Indifference to Sheehy residents

To the Editor:

It is a disgrace to live in an area that doesn't value human life. Some of you readers may think that's a bit harsh, particularly since a new, larger hospital is under construction in Poplar Bluff. The ultimate revenue benefits to the hospital and Poplar Bluff City Hall are obvious, but what about the intrusion into the lives of more than 100 local citizens. These residents have been lied to, neglected and live in a "dust bowl" subjecting them to exist daily in negative life altering conditions.

At Sheehy Mobile Home Park some desperate residents have moved at their own expense while others have sold their homes to Mr. Sheehy at far below fair market value. The rest of the residents are hopeful of having the previous promises fulfilled.

My wife and I have attended three meetings conducted by Ryan Kiser of 8 Points Development for the residents of Sheehy Mobile Home Park. In these meetings he promised to relocate all residents of the aforementioned Mobile Home Park to a new Mobile Home Park in close proximity of the existing one. This was to include moving all mobile homes, decks and carports at no expense to the Sheehy Mobile Home Park Lessees. All of this was to occur prior to commencement of construction.

The irony of this unfortunate situation is the hospital should be in the business of saving lives, when in reality they are responsible for unnecessary illnesses and the demise of life for these folks.

The City of Poplar Bluff staff have been celebrating this project and receiving publicity relative to it, with no regard or protective measures for its citizens. The primary responsibility of a city is to protect its citizens to the best of its ability.

If these circumstances had been caused by an "Act of God" (tornado or earthquake) the city would provide immediate help to these resident. The priority in this project should have been to protect the health and welfare of the affected people. The city, hospital and developer should all be held accountable for neglecting to provide a safe environment for these poor folks to live.

What are the names of the perpetrators at the city and the hospital who are admiring the construction of a building at the expense of a group of innocent people? As a citizen of this community, I am outraged at the indifference shown towards these folks.

Immediate action must be implemented to protect these citizens even if it requires stopping construction until they all find new home sites and are moved there as promised.

For future projects the city and county must have regulations and policies which protect their citizens from ever living in harm's way again.

Ken Ovenshire

Poplar Bluff, Mo.