July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Enough is enough on ethanol plant (07/13/06)
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
When is enough, enough? How much are the residents and taxpayers of Jay County willing to stand for?
To begin with, there is probably not a resident in this county who is against growth. But the question becomes, growth to who? Political growth? Individual financial growth.
Ethanol ... the city council has voted to allow this plant into our city. Is it the right of the city council to make this decision on their own? What homework did the council do concerning this issue? How long did the county study? How many ethanol plants did the council members tour? Did the council members confer with other cities that have ethanol plants or cities that have rejected ethanol plants? What criteria were the decision based on? Do any council members live near the proposed plant?
Of course not, they live in the city. How could a decision as large as this be decided over a short period of time? Do city officials profit from this decision?
I understand that the two-mile jurisdiction just outside of the city limits has been given to the city for control. If these residents are considered “county,” why wasn’t the county council involved? Will these county taxpayers be allowed to vote in the city elections in the fall, since these people are controlling their livelihoods? They should have the right to elect these officials.
Why didn’t both councils make the decision, as in Wells County? Wells County rejected a plant. What did Wells County know that Jay County doesn’t? (Editor’s note: Wells County did not reject the proposed plant; the county said it did not wish to commit large amounts of tax money to upgrade roads for the project). Who will pay for the upkeep of the roads? The taxpayers? Who will be concerned about water issues? The taxpayers? Who will have reduced property values? The taxpayers? Did the taxpayers have any input in this issue?
The same concerns are becoming apparent with the proposed hotel on the north side of Portland. Who is making the decisions? Are the decisions being “hurried” into council? Again, what information was provided to the council to make this decision? Who profits? Who spends? The taxpayers?
We have seen many times the city of Portland bend over backwards for an “out of towner,” to help them with their business. For example, financial and/or to change the zoning. But what about the life-long residents of Portland? The long-time businesses of Portland? Are the same gestures given to them? Holiday Inn Express wants a tax abatement, but Bearcreek Farms was denied.
According to The Commercial Review, Community Home Improvement wants EDIT funds but Ludwig’s was denied.
When was the last time that your elected council member, city or county, called you, the registered voter, for your input on an issue? Who or what influences the vote? At the point of voting, the constituents concern seems to be of NO concern to the council members.
It is a fact that if the issue is not in our personal backyard, it is of no concern. Wake up Portland residents. These issues concern all of us. Election Day is approaching, but it will take more than 38 percent of you casting a vote (as in the last election) to make a difference. It will take all of us to make changes. If we want to continue to live and grow in Portland, we need to voice our opinions, and see that they are acted upon. Do you have questions? Call your elected representative. Mail them a letter. Can they give you answers? Get to know them. Remember, they were elected by the people, not selected by one individual.
Does the president of the council conduct the meetings? If he doesn’t, why not? Why are the same individuals serving on the different boards? Are we receiving fair representation or just the opinions of a few? How much money has been spent on the city building? Is this necessary? Could it be spent wiser by other city departments?
When is enough, enough?
Debi Gillespie, Rob Frazee, Betty Stone, Robert Manor, Gary P. Gibson, Mike Hickerson, Victor LeMaster, Gary Loy, Sherry Feathers and Steve Feathers
4th thanks
To the editor:
The members of the Jay County Fourth of July Committee would like to thank everyone in attendance at this year’s celebration at the Jay County Fairgrounds.
The bad weather held off nearly all day, and the cooler temperatures helped make the festivities more enjoyable.
Thank you to everyone who joined us later that evening for the live performance by “Wanted,” and stayed through the brief rain for the fireworks display.
We apologize for the loss of power that we experienced to our sound system which prevented us from hearing the patriotic music prepared by WPGW radio. We will take measures to correct this problem in the future. We’re looking forward to next year’s celebration and hope you can join us again.
Brooke Aker, for
the Jay County
Fourth of July
Committee[[In-content Ad]]
When is enough, enough? How much are the residents and taxpayers of Jay County willing to stand for?
To begin with, there is probably not a resident in this county who is against growth. But the question becomes, growth to who? Political growth? Individual financial growth.
Ethanol ... the city council has voted to allow this plant into our city. Is it the right of the city council to make this decision on their own? What homework did the council do concerning this issue? How long did the county study? How many ethanol plants did the council members tour? Did the council members confer with other cities that have ethanol plants or cities that have rejected ethanol plants? What criteria were the decision based on? Do any council members live near the proposed plant?
Of course not, they live in the city. How could a decision as large as this be decided over a short period of time? Do city officials profit from this decision?
I understand that the two-mile jurisdiction just outside of the city limits has been given to the city for control. If these residents are considered “county,” why wasn’t the county council involved? Will these county taxpayers be allowed to vote in the city elections in the fall, since these people are controlling their livelihoods? They should have the right to elect these officials.
Why didn’t both councils make the decision, as in Wells County? Wells County rejected a plant. What did Wells County know that Jay County doesn’t? (Editor’s note: Wells County did not reject the proposed plant; the county said it did not wish to commit large amounts of tax money to upgrade roads for the project). Who will pay for the upkeep of the roads? The taxpayers? Who will be concerned about water issues? The taxpayers? Who will have reduced property values? The taxpayers? Did the taxpayers have any input in this issue?
The same concerns are becoming apparent with the proposed hotel on the north side of Portland. Who is making the decisions? Are the decisions being “hurried” into council? Again, what information was provided to the council to make this decision? Who profits? Who spends? The taxpayers?
We have seen many times the city of Portland bend over backwards for an “out of towner,” to help them with their business. For example, financial and/or to change the zoning. But what about the life-long residents of Portland? The long-time businesses of Portland? Are the same gestures given to them? Holiday Inn Express wants a tax abatement, but Bearcreek Farms was denied.
According to The Commercial Review, Community Home Improvement wants EDIT funds but Ludwig’s was denied.
When was the last time that your elected council member, city or county, called you, the registered voter, for your input on an issue? Who or what influences the vote? At the point of voting, the constituents concern seems to be of NO concern to the council members.
It is a fact that if the issue is not in our personal backyard, it is of no concern. Wake up Portland residents. These issues concern all of us. Election Day is approaching, but it will take more than 38 percent of you casting a vote (as in the last election) to make a difference. It will take all of us to make changes. If we want to continue to live and grow in Portland, we need to voice our opinions, and see that they are acted upon. Do you have questions? Call your elected representative. Mail them a letter. Can they give you answers? Get to know them. Remember, they were elected by the people, not selected by one individual.
Does the president of the council conduct the meetings? If he doesn’t, why not? Why are the same individuals serving on the different boards? Are we receiving fair representation or just the opinions of a few? How much money has been spent on the city building? Is this necessary? Could it be spent wiser by other city departments?
When is enough, enough?
Debi Gillespie, Rob Frazee, Betty Stone, Robert Manor, Gary P. Gibson, Mike Hickerson, Victor LeMaster, Gary Loy, Sherry Feathers and Steve Feathers
4th thanks
To the editor:
The members of the Jay County Fourth of July Committee would like to thank everyone in attendance at this year’s celebration at the Jay County Fairgrounds.
The bad weather held off nearly all day, and the cooler temperatures helped make the festivities more enjoyable.
Thank you to everyone who joined us later that evening for the live performance by “Wanted,” and stayed through the brief rain for the fireworks display.
We apologize for the loss of power that we experienced to our sound system which prevented us from hearing the patriotic music prepared by WPGW radio. We will take measures to correct this problem in the future. We’re looking forward to next year’s celebration and hope you can join us again.
Brooke Aker, for
the Jay County
Fourth of July
Committee[[In-content Ad]]
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