Help thy Neighbor!

I would like to share a story about my neighbor. He lives in Miami Township next to a subdivision that is currently under construction (Mills of Miami). Before the first chunk of dirt was turned, he had concerns about stormwater runoff and the potential for flooding of his home.

He took his concerns to the Chief Building Official, Ray Sebastian, and the Clermont County Commissioners. Numerous letters were sent and many calls were made. He even hired an attorney and a geotechnical consultant. The geotech consultant determined that the detention basin for the proposed subdivision was too small. These concerns and others were conveyed to the county officials. Over the course of nearly a year he received absolutely no response (nothing, nada, zero) from the county apparatus. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) found violations on this site.

Meanwhile, the plans for this subdivision were not properly approved and the development hungry County Commissioners were ready to approve the record plat of the subdivision even though the proper procedures had not been followed. The Planning Commission rubberstamped it knowing that there were violations at the state level. It should be no surprise that the procedures were not followed, we are in Clermont County after all. Meanwhile, my neighbor gets flooded out several times. His worst fears were realized. He conveyed his concerns and they fell on deaf ears. What is interesting is that the County Planning Commission approved the plan at a 5pm meeting, the next day at 1pm the Commissioners approved it. Is this adequate public notice? NO.

The county did not follow the proper subdivision regulations nor their own stormwater regulations as it related to this new development (and many others, I might add). They did not respond to the concerns of this resident and taxpayer. He filed suit against the Commissioners and Planning Commission. The suits are now pending.

The question is: Why in the hell does the County machine force the little guy into litigation when the issues presented could have been addressed at the onset? I can think of no other reason than the Commissioners (Mary Walker, Bob Proud, Scott Croswell), the Chief Building Official (Ray Sebastian) and others are getting kickbacks or some other payment, cash or otherwise from these developers. People, this is corruption, plain and simple. It must stop! If there is some other reason, perhaps the Commissioners can enlighten me.

This type of situation breeds well (much like mold in a damp environment) in a culture of corruption -- a culture which is facilitated by the one party domination of the County elected officials.