Letters to the Editor 06-15-2000
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Meijer Proposal - Victimized - Missing Dad
Meijer Proposal
Editor, Times-Union:On June 19, 2000, at 7 p.m. in the old courthouse, Meijer will present its latest proposal in its petition to rezone a 42-acre parcel of property on Patterson Road to C-5. There is much speculation of what will be proposed, but intuition tells one that if Meijer is serious about competing directly with Wal-Mart in Warsaw (and this appears to be one of Meijer's latest marketing strategies), they will not propose a scaled-down version of their store complex. Speculation is, Meijer will propose a modified layout of its original proposal with simply more "buffer," i.e. more trees. This would still be an unacceptable plan!
In the past two months, I have had the opportunity to speak with dozens of individuals within the community and, regardless of where these individuals live, everyone thinks this is not the proper site for this type of business. Traffic WILL be an issue, on both sides of U.S. 30.
Only recently have residents in the Gable subdivision become aware of the proposed re-routing of Parker Street into Brookview Drive then into Provident Drive. In talking with some of these residents, they too, share a real concern about traffic and the impact on their streets. Also, has anyone consulted with the medical community about this proposed re-routing? This will have an impact on ambulances and other emergency vehicles entering and exiting the hospital complex. On paper, this may look OK, but take a ride and see what you think AFTER your ride.
At the April city council meeting, Councilman Rhoades indicated traffic, specifically bus traffic, will not be a problem with the Harrison Elementary School since only six buses go in and out of the school during a normal school day. Having had children attend Harrison, I take exception to this analysis - there are many parents who take their child(ren) to Harrison School. There is considerable traffic in the area of the school in the course of a normal school day. It only takes one serious accident to make this proposal look as bad as it actually is.
To the gentleman from Leesburg who goes out and buys gallons of orange juice from Meijer - I say, this is NOT a Meijer issue! It is a zoning issue! It's not about competition, tax revenue, city growth, etc. It is about whether a large commercial complex is the best use of this 42-acre property considering the surrounding area.
Another thing I have learned in my recent discussions is, if Wal-Mart meets any resistance within the communities it enters either from residents, organizations, etc., it will seek out alternative sites so not to create ill will. When Wal-Mart was looking at possible sites for a Super Wal-Mart in Warsaw, it optioned four properties and explored the advantages/disadvantages of each before making a decision. Wouldn't this have been a more positive and prudent thing for Meijer to do?
I strongly recommend attendance at this council meeting by those directly/indirectly affected by this rezoning petition, including those residents of the Gable subdivision and the surrounding medical community. This is a critical meeting since the council did not follow the unanimous recommendation of the Plan Commission to deny this request at the April council meeting.
Steve Holbrook
Warsaw
Victimized
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to thank all the people that helped me in my time of need. Some people can't imagine spending 10 months in a 6x9 cell, robbed of your freedom for a crime they didn't commit. Things looked bad and I was concerned about what would finally happen to me. I was at the end of my ropes until I met John Boren. He brought light into a dark, dismal place full of demons. He introduced me to God and showed me I wasn't alone anymore, and that there was hope for me. I gave my life to God and things really looked up for me and things started to change. Everything didn't look as bad and I knew God would see me through all this. He never puts more on you than you can handle.
David Kolbe and Scott Lennox really went out of their way for me. I thought they would give up on my 300-some page file. But it made them work even harder for me. My case should have never gone to trial, because the court pushed it until I went to trial. Which ultimately was dismissed on the second day.
It's hard to explain how bad jail was, all my rights taken away, bills piling up and getting way behind on my child support. Faced to live in a world of anarchy and just the insanity of it all! This all happened right here in Kosciusko County and if it wasn't for the people who come in and volunteer for church - John Boren, David Kolbe, Scott Lennox and especially for Sandra Frush, who always reminds us we're special and God loves us - I can't imagine what could have happened.
God is great, awesome and powerful and I know I can get through this. I owe Him all the praise and glory. He will see me through. I just wanted to take the time to give praise to God and to the people who helped me.
But I do want to share my story. Never once was I given an apology for what the court tried to do to me. I feel I was victimized by the county, at the taxpayers' expense.
Joseph Prodonovich
Syracuse
Missing Dad
Editor, Times-Union:Well, here it is already Father's Day 2000, the most important day to spend with your father and let him know how much you love and appreciate him. Oh, if I could only give my dad a big ole' squeezy hug and a kiss on his warm cheek. If I could only say "I love you" in person once again. I say it all the time in my heart, but I sure do miss that man tremendously every single day of my life. He was my best pal who loved me no matter what; my listener; my ornery joke telling partner; my wonderful, loving dad - Junior G. Goon - such a simple man with a big heart and a smile and personality that made my heart burst with pride to be his number two daughter. Happy Father's Day, Dad, I love you ... always have ... always will.
Sally A. Goon
Leesburg
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- Meijer Proposal - Victimized - Missing Dad
Meijer Proposal
Editor, Times-Union:On June 19, 2000, at 7 p.m. in the old courthouse, Meijer will present its latest proposal in its petition to rezone a 42-acre parcel of property on Patterson Road to C-5. There is much speculation of what will be proposed, but intuition tells one that if Meijer is serious about competing directly with Wal-Mart in Warsaw (and this appears to be one of Meijer's latest marketing strategies), they will not propose a scaled-down version of their store complex. Speculation is, Meijer will propose a modified layout of its original proposal with simply more "buffer," i.e. more trees. This would still be an unacceptable plan!
In the past two months, I have had the opportunity to speak with dozens of individuals within the community and, regardless of where these individuals live, everyone thinks this is not the proper site for this type of business. Traffic WILL be an issue, on both sides of U.S. 30.
Only recently have residents in the Gable subdivision become aware of the proposed re-routing of Parker Street into Brookview Drive then into Provident Drive. In talking with some of these residents, they too, share a real concern about traffic and the impact on their streets. Also, has anyone consulted with the medical community about this proposed re-routing? This will have an impact on ambulances and other emergency vehicles entering and exiting the hospital complex. On paper, this may look OK, but take a ride and see what you think AFTER your ride.
At the April city council meeting, Councilman Rhoades indicated traffic, specifically bus traffic, will not be a problem with the Harrison Elementary School since only six buses go in and out of the school during a normal school day. Having had children attend Harrison, I take exception to this analysis - there are many parents who take their child(ren) to Harrison School. There is considerable traffic in the area of the school in the course of a normal school day. It only takes one serious accident to make this proposal look as bad as it actually is.
To the gentleman from Leesburg who goes out and buys gallons of orange juice from Meijer - I say, this is NOT a Meijer issue! It is a zoning issue! It's not about competition, tax revenue, city growth, etc. It is about whether a large commercial complex is the best use of this 42-acre property considering the surrounding area.
Another thing I have learned in my recent discussions is, if Wal-Mart meets any resistance within the communities it enters either from residents, organizations, etc., it will seek out alternative sites so not to create ill will. When Wal-Mart was looking at possible sites for a Super Wal-Mart in Warsaw, it optioned four properties and explored the advantages/disadvantages of each before making a decision. Wouldn't this have been a more positive and prudent thing for Meijer to do?
I strongly recommend attendance at this council meeting by those directly/indirectly affected by this rezoning petition, including those residents of the Gable subdivision and the surrounding medical community. This is a critical meeting since the council did not follow the unanimous recommendation of the Plan Commission to deny this request at the April council meeting.
Steve Holbrook
Warsaw
Victimized
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to thank all the people that helped me in my time of need. Some people can't imagine spending 10 months in a 6x9 cell, robbed of your freedom for a crime they didn't commit. Things looked bad and I was concerned about what would finally happen to me. I was at the end of my ropes until I met John Boren. He brought light into a dark, dismal place full of demons. He introduced me to God and showed me I wasn't alone anymore, and that there was hope for me. I gave my life to God and things really looked up for me and things started to change. Everything didn't look as bad and I knew God would see me through all this. He never puts more on you than you can handle.
David Kolbe and Scott Lennox really went out of their way for me. I thought they would give up on my 300-some page file. But it made them work even harder for me. My case should have never gone to trial, because the court pushed it until I went to trial. Which ultimately was dismissed on the second day.
It's hard to explain how bad jail was, all my rights taken away, bills piling up and getting way behind on my child support. Faced to live in a world of anarchy and just the insanity of it all! This all happened right here in Kosciusko County and if it wasn't for the people who come in and volunteer for church - John Boren, David Kolbe, Scott Lennox and especially for Sandra Frush, who always reminds us we're special and God loves us - I can't imagine what could have happened.
God is great, awesome and powerful and I know I can get through this. I owe Him all the praise and glory. He will see me through. I just wanted to take the time to give praise to God and to the people who helped me.
But I do want to share my story. Never once was I given an apology for what the court tried to do to me. I feel I was victimized by the county, at the taxpayers' expense.
Joseph Prodonovich
Syracuse
Missing Dad
Editor, Times-Union:Well, here it is already Father's Day 2000, the most important day to spend with your father and let him know how much you love and appreciate him. Oh, if I could only give my dad a big ole' squeezy hug and a kiss on his warm cheek. If I could only say "I love you" in person once again. I say it all the time in my heart, but I sure do miss that man tremendously every single day of my life. He was my best pal who loved me no matter what; my listener; my ornery joke telling partner; my wonderful, loving dad - Junior G. Goon - such a simple man with a big heart and a smile and personality that made my heart burst with pride to be his number two daughter. Happy Father's Day, Dad, I love you ... always have ... always will.
Sally A. Goon
Leesburg
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