Sioux City Journal

Keep Union County the way it is

Posted: Wednesday, December 19, 2007

ELK POINT, S.D. -- Just want to let the people of Elk Point know why my daughter and I chose to live here in your city. Back some five years ago when looking for a small community to live in, we visited many of the surrounding area communities. We never found one that was as friendly and warm to strangers as the people of Elk Point. We not only found home again, we made friends with those who are there for us and are not afraid to help out when the need arises.

This small town has a lot to offer others who are looking for a place to call home. This area of the country is clean, good agricultural land that should not be changed. It will be a terrible day for us all if this Hyperion thing comes in and ruins not only the health and welfare of our lives and that of our children, but ruin the friendships we, as a community, have with each other.

Economically the idea is good for South Dakota, but will it be as good for the people of Union County? is it worth jeopardizing our health with the waste that cannot be taken care of properly? We can't buy good health, can we? But we can do our best to avoid those dangers. -- Candice Ross

Story Comments

Robert wrote on Dec 27, 2007 11:21 AM:

" Jason, I thought you might have an interest in commenting, but I don't understand your logic. I have another question for you. Why do you think wages and home values are so much higher in Dakota County, MN than in Union County, SD? The average home price in Dakota is $152,000 v. 89,000 in Union County based on 2000 data. "

FNG wrote on Dec 27, 2007 10:48 AM:

" jam; I know you would notice 1,000 more people living in your town, the question is; would it fundamentally change your town? 2,800 population is still a small town. "

Jason wrote on Dec 26, 2007 9:24 PM:

" Robert, that would be my parents. They realize full well that they may take a serious hit on that home if this thing goes through. In fact they almost did not go through with it but they think it is a long shot that Hyperion will ever build a refinery here. But if the refinery is built, that will make two of us in the family that will have a home that is not worth much. And if you live in Union County your home value will go down too. Best of luck to you. "

jam wrote on Dec 26, 2007 3:32 PM:

" Elk Point has a population of around 1800, Akron's population is around 1500. Yeah, I think we would notice if 1000 more people moved into our communties. We are not hicks afraid of progress. We live in these small towns because we don't want the crowding, pollution, & noise of the big city. "

Robert wrote on Dec 26, 2007 12:44 PM:

" Jason: The parents of a local and vocal opposition leader just purchased a $350,000+ house a few miles from the proposed site. If housing is going down, why did they buy it? They must want to lose money and get cancer at the same time. Any thoughts? "