Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota • Page 26

2D SIOUX EMPIRE Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sunday, July 3, 1994 Oeadlwdl profe dlrop sDBgMy Odd 1 outside area is increasing, gaming industry officials say Competition The Associated Press PIERRE Profits at Deadwood gaming halls declined to 4 percent last year, an indication to industry officials of increased competition from outside the Black Hills. The Deadwood gambling establishments reported a profit margin of 5 percent in 1992, according to a state gaming regulator. Only 47 of the 84 establishments reported making a profit last year, based on financial statements submitted to the South Dakota Gaming Commission. maximum $5 bet to $100. Deadwood gambling halls reported 1993 revenues of $72.8 million.

They included gross gaming revenue of $45.1 million, food sales of $9.8 million, beverage sales of $4.2 million, and $13.5 million from retail and lodging business. Expenses included $10.8 million in taxes and license fees; $17.8 million for payroll; $9.4 million for food, beverage and retail goods; $11.6 million for bad debt, complimentary items and other expenses, and $20.2 million for general costs. Deadwood faces much more competition nationally than it did when gambling returned five years ago, said Jon Mattson, a lawyer involved in the development of Deadwood gambling. He said there was general agreement in the Deadwood gambling industry that a higher bet limit would help. "Whether that's politically obtainable is another question," Mattson said.

South Dakota voters last fall rejected expanding Dead-wood limits, including raising the Rich: Family would celebrate July 5 Phone-service ruling for Brookings annex approved by court DAKOTA DATELINES Police seek clues in disappearance RAPID CITY Authorities have asked for help from the public in solving the mystery of a woman's disappearance and a friend's death two days later. Tina Marie Marcotte, 30, disappeared in the early morning hours of June 24 after she left work at Black Hills Molding. A friend of hers, Tom Kueter, 29, died Monday when a forklift ran over him at another wood processing plant. On Friday, police released a list of items Marcotte had with her the night she disappeared and displayed a photograph of a car which may have been involved. Capt.

Doug Noyes of the Rapid City Police Department would not say if investigators think Marcotte's disappearance and Kueter's death are related. Police released a photograph of a 1975 Pontiac LeMans sedan they said Marcotte may have been seen in the morning she disappeared. Patrick Gleason, Marcotte's live-in boyfriend, identified the car as Kueter's. Marcotte is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown eyes and long brown hair. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, white sneakers and a top of an unknown color.

State's attorney says accusations 'lies' RAPID CITY Pennington County State's Attorney Dennis Groff says sexual harassment allegations are "lies" distracting him from a major murder case. Kristine Erdahl, a former paralegal in Groff's office, has filed a complaint against Groff with the state Division of Human Rights. The complaint said Groff pressured her into having sex with him and retaliated against her when she would not. Groff called the allegations "lies, pure and simple." Erdahl's complaint said Groff harassed her from December m-m'K" Continued from 1 in front of the warehouse. But working for her demanding dad was never easy, she said.

At one point she told her father she couldn't work for him anymore. He said she could either work for him and get paid or work for him for free. "My father ran his business like a dictator," said Mike Rich, who was also hired at 15 to run a stand. "There wasn't a choice if you wanted to live in his house." The family would work through July 4 and then celebrate the holiday the next day with their own fireworks show and a picnic. "I never enjoyed the Fourth of July, because we were always so busy," Coddington said.

One by one, the other brothers retired from the business. But Rich continued to sell fireworks Rich trained his son, Mike, to take over Rich Brothers when he finally stepped down as president. Coddington was interested in the business, too, but said her father would have never handed the company over to a woman. Mike Rich, 46, assumed the role of president about 15 years ago. The position was really just a title, though, he said.

Rich, who remained chairman of the board, had his hands in the business until about two years ago. "Even people who didn't like Lyle or the way he ran his business admired what he could do," said Coddington, co-owner of The Book Shop in downtown Sioux Falls. As Rich Brothers enters a new era, the future of the company is uncertain. Mike Rich wonders if a relative will want to take over the business when he retires. "One thing's for sure," he said.

"I will not be here at 86 working every day like my father." Seniors: 71 Continued from 1D "There are a lot of theories on why, but most likely is that somebody over 65 has a stake in the outcome in the election and 18-year-olds don't see outcome affecting their life," he says. In a June 10 survey, of 1,035 senior citizens interviewed by Wirthlin, more than 71 percent labeled themselves as conservative, while 46 percent of the 18 to 24 age group labeled themselves conservative. In the most recent survey, 53 percent of the senior citizens listed social issues as their top concern. That category includes worries about crime. The survey showed 19 percent said pocketbook issues troubled them most.

Janklow's campaign officials have said they drew heavily from By CHET BROKAW Associated Press PIERRE The Brookings Municipal Telephone Co. can provide phone service to an industrial area recently annexed into the city, a split state Supreme Court ruled this week. On a 3-2 vote, the high court upheld the state Public Utilities Commission's decision to transfer service rights for the industrial area from the Interstate Telephone Cooperative to the Brookings Municipal Telephone Co. ITC, formerly called the Brookings Lake Telephone provides telephone services in the area surrounding Brookings, but the Municipal Telephone Co. provides service within the city.

The two telephone companies have had several court fights when the Municipal Telephone Co. has sought to extend its service to areas annexed into the city, the high court noted. The current dispute involves a large tract known as the Industrial Park Property, which is located along Interstate 29 and is reserved for future industrial development. When Brookings annexed the area in March 1991, the Municipal Telephone Co. asked the PUC to transfer the telephone service rights to it from ITC.

When the PUC approved the transfer on a 2-1 vote, the commissioners supporting it said the court's ruling in a similar 1988 case provided a precedent. The Supreme Court said administrative agencies, such as the PUC, are not bound by precedents set by those agencies' own prior rulings. The PUC could change its position based on a new interpretation of what is in the public interest, the court said. In the 1988 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that ITC had property rights to an area surrounding the city of Brookings only if ITC was already serving a customer in the area to be annexed. The majority of the Supreme Court said the PUC in the more recent case decided not to change its definition of an area occupied and served by another telephone company.

The PUC did not claim it was bound by the previous case involving the Brookings area, the high court said. ITC had no customers in the annexed industrial area, so it had no property right to the area, the court majority ruled. That meant the PUC decision to transfer service rights in the area to the "What you see is revenues have stabilized in total and profits declining. I'm not sure that's healthy," Grant Gubbrud, the commission's director of operations, told a gambling study committee of the state Legislature. "My opinion is it's spread out more in town," Gubbrud said.

"There's been several new operations that have come into town and spread the gaming dollar out a little bit." Total profit came to $2.95 million. That was down from about $3.5 Lyle Rich (right) and friend Jake the mid-1 930s. percent are senior citizens in their primary victory over Gov. Walter D. Miller, even though that age group was considered to be more of a loyalist group faithful to the old guard that the governor represented.

Jim Robinson, research director for Robinson Muenster Associates, agrees that senior citizens tend to be more conservative but says South Dakota Democrats have done a good job of convincing citizens that conservatives will jeopardize their entitlement programs. He says senior citizen interest groups have become a powerful force in Washington. "There are like a freight train. Get out of the way for them or they will get you." Robinson says the perception in I mean." While the community crosses its fingers that there will be no repeat of flooding this year, Brady says dredging work needs to be done. "Nothing has been done in that area.

We had a meeting with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) two weeks ago. We are going to be the subject of a study to divert waters. That is at least a year away and it is very costly." Mark Thompson, who did not seek re-election to the city council, agrees that the situation is improving. "We have a good thing now. We had some jealousy.

Some were thinking others were getting more than they got. Those things happen at a time like this," Temple Church, 2121 W. 33rd St. Call 332-2303. Theater, "The Gingerbread Lady," 8 p.m., Barn Theater.

Call 368-5180 for information. Live music Zwarte, rock, 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Dell Rapids Steak House, 428-31 71 Debra Birch, country, 9 p.m. to 1 :30 a.m., Grain Bin, 339-1264. JonoFest III with Neptune Jive, Neo Johnsons, Groove Digest and Life B-4 a.v'f a million for 1992, which was the first year the halls showed an overall profit since Deadwood gambling began in 1989.

"Our industry is fragile and '93 shows we are not going in the right direction. We are going in the wrong direction," said Mike Rodman, Deadwood Gaming Association president. He said Deadwood had spent more on marketing in response to increased competition from Indian tribal casinos operating in South Dakota and North Dakota. Moser visit the Black Hills in conservatives Washington is that the groups are deceptive. "I think it is accurate to say that they are perceived as no better than people who run scams on senior citizen groups." Robinson says the groups come in contact with senior citizens selling fearful possibilities, like concerns about losing Social Security and Medicare, and then they enlist them to fight the risk for a fee.

Dettman agrees that some senior groups are amassing too much power. "I don't like some of that power, so I don't belong to those organizations. But I do think it is natural to share certain concerns at certain ages." Thompson says. Shortly after the flooding, Thompson was chosen to represent South Dakota when President Clinton honored volunteers for flood assistance. While Thompson shared the frustrations of most officials in Montrose, he now says his faith is restored.

"There are just a lot of good people here," he says. In addition to the new fire hall, the townsfolk are buzzing about their new steak house. Jackie and Joe Halbritter restored the old bank and leased it to Buck Mentele. "We planned it before the flood, but now that it is open, people seem glad to have it here," Jackie Halbritter says. Color, rock, 2 p.m., Jono's, 332-1382.

The Argus Leader invites notices of meetings, entertainment, programs, lectures and other events which are open and of interest to the general public. Information should be typed and include the contributor's name and telephone number. Please submit at least one week In advance to: Dakota Calendar, Argus Leader, P.O. Box 5034, Slouxjfalls 571 17-5034. Child-molestation sentence upheld The Associated Press PIERRE The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld a Spearfish man's 180-year prison sentence for raping a child under the age of 10.

The high court ruled unanimously that the sentence given to Toby Wade Ferguson does not violate the U.S. Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Ferguson originally was charged with 28 counts of rape and 38 counts of sexual contact with a minor. In a plea bargain, he pleaded guilty to one count of rape and seven counts of sexual contact with a minor, and the rest of the charged were dismissed. Circuit Judge Warren Johnson of Deadwood sentenced Ferguson to 180 years in prison on the rape conviction and 15 years in prison on the sexual-contact convictions.

Ferguson's own calculations indicate he will be eligible for parole after 21 years in prison, when he will be 42 years old, the high court said. Ferguson was sexually abused as a child but never received treatment for it, according to court records. Municipal Telephone Co. can stand, the justices said. But in a dissent, Justices George Wuest and Robert Amundson said the case should be sent back to the PUC for further proceedings.

The PUC had believed incorrectly that it was bound by the precedent of the previous case, so it should be allowed to reconsider whether transferring service rights to the industrial area is in the public interest, Wuest wrote. Wuest also said he believes ITC has a property right in the industrial area because the company makes investments based on expected customers in such areas. The PUC should reconsider the case to determine any compensation due to ITC for its loss of the right to provide phone service in the area, he said. Phone -State. 339-9123 until she quit her job in May.

She said Groff also would show up at her part-time job, call her at odd hours, follow her to public places and drive to her home. Groff said he was focusing on the William Helmer first-degree murder trial. Groff rested the prosecution's case Friday, and defense testimony is scheduled to resume Tuesday. FmHA offers loans for farmers, ranchers HURON Farmers and ranchers in 32 South Dakota counties are eligible for emergency loans through the Farmers Home Administration, according to state FmHA Director Dallas Tonsager. President Clinton declared a disaster in 15 counties because of flooding since March 1.

The emergency loans are available in those counties and 17 contiguous counties, Tonsager said. The loans are available for family-sized farmers and ranchers who have sustained qualifying losses and who otherwise are eligible for FmHA assistance. He said the interest rate for emergency loans is 3.75 percent. Loan applications must be filed by Feb. 21.

Projects in state receive funding The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that appropriates several million dollars for use in South Dakota for 1995. Congressman Tim Johnson, said the Interior Appropriations Bill will increase funding for the National Park Service by $36,400,000 over 1994 and by $600,000 for tribal community colleges. The bill includes other items related to the state: $4 million for continued construction on a new building at the EROS Data Center near Sioux Falls. $1,291,000 to operate the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills.

$627,000 for pond repair, landscaping and building equipment at the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery in Spearfish. $400,000 for equipment at the new Indian Health Service Hospital on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Madison homes to be auctioned MADISON The city of Madison will sell seven homes bought through a flood relocation program at a public auction July 16. The buyers must move the homes, located along the two creeks that flow through town.

If there are no buyers, the city will accept sealed bids for demolition of the homes. CAREFREE LEISURELY FRIENDLY SCENIC COMFORTABLE SPACIOUS Montrose: Town worked together after flood CONVENIENT INDEPENDENT AFFORDABLE INTERESTING? SECURE, DAILY MEAL LIBRARY CRAFT ROOM LOUNGES BEAUTY SHOPS APARTMENTS LAUNDRY FACILITIES TRANSPORTATION ASSISTED LIVING EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM Continued from 1D "For once everybody worked together. No one was screaming at each other," she says. Mayor Scott Brady didn't want to be the town's leader anymore when his term expired in April, so he didn't seek re-election. One candidate took out a petition, but then withdrew.

Brady is still mayor. "We've gained $1 million worth of tax base. We've added seven new homes, two four-plex apartments. We are going to grow," Brady says. If anything else, the flood taught him to appreciate people.

"I find there are a lot more good people than bad. If you could have seen the clean-up work in the last couple of weeks, you'd know what DAKOTA CALENDAR Today's events Sioux Falls Canaries vs. Sioux City, 2:05 p.m., Sioux Falls Stadium. Sioux Falls Municipal Band concert, 3 p.m., Frank Olson Park, 18th Street and Sycamore Avenue, and 8 p.m., Terrace Park. All-Ages Beach Party, featuring the Rude Awakening Band, gates open at 10 a.m., Catfish Bay Water Ski Park.

Admission is $5. No coolers. Reflection '94 Concert, 6:30 p.m., Faith YES! IT SOUNDS INTERESTING! Please call, I would like to arrange a personal visit Please send me more information Name. Address City I Please mail to: Nancy Meyer TRAIL RIDGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 2101 West 4 1st Street Suite 58 Sioux Falls, SD 57105 as.