Attn May 22 SD "Farmer's Field Refugees"

[Bob Hartig]

For all of those who, like me, got stuck in the farmer's field in South Dakota on May 22, this is a prompt to send the farmer a check if you haven't already done so.

My understanding is that if any one of us is delinquent in paying, all of us will get clobbered with a much larger penalty. The sheriff mentioned a figure of $5,000 per person. I for one don't care to find out whether that's baloney. So remember: Deadline for paying the farmer what at this point amounts to simply damages and towing is June 21.

 

[Randall Cooper]

I wouldnt pay crap! It isnt your guys' fault the farmer planted on the road where he wasn't supposed to! If you took this case to a court, the judge would likely just laugh at it and dismiss it.

 

[MatthewCarman]

I wouldnt pay crap! It isnt your guys' fault the farmer planted on the road where he wasn't supposed to! If you took this case to a court, the judge would likely just laugh at it and dismiss it.

They have already decided to pay so why argue about this again? I think they just want to move on and put this behind them.

 

[Danny Neal]

We don't know for sure if he did plow over it. A bunch of "Good ole' boys" out there as well. (Sheriff/police have the farmers back) We intruded... we pay. Life or death.

 

[Jason Foster]

I wouldnt pay crap! It isnt your guys' fault the farmer planted on the road where he wasn't supposed to! If you took this case to a court, the judge would likely just laugh at it and dismiss it.

When plots were divided many, many years ago, there were no right-away for roads. It is quite possible it's his property to do as he pleased.

Bottomline: Farmers have it hard enough economically, no need to add to the pain.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

Entirely out of curiosity I ask this question: how many individuals owe this $5,000 agreement/settlement?
10?
15?
20?
More?

 

[Jason Foster]

Entirely out of curiosity I ask this question: how many individuals owe this $5,000 agreement/settlement?
10?
15?
20?
More?

I think it came out to $400 a piece...but I could be wrong.

 

[Rob Herman]

You would have to check with the County's Register of Deeds Office to see if the county ever had right of way for a road. IF they did you would have to also check to see if the right-of-way was ever vacated.

According to an old USGS 1:24000 contour map an unimproved dirt road did extend E-W across the field at one time. This does not mean the road was public, you cannot tell whether a dirt road is public or private on an USGS map.

 

[Kurt Hulst]

I believe Bob was saying that owing $5,000 would be a possibility of whats owed if they neglect to pay what was agreed upon at the date mentioned.

Entirely out of curiosity I ask this question: how many individuals owe this $5,000 agreement/settlement?
10?
15?
20?
More?

 

[Bob Hartig]

I believe Bob was saying that owing $5,000 would be a possibility of whats owed if they neglect to pay what was agreed upon at the date mentioned.

Right, Kurt. Right now, I believe (I wasn't one of the owners of the vehicles who handled the arrangements) that the total owed to the farmer is around $5,000. But if that is not paid on time, then--and this is based on an informal conversation with a very pissed-off sheriff at around 1:00 in the morning--every person involved could be penalized at a much higher cost, possibly as much as $5,000 per person.

As for all the input, I appreciate it, but this post is really just a reminder for the guys who were there so we can get this thing behind us without incurring a much higher cost for anyone's delinquency.

 

[Adam Lucio]

I paid my share the next day. If anyone doesn't pay and we have to go through more hell I will have serious beef with that individual.

Its easy for anyone who wasn't involved to say "yea you got screwed I wouldn't pay" etc etc but when your vehicle is stuck on someones private land and wont be yanked out till damages are paid and you have angry farmers and cops standing all over the place...you do what you have to do.

Sure I could have argued it out and perhaps made a case...but then my truck would sit there longer...id have to pay my attorney...id probabaly have to travel back there etc etc not to mention end my chase trip early...and to me its not worth a mere 400 bucks. I was just happy for it to be over with.

IMO I think it is a bluff about facing higher charges...even if it came to that, Im pretty sure those who paid would beat those charges although it would be a major hassle I reaaallllyyyy would rather not have to deal with.

 

[Nathan Edwards]

I submitted all the relevant insurance forms to my rental car provider on the last day of my trip (as agreed with the farmer). I was told I should have been contacted this week but with work and the time zone difference, I may have missed a call or they may not have yet contacted me. I'll contact them on Monday and check how things are progressing. If any of you have the farmer's email address, can you PM me it as I only have his home address, and communication from England via mail is a little slow. I can hopefully then let him know things are in order once I've spoken with the insurance people!

Cheers,

Nathan

 

[Joshua Nall]

I wouldnt pay crap! It isnt your guys' fault the farmer planted on the road where he wasn't supposed to! If you took this case to a court, the judge would likely just laugh at it and dismiss it.

I don't understand the confusion over the roads. My grandparents driveway shows up on digital maps. Just because a road is on a map does not mean it's public. I have run into this NUMEROUS times and I guess I just figured others had as well. Whatever the map is in my hand held gps and then my megellan in the truck and even my software on the computer.... if it is a slightly raised road with gravel on it, then it is on there.

 

[Bill Hark]

I was chasing that storm but was not in the group that got stuck. One can argue about legalities but it sounds like there was an agreement made that had the approval of the farmer and local law enforcement. Call it a "gentleman's agreement" if you want. Going after the few that don't abide in a timely manner may not be done due to cost and hassle but if the agreement is not fulfilled, God help any chaser that goes through that area in the future especially if they should need help or have a minor infraction. I would assume that the local residents and law enforcement will take the side of the farmer and will not be friendly toward chasers.

Bill Hark

 

[Andrew Stoller]

Did the police and farmer get contact info for all the parties that agreed to pay? If not, that sucks for you guys that did give contact info and paid up.