STURGIS — The Sturgis City Council will hold a special meeting Monday to discuss several items, including the setting of a date for a referendum election on the Jackpine Gypsies annexation.
The club has successfully gathered enough signatures to refer the recently passes annexation to a vote of the residents of Sturgis.
The council approved the annexation at a June 1 meeting.
Sturgis City Finance Officer Fay Bueno says the council has the option of setting either August 4 or August 18 for the special election. A simple majority of votes for or against will determine the outcome.
The election will be held at the Sturgis Community Center.
The Jackpine Gypsies have stated they are concerned about the city’s annexation of its grounds. They worry the city could impose limits on the events that are held there – mainly during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The city, however, has said it has no intentions of stopping the group from holding its popular annual events.
The Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club is one of the oldest AMA-chartered off-road clubs in the country. Chartered in 1937, the club is credited with hosting the first Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 1938.
Today they host about 12 events during the Rally including short track racing, flat-track racing, motocross racing, hill climbs and road tours.
