Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Did anyone read the ''Metro'' section of the Columbus Dispatch today? Homewood, the company that council wants to trust with the development of the Ponds again showed it's true level of concern for the enviornment, citizens, and the authority of the courts.

For some time, that company has been fighting with residents of the Darby area regarding the development of a piece of land they purchased near a sensitive watershed....sound familiar? They wanted to use dirt to ''fill'' an area in the Darby flood plain, likely damaging the fragile ecosystem in the area, and potentially relocating the common flooding in that area from the natural plain into nearby neighborhoods.

The residents concerns lead to an injunction from local courts prohibiting Homewood from any further filling in the disputed area effective 11-15-02. But, that didn't stop Homewood!!

Beginning on Thanskgiving, the company quietly (but not quietly enough) began the filling operations again...according to residents, there were 25 dump truck loads in 15 minutes...sounds to me like someone trying to ''sneak one by'' residents. They failed, and the residents took their case to the streets via protests.

How many similar incidents will it take to damage the Ponds? What do these actions say about the company we intend to ''trust'' with this sensitive wetland area? Will our council consider this issue as they evaluate the emergency approval of the platting of this development?

I already sent an e-mail to council, and I'll be sending a letter to the editor of the suburban and Columbus papers...might this not help others oppossed to allowing this corporation destroy this resource?

Gary Johnson

P.E.E.R.

I've talked to Paul Dumouchelle who is quoted in The Dispatch tonight. He is also the President of P.E.E.R. which is Profress with Economical & Enviromental Responsibility www.peerohio.org to discuss if an alliance with his group would make our fight with Homewood more newsworthy. The Darby Creek Association is 501(c)3, P.E.E.R. is 501(c)4 which is a political PAC that would welcome a Pickerington arm - we need to figure out if that meshes with what we need to accomplish.

I've also talked with him about fund raising for a legal campaign & the best way to go about it. They seem very interested & aligned with we are trying to accomplish in our area.

Will keep you posted as to what we find out in the next few days.

Profress is Progress

Sorry for the typo - the groups name is

Progress with
Ecomonic and
Enviromental
Responsibility