Zone change for warehouse becomes explosive issue

Zone change for warehouse becomes explosive issue
EDITOR:
This is in regard to the March 8 article outlining the lawsuit brought against Beaver Township and others.
It is not surprising that Beaver Township was sued in order to compel it to "review such plans and changes according to procedures outlined in the township zoning ordinance." We too have taken exception to the action of Beaver Township officials. We are a group of Beaver Township residents who oppose the construction of an 348,000-square-foot fireworks warehouse in our neighborhood. The stated size is just the warehouse structure. That is almost eight acres of warehouse filled with fireworks. The warehouse will be built within 300 feet of several residences and is within 300 yards of over two dozen houses. It is to be surrounded by a fence topped with razor wire.
Beaver Township officials granted permission to the B.J. Alan Co. to build this fireworks warehouse over opposition from many, if not most, residents of Beaver Township. Unlike the case of the Pine Lake residents, Beaver Township did conduct public meetings on the fireworks warehouse. However, the decision granting the permit for construction to proceed appeared to violate the township's own standards for granting permits. A cloud of suspicion hangs over the decision. One zoning appeals board member admitted that his company did work at the private residence of B.J. Alan owner Bruce Zoldan. Another board member did not appear to know that the parcel just east of the proposed warehouse, while zoned industrial, is actually a private residence. On the application, two parcels next to the warehouse site were said to be "vacant" when there are houses on the parcels. In the meanwhile, we have talked to residents around the warehouse site who were not aware that their zoning designations were changed -- apparently without their consent or even notification.
RICHARD MOLLENKEPT
North Lima
JOHN MORETTI
North Lima
Stop making excuses or looking the other way when children are abused
EDITOR:
When are we going to stop making excuses for women letting their live-in boyfriends beat, starve and kill their children? Why are we not charging these mothers with permitting child abuse?
In the case of the Weathersfield couple accused of child endangering, one defendant's attorney needs to read Webster's dictionary definition of cage. 1) A box or structure of wire, bars, etc. for confining birds or animals; 2) any openwork structure or frame; 3) a jail.
This mother came home that evening and permitted her 2-year-old beaten son to be caged like an animal. This is not the first time Children Services has been to this home over concern for these children. Please, everyone, step up for any child you think is being neglected by their mother.
DEBRA EVENER
Youngstown