To the editor:
One of the docket cases decided on in the Sept. 29, 2021 Brown County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting was an application for a special exception for a private recreational development on Bellsville Pike.
Brown County Council President David Redding was at that meeting and spoke as a county resident in favor of the special exception. Mr. Redding explained to the board of zoning appeals that he was also a reserve deputy and that his first experience with methamphetamine was at that property in the 2009 to 2010 time frame.
He briefly explained the situation had to do with three people in a truck on the property where the current owners are petitioning for the special exception, he states he assisted in the arrest and that again it was the first time he had seen methamphetamine. The incident Mr. Redding described would have occurred during the previous property owner’s time.
Mr. Redding went on to state that the reason he brought this to the board’s attention was to, in his words, “Share an indication, a fact, of what kind of activity was around in that area.” Mr. Redding also referred to the “structure,” which is subject to the special exception that the current owners are seeking, as having been previously abandoned and that this was a “blighted” property when in reality it was not. The audio recording of the testimony in its entirety is on the local government website and can be downloaded and listened to by anyone. Mr. Redding’s comments start at about the 1:10:58 mark in the meetings audio recording.
We have lived next to the property in question for 26 years and know nothing about any kind of drug activity occurring or illegal activity of any kind in connection with that property, the previous owners or surrounding properties. I have searched for police reports or newspaper articles in attempts to verify his claims and have found nothing.
Redding’s testimony surely left a false impression on the members of the board and folks in attendance at the meeting that the previous owners of the property were engaged in drug-related illegal activities and that overall they just didn’t take care of their property, making it a nuisance to the neighborhood. None of that is true.
Perhaps Mr. Redding would like an opportunity to clarify, justify or re-frame his remarks at the meeting that night?
I think a lot of long-term loyal tax paying residents of this county would also be interested in hearing comments made at the same meeting by Justin Schwenk, president of the Brown County Redevelopment Commission. Mr. Schwenk basically outlines that anyone who is opposed to a commercial business popping up in their residential neighborhood “selfishly prefer Brown County to be a quiet, pristine, retirement community.”
He also refers to the subject property as having been “dilapidated.” If you were ever opposed to a commercial business being proposed in your neighborhood you will be offended by Mr. Schwenk’s comments that start at 1:00:59 on the audio recording on that evening. Many of you will find Mr. Schwenk’s comments as arrogant and insulting as we did.
Michael L. Voland, Bellsville Pike
