HELMSBURG — Helmsburg residents decided in November to form a formal association, Helmsburg Community Development. At their next meeting Dec. 6, they got a partial list on the wall of what they do and don’t want to see in their community.
The “don’t” list included trailers, trailer parks, Section 8 housing and strip clubs. However, there was debate about all of those except for strip clubs, with some residents saying that newer trailers might be OK, and that not all Section 8 housing or Section 8 residents should be judged the same. Residents who spoke against Section 8 said they wanted to see people with roots in Helmsburg rather than those who move often.
The “do” list included retirement housing; small houses, but not necessarily tiny houses or those on wheels, as the group hadn’t discussed all the options yet; a restaurant/deli; a gas station; “small services,” such as a beauty parlor; and a park.
Residents agreed that they are open to people of all ages moving in to their community, including people who are not “natives.”
But where the group will go from here is uncertain, as emotions ran high during discussions about the next steps, and one of the leaders asked to be replaced.
“Honestly, I’m looking for someone to take my place. I’m just mentally exhausted with it,” said Cindy Steele, in the midst of a debate about what issue the group should be focusing on right now: Hiring a lawyer to help them take the legal steps toward forming an association, deciding who’s going to be on the board of the organization, hashing everything out in a large group, or taking preventative measures against some undesirable development that may already be under way.
“I want people in the next meeting to step up and say you’re going to do the work,” Steele said.
Before the Dec. 6 meeting was over, two people already had — Adrian O’Shea and Mandy Chittum — and more are needed.
Before the January meeting, Brown County Redevelopment Commission member Jim Kemp promised to consult with an attorney to learn all the criteria the community needs to take into consideration before drafting a formal document for the organization. Next month, residents likely will be asked to hash through several questions, and also to pick a lawyer, Kemp said.
Kemp asked that anyone willing to serve in any leadership capacity in this organization be present for the January meeting — for which no date has been set yet — so that the group can get the process of forming an organization under way. It could take several months before it is established, he said. The county has agreed to pick up attorney fees for that process.
