tax, I would guess that the price of the tickets would go up by a dollar or two if they were in the city limits, Plus then the City would have to provide all of the city service (NEW sewer, New water and police protection) to Huset’s like it or not. If you wanted to see if Huset’s makes a dollar impact on the community you can check with the State via SDSU for Brandon sales taxes by quarter for the last several years and compare the numbers which will tell you if more sales tax dollars are collected during the time that Huset’s runs. All that being said is this about tax revenue or about NOISE and is SOMBODY GETTING AWAY WITH SOMETHING that you can not get away with?
June 25th, 2007 at 10:38 am
I suspect you are right that if Huset’s were annexed into the city limits, gate prices would go up a buck or two.
That’s interesting about the quarterly sales tax numbers. I will check into that.
I’m not sure what you mean about getting away with something. Would you elaborate on that part?
June 25th, 2007 at 11:35 am
From the postings I got the feeling that many people feel that Huset’s is getting away with not paying their fair share of something, such as (Not paying enough sales tax, property taxes ect) Each of the individuals posting comments have to pay their share of taxes so why should not Huset’s have to pay more? It seams to me many people forget that ALL business DO NOT pay those taxes, they are passed on to the consumers to pay. So the tax issue taken out of the equation, what is left? Noise or jealously. If you wanted to do something about the noise, Minnehaha County (not the City of Brandon) could pass a noise law the would effectively shut them down, but I do not think that is going to happen.
June 25th, 2007 at 11:53 am
The city of Brandon is missing out on these dollars. But the noise is really why the city should step in whether it’s in the city or not.
Huset’s is a business and run very well. Can’t they lower the noise? Have they tried?
It is the city council that needs to do their job and make things better for the city. The noise causing stress among the residents and is definitely slowing residential growth south. Huset’s knows these problems exist and has done nothing to relieve it. Rubin stepped up by running for council. That was to help Huset’s, not the city.
If it does not help the city, is now harming the city growth and the residence absolutely do not like the noise, so then get rid of it. Three strikes your out.
June 25th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
You know if 100 families bought in Brandon instead of WalMart, Sam’s, Menards, cheaper Sioux Falls Gas, Restaurants, then the city would have by far more tax revenue than 1% that Huset’s could ever collect in a year.
The City has no more power over the noise at Huset’s, other than what a normal citizen would have and that would be to complain to the County and State.
My son races a stock car and no, they can not be quit, basically the less exhaust resistance the more horsepower gotten and the faster they go. Huset’s is in a bowl and the noise is going to go up, no way to muffle that. So if it is a problem to you issue a complaint to the county and state, its your right and duty.
And as for Rubin being on the city council, one man cannot and does not control the City. I worked as a City Auditor for over 6 years and I can tell you that one persons has no direct control or even beneficial influence in what goes on, not even the Mayor, it is not possible, it takes a majority of the members of the council to agree before any agenda gets approve. I personally have friends (and not Rubin, I had no idea who he was before today) on the council and they are there for the city and not themselves. Contrary to popular belief all politicians are not crooked self-serving individuals and the job of being a local public official has got to be one of the top 10 worst jobs in the world.
June 25th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Oh by the way if you do not like Rubin being on the council, do your civic duty and either run yourself or run some one against him.
June 25th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Roger, you’ve got a good point about buying in Brandon. I wonder if people realize that the sales tax money they spend pays for the services they get.
That has been one of the objectives of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s Buy Brandon campaign for years — to teach people how their tax money benefits them directly.
But we’re getting a bit off topic. If you’d like to talk about Buy Brandon, I surely can start a new thread on that.
June 25th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Alica, I thought that, that was your original question or point. How much sales tax revenue is or is not attributed to Huset’s during a racing season, that could be collected by Brandon. Again, a minuscule amount compared to the amount we Brandonites spend in Sioux Falls.
Oh buy the way most all business are closed when Huset’s finishes.
Last Saturday night on the way home from a movie in Sioux Falls, at 12:30am no place was open to get an ice cream.
June 25th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Some good points. Here’s a few thoughts.
Alcia, you’re right about the conservative example. Many of the races at husets are “special races” that bring about $25 a ticket. And 1/2 attendance is probably waaay low. And Roger it has nothing to do with jealousy, I’m all for making money, but I have a problem with making money at the expense of others enjoyment and not giving back to the community by paying taxes.
Buy Brandon….I agree and do spread my dollars around. Playing the devils advocate here though….if we want to compete with SF than Brandon business’ need to be comparable across the board. I don’t just mean price either. How about hours of operation? It’s a vicious circle that the business’s say they can’t warrant longer hours, but you lose customer service with shorter hours.
We’re no longer an 8-5 culture. In Brandon you can’t bank after hours, you can’t shop retail after hours, heck I can’t even buy a cup of good coffee at the Neighbors at 7:00 AM on a Saturday on my way to work. I can’t have a dessert and coffee past 5:00!!
If business’ are going to compete with SF than they have to take into consideration the people who do shift work (which is a lot by the way) If you work at one of the 4 hospitals for example, you leave the house at 6:00 am and return at 8:00 pm.
A thought about our city council. It’s not made up of one man, but it’s made up of one man and his friends, and that’s a different ball game. One sells box seats and one sells beer at Husets. And the ambulance provider they’re going to hire has worked for Husets for years. Yes, there a couple that don’t have their own agenda and I’d hate to be them. You couldn’t pay me enough to sit on that council and be pushed around like some are.
I’m in agreement with Ray. Brandon is only getting the negatives with Husets, why do our city leaders not see that. Oakridge Nursery is contributing and they don’t disturb the peace.
June 25th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Here are my final comments on this issue.
If its about the City Council, then my suggestion is again, Run for office and get the vote out.
If the majority of the voters feel the same way you do then you are a shoe -in.
Also I am not sure that you could get flood insurance south of Huset’s and I do not think that the city could afford to put water and sewer in there, that land is way too low. Was not the man that has the pigmy goats about flooded out last year?
Again if it is about the noise, start a petition drive and complain to the County. It is not a City jurisdiction issue.
Yes, I understand, where do you start and stop with individual rights versus business rights? But the last time I checked we still live in a capitalistic society and not a socialistic one. What might be fair to you and me is not necessarily fair for all and visa versa.
June 25th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Just because we annex in the land all the way to Husets doesn’t mean we have to build anything else on it. Green space is good. We got sewer and water all the way out to Bethany Meadows.
June 25th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
After reading through everyones thoughts and pondering their words, I would like to thank Alicia for her question and taking the time to investigate some of the answers.Iam so pleased that Roger got to voice his opinions, after all we all have the right to do just that. But I do have to say Roger,Roger, Roger. Do you realize that in your postings you contradict yourself a time or two? Your son races stock cars, where? And even if he is only 10 years old,don’t they all want to attend a race at the Big Noisy,Husets? Your friends are on City council, but until today you didn’t know who Rubin was?I refer back to your son,who races. So do you attend the races? If so then you may have bought a beer from councilman Karber, or perhaps ex-councilman Serk .Your council friend hasn’t mentioned Rubin before now? Maybe you meant you occasionaly see this person and you never talk about Brandon???? I sure hope you don’t think that I am picking on you Roger,I think that you do not know all of the facts, perhaps being in government before, you would be highly qualified to be on Brandon’s Council. Oh no wait,you live in the country.You can’t even vote in a City election. So move into Brandon as I did 15 years ago,get to know the “good old boys” and run,And remember Steve Rubin is drawing a paycheck from the City of Brandon, but yet it appears Husets chooses not to be a part of the City. Oh,in the last 8 days there has been 5 races at that place.
June 25th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Sorry All, I said that I was done commenting, but Nancy brought up some different topics. Nancy maybe you do not know me as well as you think. First of all I do not have a 10 year old son, I certainly would not let him drive a race car if I did. I have a 28 year old son, a 24 year old son, a 14 almost 15 year old son and an almost 6 year old son. My 28 year old son has raced street stock cars for the last five years in west river South Dakota and last year he just happened to win the point championship at the track that he was racing at in his class. In the 18 years that I have lived in this community, I have been to Huset’s perhaps 6 times, not my sport. As for having a beer with councilman Karber, I do not partake of alcohol beverages, or do drugs or chase women, or beat my wife and kids, but on an occasion I have been known to swear, so there I hope to have enlightened you a bit about the vices in my life. As for not living in Brandon proper I did not know that you had to, to be a member of this community. Um been sending my children here to school for ten years, been purchasing groceries, gas, eating at restaurant’s, been attending church here for going on 15 years, have a Brandon branch library card, a Brandon telephone number, a Brandon address, but since I do not live in Brandon proper, I do not know what is going on or should have an opinion about it. Um I wonder how the other 2,000 or so Brandon community residences that do not live in town would feel about that? Just as it is your choice to live in Brandon and call it home it is my choice to live on the outskirts of Brandon and call it home. As a matter of fact at the end of this week we are moving, and yes it is closer to Huset’s oops was not going to bring that one up again, sorry. I do not know where you lived before moving into Brandon, but I suspect that you knew of Huset’s before moving into town, and have not done anything about the noise for the last 15 years? And if you do not like Rubin being on the city council, (by the way somebody had to elect him, must have been a bunch of idiots uh), start a recall process. All that I am saying is to take control of the processes that you have at hand and quit whining about it.
June 25th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Sorry some how that last blog my name go left off. Oh at least I am not afraid to put my full name on my opinions.
June 26th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Maybe the races could be run on Sunday afternoon or start earlier than they do so that they don’t end so late. Hearing those noisy machines at 10:30 is too late. Many people are in bed by then because they get up early on Monday morning to go to work. If Mr. Rubin is the civic leader he claims he is, he may want to consider starting earlier.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Good input Charles, but I’d have to say “good luck with that.” It won’t happen.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:39 am
The races generally start when the sun goes down. It is dangerous to have the drivers on the track with the sun setting. So that affects the start time.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
To: just me; I understand what you are trying to say about driving on the track with the setting sun, implying that it would be in the drivers eyes. I would be more likely to believe that that is the reason for starting the races at 8:00 if the sun set before that. However, the sunset today is 9:12. that means they are driving for a full hour before sunset (and during sunset). Even at the end of the season, or two months from now, the sun is setting at 8:13 on August 26.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I’ve lived in Brandon for 29 years. Got ya all beat. Of course I knew Huset’s was there. It was a horse of a different color, then. There were no “special” races that ran mulitple times during the week, no “amped up” cars making so much noise, your head starts to hurt right around hour 2. Oh believe me. I’ve complained. Been told “not much can be done”, so I forgo entertaining on Sunday night. And Monday nights. And Tuesday nights, and Wednesday night, and I can’t foget Thursday and Friday night. And the capper! Saturady night!
Roger, YAY you, all name posting! Some people have to work with these people. Have to deal with them on a daily basis. Might even be neighbors with them. Maybe that’s why they go with anonymity. Just a thought.
Not that I’m supporting Nancy, but my interpretation of it was very tongue in cheek. The point she was making was that she was surprised that in your dealings with your councilman friends/ son’s racing, that you hadn’t been exposed to Mr. Rubin. I’ll throw in my two cents here and express my own disbelief as well, but to each their own.
I’m also glad you support us with your tax dollars. Now I think it’s Mr. Rubins turn to do the same.
Go ahead! Have a beer, Rog…might mellow you out a bit.
June 27th, 2007 at 9:04 am
I believe the issue of annexing Husets comes up every few years, Someone mention in this blog that the taxes raised would be about $18000. Before we all jump on Husets, consider this, If annexed the city of Brandon would have to provide all the services, such as sewer and water. I think that the costs of providing those services would quickly out weight the benifit the city would recieve. As for the noise, lived here for 28 years have’nt moved yet. To many other good things about Brandon. As I see it if the noise bothered me that much I’d pack up and move as Huset’s was here first.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Huset’s already enjoys several city benefits because they are so close to the city limits. For example, they are on a state highway, so snow removal (and road maintenance and repair) will come regardless.
The track enjoys faster police and fire protection because both departments have agreements to help each other.
According to City Hall, Huset’s is not eligible to hook up to city water or sewer unless they are in the city limits. They would have to pay for the lines to their property, just as everyone else has to pay, either directly or through a developer. In Huset’s case, as with any existing property, the city would most likely install the water and sewer lines and assess the cost back through a special assessment.
I haven’t mentioned noise in any of my posts so far, but I will now. I’ve lived in Brandon since 1964 and grew up hearing the races every Sunday night. In recent years, the season has gotten longer and there are more special races. So although the noise level has not increased, the duration has.
I am told that tracks in California and along the east coast require the cars to have mufflers to control the noise. I have not confirmed this, though.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Alica is right, police protection is provided because of mutual aid agreements. Brandon police and fire would respond to a car accident on highway 11 if a 911 call came in. Also, once a home or business is hooked up to city water and sewer, they pay the city for what they use.
If mufflers were required on all of the race cars, there would be no set-back to the drivers as they would all be required to use the same equipment. No different than everyone having to use a certain cubic inch engine.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Interesting posts! I live 4 miles south of Brandon and I hear Husets. The noise varies depending on the wind direction which is rarely out of the north in the summer. I’ve always wondered what the people who live in Brandon thought of Husets and how loud it must be. Now I know!
I’ll say this for Husets (I’m not a race fan) - at least they bring people INTO Brandon by offering a product to a growing consumer base. The fast food restaurant on the other end of town chases people OUT of Brandon by offering the worst customer service that I’ve ever experienced. In a town that has businesses that provide outstanding customer service (True Value, Pizza Ranch, 1948 Trading Co., and Oak Ridge to name a few), it only takes one stop at the golden arches to convince people not to come back to Brandon. What a horrible representative for a wonderful town!
Husets may have its issues, but as far as I’m concerned there’s at least one business in Brandon that is far worse.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Curt,
Hopefully the business you mention will heed your thoughts and change their service.
I still really don’t believe Huset’s brings people into Brandon. They roll through from the interstate and everything is closed when the races are over.
To add to a short list of business’ needing to improve things. Have you been to Dairy Queen in the evening? I’ve never seen anything so filthy in my life. And it isn’t one days worth of “yuk” I can’t believe the health department lets them operate.
June 27th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
I have gone to DQ and you are correct. I do like the looks of the new Taco John’s and I think the front of the bank looks sharp. That corner has seen quite a transformation in the last year.
As far as Huset’s, I think Pizza Ranch may see a little pick up before the race and I suppose some people stop for gas, but I’m sure most people just want to get home at that hour.
One point I would like to make is that if Husets were to pay taxes and then passed that cost on to the consumer, a lot of those dollars are coming from outside of Brandon. So, it isn’t like the people of Brandon are getting socked with the bill.
June 28th, 2007 at 8:17 am
I agree with the comment that a single person can’t influence the council. That’s why that person gets friends elected to the council. I’ve lived in Brandon my whole life and it has always been this way in Brandon. School board, city council, its all the same. Get a couple of freinds together on a board or a council and do whatever you want. For years the school board would hold an annual “retreat” in Sioux Falls at a private country club or a fancy restaurant. Of course, it was open to the public (if you happened to read the small advertisement and wanted to drive across Sioux Falls and enter a private country club). The school board was run by one person who recruited his friends to run and no one would stand in his way. That kind of stopped when they started televising school board meetings, but it seems to have started again. The city council operates much the same way. Do they televise their meetings? Hmmm.
As I said, it’s seems that it has always been that way in Brandon. And if someone makes waves or tries to change things, they’ll be voted out at the next election. It just happened at the last school board election.
Why does it happen? Simple. Because the voters of Brandon are lazy and appathetic. We love our community! We’re proud of our school! We’re so proud that 9 out of 10 of us don’t even bother to vote in school and municipal elections. Of those that do take the time to vote, very few actually take the time to research where a candidate stands on issues. Most of the people vote based on whether they recognize the name. Or, better yet, they have a cousin who’s wife works with the niece of one of the candidates and she said he’s a good guy. Never mind if he (the candidate) can utter an intelligent sentence, think through a problem, or where they stand on issues!
The bottom line is that until the people of Brandon get off their lazy duffs, do some research and cast intelligent and informed votes, things will not change.
Alica, if you want to get change in Brandon, don’t run as Roger suggests. Inform and motivate the people of Brandon to vote. Once people are informed as to what is going on, there will be no shortage of quality candidates.
June 28th, 2007 at 9:39 am
The noise is part of summer in Brandon - just like motorcycles! If you don’t like it - move! I don’t hear anyone trying to get motorcycles or loud cars off the streets. I’ve met people from Omaha, etc. that have been to Huset’s. Therefore it does draw people outside of this area. As far as the “more than just Sunday nights” I think it’s nice that they have “monster trucks” for Father’s day and other special events. The Brandon/Sioux Falls area need to bring in more events and things for people to do to keep them in this area instead of them going to Omaha and the Cities to spend their money - it would be nice to keep some entertainment money in this state.
As far as Huset’s bringing in money, I see sprint cars using the car wash on Sunday afternoons. I’m not positive but I would think that they would also need gas or food while they are here. I’m sure they don’t go all day without eating. I also see a lot of race haulers parked in the hotel parking lots on Monday mornings. I’m sure the hotels wouldn’t let them park there if they weren’t staying there. I’ve also talked to people who have gone to the bars after the races for a beer or two.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:08 am
To anonymous: I can’t run for City Council as long as I’m working at the Argus Leader (or any newspaper, really). It would be a big-time conflict of interest.
To Tank: I see the sign in front of Sneakers bar says something about winning free Huset’s tickets, so they must do business with Huset’s customers. If not on race nights, then other nights of the week.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Interesting issue to say the least. Last night was talking to some individuals about this topic and everyone ways asking WHY? One individuals asked if anyone had mentioned sitting in their driveway or back yard and watching the fireworks display that Huesets puts on a couple times a year. Another asked if any one had mentioned listening to the free concerts from Huesets. As I’ve come to know with human nature everyone can find something to complain about on every topic if they want to. This entire issue appears to be pick on mister Rubin who is on the council and had something to do with the ambulance issue.
Sad, as anonymous says there are other more important issue’s concerning this city other than if Huests should be in the city limits. People would know that if they only got more involved with the city.
As for Huset being in the city limits, don’t care!
I suppose the next issue to discuss is wether or not the cattle yard east of town, which can be smelt if the wind is right should be allowed to exist so close to town!!!!!!!
June 28th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
We usually travel for the 4th of July so we don’t get to see the fireworks from Husets. We can’t hear the concerts from our house but we CAN hear the race cars.
I for one would trade the “benefits” we get from having Husets so close to Brandon for the peace and quiet of not having them here at all.
Having said all of that, I know there is nothing we can do, but that is what this modern forum of blogs provides, an electonic soapbox-in-the public-square.
I do enjoy living in Brandon and will continue to pray for rain on Sunday evenings!
June 28th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
To AL: I remember clearly hearing the Willie Nelson concert at Huset’s, and the Beach Boys too, although they weren’t so clear because of the wind direction that night. Also, we look at Huset’s’ July 4 fireworks from our south-facing front yard every year, since we live close (Richland Park). Years ago (we’ve lived at this address for 29 years), we could see the fireworks clearly, but now the trees are much taller, so we can see only the real high ones.
I worked in Huset’s concessions one summer when I was in high school. My dad was on a pit crew for many years, and my brother and his wife both worked there for several years. My dad was good friends with Clarence Rubin (Alderman Steve Rubin’s father). Members of my family have attended races there for decades.
Sometimes the noise bothers me. Most times, I tune it out.
The city is growing up around Huset’s. Other nearby properties have come into the city limits. Huset’s enjoys many city amenities already without having to chip in with sales and property taxes like others have to.
Let me put a twist on the question and ask, “What is the advantage to the city of leaving Huset’s out of the city limits?” “Why is it a good idea to not annex the track?”
June 28th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
The only advantage to having Huset’s in the city limits would be for the stated tax reasons. As mentioned earlier, Husets would have to pay for sewer and water to be extended to there property as well as the probable lift station that they would have to have for the sewer. No advantage at all for them, the only one would be for the city tax coffers.
I would hope that we as a city do not need to go out and look for revenue by telling people and business that they have to be in city limits merely so that we can collect taxes from them.
Government gets to involved in everyone’s life to much, whats the old saying ” to much big government is not healthy for the common folk”
Husets is an established business that has been here for many years, have they been good for the city, I think everyone should say YES. Are they to noisey, perhaps, but as I stated we can find fault with just about anything we want to.
Should they be forced to be annex for the reasons stated, I surly hope not.
I would hate to be so bold as to reinerate my statement that I hope this is not a witch hunt strictly because Mr. Rubin in on the council and pushed for the ambulance issue. Keep in mind he’s only one of six council members, they have a responsibility to make decisions for the betterment of the community. If as decision has been made that people don’t like, one individuakl should not be single out.
June 28th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
To AL: I brought up the blog question about Huset’s because I was interested in knowing what people thought about it. Coincidentally, Steve Rubin is involved in the ambulance thing too, but that’s a whole separate topic. At least in my mind they are separate.
You’re right, annexing Huset’s would benefit the city more than it would benefit Huset’s. That’s partly because Huset’s already is enjoying a good share of city amenities.
One way Huset’s would benefit would be in increased prestige among Brandon residents. It would be a generous gesture, especially for a City Council person who says he has the city’s best interests at heart.
I suspect eventually it will happen, because all the surrounding land is being annexed as the city grows. Just a matter of time.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
AL,
Maybe one of the points about Rubin and the ambulance issue is he should have never “pushed” that issue as it is a conflict of interest since he employs Jay Masur.
June 29th, 2007 at 8:43 am
To my knowledge, the city of Brandon has never proactively annexed any land into the city. Additions have come at the request of the land owner. I think it would make for a bad precident if they were to annex Husets.
They have been a mainstay of the Brandon area for a long time and should be allowed to do what they, as a business, think is best for them. It would be nice if the Rubin’s would admit that they get more from Brandon than Brandon gets from them.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Husets is a great Brandon business. The noise lulls me to sleep on Sunday nights, so I can’t complain about that. However, as Brandon grows, they will need to become part of the community and start paying taxes to the city. Our community is only as strong as the community members, and you aren’t a strong community member if you aren’t willing to pay taxes. The support needs to be mutual.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
mmmm