People living in a neighborhood just outside of Pierre are publicly opposing a home for recovering alcoholics.
The house sits just outside of Pierre city limits. Due to planning and zoning ordinances, the city of Pierre and Hughes County work together within the first few miles outside of town.
Concerned neighbors spoke out at a City Commission meeting on Tuesday night, voicing concerns over Capital Area Counseling's plan to place a sober living home right in the middle of their neighborhood.
Rita Baumgart lives next door to the proposed facility. She says its not only a concern for her new neighbors but she and her neighbors are troubled, because they didn't have a voice.
"I'm a little disappointed that we don't have a say, because we can't vote in the city. We feel we have no representation because we live in the county but go by the city zoning laws," said Baumgart.
Baumgart feels she didn't have the chance to speak out in time. She found out about the project recently through the rumor mill. After that, she went right to the source.
"I went to Capital Area Counseling. No one from there came to me," said Baumgart.
That's why Baumgart is concerned. The lack of communication that is making a lot of the neighbors skeptical.
Baumgart made it clear she's not thrilled about the project which will place up to 5 recovering alcoholics in the single-family home next door.
"We don't have enough information about who will be living there and how often people will be coming and going. It wont be a stable neighborhood. It'll be a continual turnover of people, said Baumgart.
KSFY talked with Capital Area Counseling board member Mark Swendsen who says this project meets all requirements for this location.
Swendsen says with the continued success of similar projects in Sioux Falls, there is a definite need in this part of the state.
"Our goal is to be a good neighbor, to be part of the neighborhood," said Swendsen.
Swendsen tells says this living environment has nothing to do with treatment. The potential residents have a strong desire to get back on track, obtain full-time jobs, become productive members of society and support one another for up to several months at a time.
This information is still not sitting well with neighbors.
"I still have concerns regarding no law enforcement with regular patrols in the area and these individuals will be unsupervised," said Baumgart.
At this point, there is little neighbors can do after testifying in Tuesday's meeting.
They hope Capital Area Counseling will be forthcoming with information and there will be better communication down the road.
