HUGHES IS STUMBLING OVER HIS LAND USE CONTRADICTIONS

Our Honorable Commissioner Mr. Jeff Hughes has “written” his cri de coeur to explain his tabling the Future Land Use Map. His well written piece begs the question what and/or who is driving Mr. Hughes.

Unfortunately for Mr. Hughes, the commercial “interests” of the county have suffered a few setbacks. Vieste is gone, then council refused to fund the expansion of the St. Leon Sewer plant, the commissioners have refused to recommend funding for the DCEDI, and James “Shovel Ready” West has resigned as chief of the DCEDI. The coveted 4,000 acres of the Northwestern Quadrant are still virginal, no company has decided to use the TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) Districts, and Honda in Greensburg is now offering shop floor jobs with starting salaries of 31,000 dollars a year (preferably for non union members) versus the conventional 60,000 dollars a year.Houses on Barber Road are able to be built using septic systems, which according to the local government, is not satisfactory as some consider it a health hazard. Additionally, a well- educated Republican was voted in as a county commissioner over the strenuous objections of--- the Republican party!

Perhaps we can understand Mr. Hughes et al’s anguish.

The Map is not Received Wisdom, nor is it carved into granite. It can be changed.
It is the work product of citizens of Dearborn County, not government.

Unfortunately Mr. Hughes raises the class envy/warfare battle cry which began with Franklin Roosevelt and since then has been eagerly grasped by liberals, socialists, nazis and communists. Mr. Hughes targeted civic-minded citizens with his unfortunate remark about those who “have the time and money” to attend meetings.

To appeal to some he put his interest in another group of people - not those about whom he snidely commented. However, I quote our Mr. Hughes in his same newspaper article ”I have sworn to protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens of Dearborn.” All, Mr. Hughes, or only those who agree with your agenda and that of Mr. Fox, the DCEDI, and the Chamber of Commerce?

The question of freedom to use one’s land as one wishes, according to Mr. Hughes, should be examined. The statistics cited in the Plan Commission’s survey are related to questions that may be leading questions. How did Mr. Hughes pick his 110 property owners whom he interviewed? Did he have a polling company produce a randomized list of whom to call and what questions to ask? It would be expensive to do, but not nearly as expensive as the wasted expenditures which he helped to lavish on the 300 dollar an hour plus expenses of the Vieste group’s personnel. Would it be of utmost importance? Certainly.

Who, not by name, were Mr. Hughes interviewees? Were the interviews done solely by Mr. Hughes? Did those interviewed own a house on a half acre, did they own 200 acre? Were they on septic systems or a vacuum sewer system? Were any of them close acquaintances of Mr. Hughes? Were any of the interviewees known beforehand to have an interest that would coincide with the agenda of Mr. Hughes, Mr. Fox, the DCEDI and the Chamber of Commerce?

It is fine and appealing and somewhat demagogic to proclaim that freedom to use one’s land as one chooses is great, all about America, etc. Would Mr. Hughes not complain if someone built on the property next to where he raises his family an “Adult” Bookstore that deals in pornography 24 hours a day 7 days a week? Would he object to my putting up a poultry processing plant next to his home? How about building, next door to his home a bar, featuring loud music, a bar that is open until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning every night?

Mr. Hughes persists in claiming that private land use must not be transferred to government. Well how does Mr. Hughes explain his attachment to the Vieste debacle? How does he explain his attachment to the darlings of the local self anointed Republican party, the DCEDI, and the Lawrenceburg Chamber of Commerce? How does he explain the attempt of the government - that he claims should not be involved in private land use- to be involved in the stealthy plan via the county commissioners’ hirees Vieste et al to industrialize the Elysian fields of the newly named Northwest Quadrant of Dearborn County?

Mr. Hughes is stumbling over his contradictions. Had he been one of my medical house officers he’d be long gone. Yes, long gone, or never appointed in the first place.

Perhaps the voters of Dearborn County will feel the same way in 2008.

Alan S. Freemond, Sr.
Jackson Township