Juwi cannot control every Tipton official
Kokomo Tribune | September 4, 2013 | kokomotribune.com
The remarks made by the attorneys for juwi and the leaseholders at the Aug. 28 Tipton BZA meeting are very disturbing. Juwi’s attorney questioned the integrity of BZA President Jerry Acres, and repeatedly taunted the board with not being able to understand the agenda for the meeting and for never having an opportunity to present their side of the property value issue.
I thought eight hours of testimony at the March 21 BZA meeting ended with a majority vote in favor of 1,500-foot setbacks and the need for a property value guarantee (PVG). At that meeting both sides presented their positions, which included documentation by their certified professionals. Wasn’t juwi listening?
The July 31 BZA meeting reviewed juwi’s attempts to modify these requirements, and denied juwi’s request to cancel the PVG requirement. It was stated at the meeting that on Aug. 28 the BZA would hold a public hearing to receive input on a PVG from both sides of the issue. And it was further stated the BZA would then present all input to the attorneys from juwi and the county to draw up a final PVG to be voted on at a later date.
Since January 2009, juwi has taken control of 35 square miles of Tipton County and dictated what it wants and expects from Tipton County. At Wednesday’s meeting, it was once again dictating what it wants.
Juwi spent four years behind doors obtaining lease agreements with landowners. This included making agreements with Planning Commission members, with County Council members, and with members of the county commissioners, and with the majority of BZA members. In January 2013, the citizens of Tipton County first became aware of these agreements after juwi’s project was announced in the local newspapers. And since then, reported conflicts of interest have caused many board members to step aside.
However, the BZA is now made up of two original and three substitute members. Let’s pray the current BZA is going to follow the procedure of the laws entrusted to them. It appears they may not be corruptible. And let us pray that juwi cannot get Jerry Acres removed from the position he has earned with his dedication and honesty.
Juwi has finally come upon a few men in Tipton County it does not fully control. Perhaps all the other county officials should take notice or they will be eliminated when their next election comes up.
Russell Turk
Sharpsville
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/04/juwi-cannot-control-every-tipton-official/