Special Interest Actions

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Each of these actions has resulted in special approvals that are not usually granted to the public at large. Most of them are deleterious to the public interest.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f00000ff00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Variance Approval:</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> In early 1998, a lady (no names used here of people not elected or appointed to town positions) who was to become </B></FONT><B>Toni Casey's election campaign treasurer</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> requested Council approval on a house construction plan that utilized all of the available development area, but had no outside living space (pool, patio, etc.). When queried on this oddity by then-Mayor Bob Johnson, the lady stated that their life style was different from most people's life style and that they would actually prefer this arrangement. They preferred it even though they could not build a pool or patio in the future. Since this odd plan was perfectly legal,  the Council correctly voted to approved it.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>One year later she was back requesting a variance for about 2500 additional sq. ft. so they could build outdoor facilities.  </B><B><U>This variance was granted!</U></B><B> This was a glaring special favor to a Casey supporter.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f00000ff00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Subdivision Approval:</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> In 2002, Bill Kerns, now a Planning Commission member and City Council candidate, obtained a controversial permit to build a large ridgetop home on Francemont, even though there was a second buildable site on his lot. (The town has a policy of protecting ridge tops from development.) As a condition of approval, it was stipulated that the large (22 acres), but very steep lot could not be further subdivided. Kerns agreed.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Currently, pleading financial necessity, Kerns has applied for subdivision with a second lot magnificently gerrymandered. To date the Planning Commission (including Council candidate Vitu) has approved the subdivision. </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Council has not yet heard the request, apparently preferring to wait until after the November 5th election to deflect criticism.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f00000ff00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Pathway Easement Abandonment: </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>In early 2002, a Casey supporter (again, no private citizen names) requested, and subsequently received, an abandonment by the town of a pathway easement on her property. This was done prior to completion of the pathways evaluation by the Pathways Committee and City Council. (This evaluation is still not complete.) Clearly this is a personal favor or political pay-back situation to a personal friend and political supporter.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>We need a City Council that is even-handed in administering the town affairs. Clearly the present Casey/Fenwick Council does not meet this need. Nor should we expect any better from Casey's hand-picked successors (Vitu and Kerns). Candidates </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Dean Warshawsky</B></FONT><B> and </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Breene Kerr</B></FONT><B> have pledged to end these special interest actions.</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=10 BGCOLOR="#66CCFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=10 BGCOLOR="#66CCFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>