German Twp. officials look to block halfway house
GERMAN TWP. – After an area woman proposed converting her personal care home to a halfway house for non-violent criminals to the Fayette County Prison Board last month, the township supervisors took preemptive action Tuesday to try and block the proposal. Supervisor Dan Shimshock said he, along with supervisors Bob Croushore and Bob Belch, is working to help get a petition drive started across the community as well as picking up the tab for any mailing expenses for letters in opposition to the proposed facility.
“We are committed to do anything to keep this out of the township,” Shimshock said.
Last week, an attorney representing Maxine Shipley, who owns and operates the Sunshine Hollow Road personal care home, presented the county with the proposal to convert the building into a house for up to 100 non-violent criminals in the Fayette County Prison.
Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink said she was “on board” with the proposal, and Shipley’s attorney said he would contact the board to further review the matter and to examine the other steps needed to convert the building.
“We need to get these petitions filled out,” Shimshock told a large crowd Tuesday, noting that anyone interested in writing a letter could drop them off at the township building.
Shimshock said he will attend the next zoning hearing in the county to keep the township abreast of any developments regarding the proposed housing facility.
“We will be ready to fight this thing,” Shimshock said, adding that the supervisors do not think the proposal could benefit the area economy or residents.
German Township resident Terry Janosek said Shipley had trouble keeping senior citizens on the grounds of her personal care home and wondered if she could handle the security needed to run a halfway house.
“They were always wandering up through my fields,” Janosek said.
“What makes her think she can keep prisoners?” Janosek asked.
The residents at the meeting commended the supervisors for taking preemptive action in the matter.
The three supervisors also conducted the following business:
– Received an update regarding the massive sewage project planned for the township in the coming years that will bring sewage lines to more than 1,000 homes.
A representative from Widmer Engineering said the project is awaiting approval from the Rural Utility Service and added that aerial maps are under construction.
– Announced that the Lardin House restaurant will be opening under new management soon after approval of a new liquor license for the building.