Letter to the Editor

What will become of Sheehy residents?

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

To the Editor,

My name is Doyle Sappington, a resident of Sheehy Adult Mobile Home Park on Oak Grove Rd. Since writing my first letter dtd. 28 Jan. 2011 in reference to the ongoing quagmire of the PBRMC and K2 Commercial Group project vs. Residents of the Sheehy Mobile Home Park, I have yet to hear from our council committee members and/or local and elected state officials addressing the issues in regards to the ultimate removal and relocation of the mobile home park and the demise of its residents. The developer, Ryan Kiser, K2 Commercial GRP has been very outspoken in news articles. However, he has not addressed the residents for at least nine months now. Community Development groups is becoming increasingly argumentative as to location of PBMRC. Moreover, in doing so they have lost sight of to where to place the residents/citizens, and why should they, I have not seen them as neighbors. I will have to agree with the Honorable State Representative Mr. Todd Richardson that we do not need big government telling corporations where to build and redevelop communities. However, as a representative, I would at least ask some questions and one being: What are you a developer doing to satisfy the needs of my constituents?

In conclusion, Community Development Exchange defines community development as: "both an occupation (such as community development worker in a local authority) and a way of working with communities. Its key purpose is to build communities based on justice, equality and mutual respect.

Community development involves changing the relationships between ordinary people and people in positions of power, so that everyone can take part in the issues that affect their lives. It starts from the principle that within any community there is a wealth of knowledge and experience which, if used in creative ways, can be channeled into collective action to achieve the communities' desired goals.

Community development practitioners work alongside people in communities to help build relationships with key people and organizations and to identify common concerns. They create opportunities for the community to learn new skills and, by enabling people to act together, community development practitioners help foster social inclusion and equality.

I am for redevelopment for the betterment of the community, however, there are residents that are elderly, disabled, veterans and low income in the Sheehy Adult Mobile Home Park whose lives will forever be changed either for good or bad decision. I ask what will happen to them?

The views and opinions expressed are solely that of my own and does not reflect that of other residents. Thank You and God Bless.

Doyle E. Sappington

Poplar Bluff, Mo.