KMRD Impacts Taxes

Once again, my position that Higher Density leads to Higher Taxes is confirmed. In today's Express-Times District has big concerns about major development, EASD Business Manager Jeffery Bader states that the KMRD 3000+ home proposal  would have an impact to EASD of nominally $45million (staff, administrative, and transportation costs) plus $10-40million(building expansions). More simply put TAXPAYERS of the EASD (you and me) are going to have to finance  $55-85million. This would be achieved through the issuance of Bonds and Higher Property Taxes. EASD Board Member Alfred Capecci stated that the KMRD proposal almost gave him a (metaphorical) heart attack; clearly this is not a healthy scenario.

School impacts are not the only adverse impacts. Police, Fire, EMS, and Township administrative staff would need significant size increases. Our roads (mostly high crowned rural roads with little or no shoulders and little room for expansion) would see significant trip volume increases and need maintenance at an increased schedule. The irreversible conversion of prime agricultural soils and parts of our rural historical heritage are also notable impacts. Forks Township Taxpayers would have to shoulder these burdens. At the same time, the developers would be enjoying a stroll to their local (they do not live here!) bank.

Forks Township zoning is fair and constitutional contrary to the KMRD litigation. KMRD's "By Right" plan is also fair and constitutional and should be resubmitted. Their current challenges should be withdrawn. The Forks Township Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) should not allow KMRD's ploy of an "indefinite continuance" which would mean that the ZHB would suspend hearings of these current challenges for the near term. This interruption would come during  Forks Township's presentation of witnesses refuting KMRD contentions. These witnesses are testifying to the validity  and constitutionality of Forks Township Zoning Laws on behalf of Forks Township citizens. They should be heard now and not suspended indefinitely. Of what interest is it to the Forks Township Community, which includes the EASD, to allow this litigation to rear its ugly head again in the future?

If these concerns are also your concerns, Please Attend the upcoming ZHB and BoS meetings on October 1, 7:30pm and October 4, 7:30pm respectively.

James Wideman

Forks Township vs. KMRD

Greetings,

KMRD is trying a "slam dunk" strategy. First they slam us (Forks Township) with as much extreme litigation as they can dream up, then they dunk us and say they want out and would we not  rather compromise. This is akin to a scoundrel of a thief coming into your home to steal your new plasma TV and when he realizes he is about to be caught tells you he will leave peaceably if he can just have your older TV. I say a trip behind the barn would be more appropriate. Do I have a witness?

Today's  Morning Call Forks, developer weary of litigation article leaves a few unanswered troubling questions. There have been no public discussions to date regarding the BoS and KMRD. No consensus. How is it that Karl Kline can speak for the BoS so liberally about matters that may have been discussed in a BoS executive session? What best interest is it for the Township to have hearings "continued indefinitely" or to seek "middle ground"? 

This KMRD vs. Forks Township litigation is the prevailing focus of this election. Many other questions that need answers hang in the balance. Let me know what your opinion is. I hope you want to put  these developers in their place as much as I do. They want to devastate our environment, our rural heritage, our schools, our roads, and our fragile tax base. Our Police, Fire, EMS, and Public Works Departments  would be heavily impacted by  proposals that are outside our current zoning.

Local government should be ruled by our Representatives who were elected to represent the best interests of the community, not self interests. Our Solicitor should take care not to assume the position of the Board. Developers should not have any right to state a Board position for the Supervisors.

On Monday October 1, 2007 7:30pm, we will hear how the Zoning Hearing Board will handle the "continued indefinitely" issue. At the BoS meeting October 4, 2007 7:30pm, I am sure this will be deliberated extensively. Please attend these meetings if you can. I can assure you, right now, that there is nothing better on TV. 

Best regards,

James Wideman

Candidate for Forks Township Supervisor 2007  (Please Vote!)

P.S. Forks Township needs your support.