This is why I write

I have been operating my Business since 1985. We were welcomed into this small community by Township Officials who were thrilled to have another business join an already diverse Business Community.

Jump ahead 10 years and Forks Township has changed drastically. The new residents moved in and forced changes to build a Bedroom Community in there image. They targeted the smells and noises of Farms. Since they worked out of the area they opposed the expansion of the Business Community. The transplants formed citizens groups and went after generations old family business’s like Braden’s Airport. Eventually they citizens groups found there way to seats on the Planning Committee, Board of Supervisors. From these seats they made zoning changes that made it easier for Builders to acquire and develop farm land. Business was over regulated to a point that Business development virtually stopped at the Forks Township Palmer Township Border. While Palmer Township Thrived on the increased tax revenue from mostly full Industrial Parks while Forks Township Industrial areas remain empty.

The biggest hit by all these fees and regulation was to the small independent Business’s that dotted Sullivan Trail. Many of them were overregulated out of business. The new Business’s that have opened on Sullivan Trail have done so at the cost of 10’s of thousands of Dollars in extra costs. Meeting after meeting to address changes demanded by Planners. The costs to open a small business in Forks Township are higher then profits that can be generated. Of the few that try most fail.

For example the New Weiss Market. After the Weiss Developers had the property returned to its original zoning a few citizens raised enough money to hire one of the most expensive lawyers in the valley to stop the project. This citizens group held off the building of Weiss for 2 more years as court decisions against the Citizens group were appealed and appealed. My estimates is Weiss spent $200,000.00 defending there right to build a Grocery Store on there own property.

My Battle to expand my business is legendary It has been written about and been in and out of the Press for 10 years. This has been an ongoing battle between our business and Township Officials. Officials who have prevented us from using our own Property to grow our business. Over the years Forks Township Officials have made several attempts to confiscate our property or change the zoning to prevent future expansion of our property.

If you read Press accounts or Official Forks Township records of my project a few names will pop up. What I was told years ago is a Recreation committee member and Supervisor felt our property needed to generate more taxable income then we produce.

Recreation is King in Forks Township. However what is passed off as Recreation doesn’t meet the definition. Trying to build a Sports Dynasty with Children is unconscionable but you don’t have to look deep into our youth programs to see competition is the word not Recreation