City Without A Plan

-

I received a call yesterday from someone claiming that they represent Kirkland Enterprises. I vaguely remembered a Kirkland Enterprise when I was on the planning and zoning committee, but this guy's voice didn't sound familiar and he would not give a direct answer when I asked him to repeat his name. He asked a few questions and they were all about the planning and zoning committee. Years ago, there was a Kirkland that owned some property on Lower Airport Road and he wanted to establish a trailer park (manufactured home) on his property. At the time his request was made, the City of Lumberton was preparing to establish a comprehensive plan and there was a moratorium placed on bringing trailers into the city limits of Lumberton. After a lot of time and money ($35,000) the City of Lumberton adopted a comprehensive plan and Lower Airport Road was designated as Agricultural-Residential. But now there's a problem. Since Ben Winston didn't want to pay a fine for the storage of the trailers on his property; his co-horts, (Gibson, Johnson and Crider) disbanded the planning and zoning committee which has left the city without a legal recourse to enforce the comprehensive plan. The city still has a comprehensive plan, but it's no longer enforced. You may have noticed the various buildings and trailers that have been showing up in the city limits.
The man I spoke with wanted to know if he could establish a trailer park on a lot of property on Lower Airport Road. I told him that he can go to city hall and get a copy of the minutes where the planning and zoning committee was disbanded. I told him that I heard that a Katrina Cottage Village was being established on Camp Avenue and Bobby Gibson "allegedly" told the owner to go ahead with his plans. I also told the individual that although there is no planning and zoning committee in place, he is still obligated to adhere to the State of Mississippi's Board of Health guidelines regarding water, sewage and garbage disposal. I told him that the State of Mississippi requires all cities to have a planning and zoning committee (17-11-1) and Ordinance 187 (local law) also requires the City of Lumberton to have a planning and zoning committee, but our board has decided not to adhere to those laws or ordinances.
The man didn't give me a time line for his plans, but he said that he would like to have at least five trailers available for occupancy before the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. If something's not done soon, it looks like there's gonna be some new residents living next door to the Carl Hancock Trust on Lower Airport Road.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FY Budget 2015: Pills and Potions

-
Image
I called this post the pills and potions edition because after looking at the budget that was presented; it's obvious this board is overdosing on something. I can't tell where any real cuts were made to the budget; it seems the same. The fact that the board paid Richard Rose $1, 600 to prepare this budget is a joke. Why do we have a city clerk if she cannot prepare a budget? What is she doing all day other than reading the Lumberton Informer or thinking of her next lie? The board claimed that Richard Rose was doing this out of the goodness of his heart, that he knew the City of Lumberton was not in a position to pay him. So, rather than charging the normal going rate for an embattled city manager that was allegedly terminated for not reporting to work and other matters; Rose decided he will charge the fiscally challenged City of Lumberton a mere $1,600 and a motorcycle. Now, keep in mind, the board never voted to hire Richard Rose but somehow, he received a check and a moto...
Read more

Kim Rogers: A Phenomenal Woman

-
Image
I've always said that I don't offer balance throughout this blog. It seems that most of the focus is placed on the bad things or more gossipy topics, but I think today is a good day to give credit where credit is due. I know she don't do what she do for attention or accolades but I would like to tip my hat to Mrs. Kim Rogers, founder of the KeKe B Foundation. Kim, like many other women of our community, is a testament to the power of hop, courage and resilience of a loving mother. I don't know how she does it but she has chosen to take a stand when others would have buckled under pressure. Her dedication and courage has touched so many people in so many ways. The work she's doing through the KeKe B Foundation will be a beacon for many generations to come and the she many never realize the impact her courage has made in the lives of others. But despite it all, she is still pressing forward. Kim does not want another parent to experience what she had to experience ...
Read more

Stealing Elections: Lumberton Style

-
Image
Last night when I went to the Ben Barrett Voting Center to watch the counting of the vote, I entered the building about 10 minutes before the polls closed and the picture above is what I saw. Throughout the day, many people expressed their concerns that the poll workers didn't match the demographics of the City of Lumberton. I shrugged it off after someone texted me, assuring me that the election was going to be fair. Well, that was not the case. Later in the day, a voter came to me with evidence that the votes had been compromised. They gave me two torn affidavit ballots that were torn up and thrown in the trash in the women's restroom at the voting center. Interesting. There was another person that came to me about the conversation they overheard between Cora Rogers and her mother, Voncile Richardson. It seems that Ms. Voncile wanted to cast a vote for me but her daughter, Cora Rogers, instructed her to mark the ballot for Kent Crider. Interesting. Last ...
Read more