Plan Commission - Live Blogging 2
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 6/12/08 @ 1:30 pm - Filed Under Featured, Local Politics
1:29pm - The line of speakers is 17 deep at this point. I would expect even more to voice their opinion.
1:36pm - After one speaker Al Frisinger makes a comment that people should shorten their comments or the meeting will last forever. Several citizens loudly proclaim - “So what!”.
1:40pm - Next speaker presents 300 petitions against the project. He says that Cedar Creek is a treasure to the county and that this project is a total violation of the Allen master plan.
1:45pm - A speaker makes the exact point I made with the previous post. Namely that many on the plan commission are friendly with the developers and it gives the appearance that they pass laws favoring them (IMO they do). He also points out the developers are so sure the development will be approved they already have bus routes set up for the local schools. Somebody near the back says “That’s Bullshit!” - obviously a little irate about what he sees as a rubber stamp commission.
1:48pm - Save Maumee spokesman asks the commission to uphold the Plan-It Allen plan. Says he rarely comes across somebody that is against the plan and its environmental stewardship.
1:50pm - A general comment from me. The city council was wise to limit speakers on Harrison Square to 2 minutes each. This commission should’ve done something similar - maybe 2 minutes isn’t enough but some limit would be in order.
1:52pm - Just when I say that Frisinger interrupts the speaker and says there’s a 5 minute limit per speaker. It looks like they just aren’t enforcing it.
1:56pm - Bodenhafer’s neighbor speaks and asks him and Thomas associates to reconsider their plan. Instead of houses why not observing platforms? Instead of roads why not hiking trails. Instead of cable tv, why not leave a legacy of a community that wants to cherish and preserve the environment?
1:59pm - A speaker presents the Allen County conflict of interest code. He asks the development to be delayed and investigate whether or not Bodenhafer and Thomas Associates were in violation of conflict of interest laws. He asks whether or not the commission would be granting the same treatment to a developer from outside the community as they have for those here. My answer, and I’m sure everyone else in the room feels the same way.
2:02pm - Ken Neumeister blows up and says the speaker and everyone else should be ashamed of themselves for insinuating that Bodenhafer has some sort of conflict of interest for just trying to sell his land. The crowd erupts into a chorus of boos - I’ll admit I joined in. Neumeister is embarrassing himself.
2:08pm - The speaker responds by asking if Bodenhafer removed himself during any previous discussions. Frisinger claims “he probably did” but I don’t think that’s accurate. The speaker rightfully asks if Bodenhafer has removed himself from meetings that led up to this and says that’s a fair question considering he’s the president of the commission. Frisinger claims again that he doesn’t think Bodenhafer took part in any meetings. Paul Moss says this is the first meeting they’ve ever discussed the issue. Is that true? Moss says Bodenhafer nor anyone else has says one word to him about the project.
2:16 - Another quick commentary on Neumeister’s outburst. It’s comical that he’s shocked, shocked I tell you, that somebody could see this situation as a conflict of interest. Bill Brown has already pointed out that he feels this project violates the spirit of the minor plat ordinance. So couple that with the fact that Bodenhafer was likely involved in the drafting of that ordinance and he’s the fricking president of the plan commission and you see why people are troubled. It appears this project is getting fast-tracked and in violation of current policy. For Neumeister to claim that people should be ashamed for asking the question is outlandish and frankly shows the contempt he has for potential conflict of interest concerns.
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