Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Editor, Times-Union:
I have lived in Warsaw since 1978. Like hundreds of others, I moved my family into the city in 1998 after the fair board and the Winona Lake area property owners documented a formal agreement to prohibit motorized racing except under certain delineated conditions.
This agreement has largely been honored for about the last 11⁄2 generations (28 years). Prior to that agreement, I would not have considered moving anywhere near the fairgrounds due to the disruption caused by the racing activities at the fairgrounds. I admit that I am relieved to see that the court has recognized the importance of the 1990 agreement between Winona Lake homeowners and the fairgrounds and has at least granted the homeowners’ request for a temporary injunction.
The impact of the final outcome of the current court case will impact the property value of literally hundreds of area property owners. The current agreement has been an important arrangement that helps preserve the peace and serenity for not only homeowners who live around Winona Lake, but additionally all of those in neighborhoods which surround that property. It is unfortunate, but a fact, that noise travels for great distances near a lake since there is no noise buffering offered by a lake. Therefore, everyone in the community is impacted by the excessive noise created by motorized races since it is amplified by the lake. If the temporary order is not made permanent, I would expect all home owners in the area may have a solid reason to appeal their current assessed valuation of their property and seek a lower tax on their property. Who will have to have make up the difference? All the other tax payers in the city and county.
The home owners I know have no desire to drive the fairgrounds out of existence. However, the motorized races are so loud that having a normal conversation outside is nearly impossible. It is a fact the fairgrounds is located within the city limits of Warsaw as listed on the website as Zoned R-1, single family residences.
https://warsaw.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/996/Zoning-Map-PDF
I hope the current Board of Directors of the Fairgrounds will act in an honorable manner and live by the agreement. That agreement was formally reduced to writing in the form of “Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release” document that was officially recorded by the Fulton County Court some 28 years ago.
This area is a haven of peaceful, God-fearing, honorable individuals who strive to “do the right thing” and live by giving and keeping the commitments they have made because doing so has value in the eyes of God and community. One of the very few things you do take to your grave is your reputation. We do not need a controversy in our community that causes fear, intimidation and discontent.
Ron Donkers
Warsaw, via email
