|
|
Many of those in attendance were wearing lime green shirts identifying them as "Concerned Citizens" who have concerns with the Just for Jesus program.
Gary Wingard asked for a response to a series of questions that had been previously posed to the supervisors in May. Hearing no answers, he said the group had taken its concerns to the Jefferson County Commissioners and had been referred back to the township.
He asked if there is any stipulation on signs in the township, or any plan to develop an ordinance similar to one recently reported from Reynoldsville.
He voiced a need for guidelines on housing offenders, and the need to set a cap on the number of enrollees in a place like Just for Jesus.
Agreeing that there is a need for such a facility, Wingard proposed that it should be only a short-term facility and all enrollees should be required to search for housing back home.
Barefield explained that the role of the supervisors is to keep everybody within the rules of behavior, but the supervisors cannot jeopardize the township treasury by enacting rules that can't be enforced. He added that, in the eyes of the law, no one at Just for Jesus is illegal.
Carla Bullers picked up on the legal issues and asked if there were any sewage violations at the facility and whether the number of people in residence there would violate the housing code for a single dwelling.
She was told that the supervisors are continually checking on all permits in the township.
Clyde Salandra suggested that ordinances are needed now to set up zoning for the township.
Non-resident Bob Buddenbohn was next on the list of people who had signed in and Barefield called on him. Since it had previously been announced that only township residents should be heard, a great outcry came from the audience. When Buddenbohn was permitted to speak, the concerned citizens walked out and left the area with an occasional shout, roaring engine and squealing tires.
Barefield justified his position since some accusations had been indicated toward the Just for Jesus ministry, it was legally important to allow a response.
Buddenbohn said Bishop Jack Wisor cannot turn people away because of his ministry, and he has been meeting with legislators in Harrisburg to find a solution to the problem through statewide church and social organizations along with the state Department of Corrections.
The supervisors went into a brief closed meeting with solicitor Tim Morris. When they returned, they said that from now on the meetings will only address township (not personal) business and zoning ordinances are very expensive to enact with engineering studies and public hearings required. They agreed that zoning does make life easier when it comes to enforcement.
---
By Jim Grant, C-E correspondent.
