Taxpayers paying dearly for mistake
After reading the recent articles in the local newspapers, I have to further speak my mind and set the record straight on Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink’s desperate attempt to make my colleague Commissioner Vince Zapotosky and myself look bad while trying to make herself look good. I have faith that the citizens of Fayette County will see through Commissioner Zimmerlink’s hidden agenda in the Cellurale Case. I can assure you that Commissioner Zapotosky and myself have done the right thing with this matter. In fact if Commissioner Zapotosky would have been in office with me back in 2005 this $150,000 tentative settlement would never have happened, because selective enforcement is wrong.
We wanted full disclosure, and we wanted the citizens of Fayette County to know the truth and that is why we did not want to settle this lawsuit. The tentative settlement was a decision of the insurance company.
Commissioner Zimmerlink stated publicly that the two Vinces have declined to defend the case on the merits and instead made it political. Our decision is absolutely not political. I was in favor of the Cellurale rezoning back in 2001 when the former board of commissioners voted on this as a majority.
I believed then as I believe now, that they or anyone else could stay in business even though it is next to an historical property. People have a right to own and operate a business in Fayette County and we should be embracing businesses and their employment. I have always stood by this principal because jobs and economic development are and always have been a top priority.
Not long after Commissioner Zimmerlink began her tenure, the closed door meetings began with people opposed to the rezoning. These meetings were with the staff of Planning and Zoning, the assistant county solicitor and others with the same interest. The Zoning Hearing Board ruled that the Cellurales were in compliance with the ordinance. I believe that the decision made by the Zoning Hearing Board should have never been appealed by the former commissioners.
In addition the decision to appeal was made with no formal discussion. I again did not support this appeal. My decision has never changed since this battle began. I was convinced that going forward with the appeal would be costly to the taxpayers and place the county in legal jeopardy, and I was correct.
My decision again was made in the best interest of the county and its residents, not for political reasons, but Commissioners Zimmerlink and Joe Hardy supported the appeal. With the tentative $150,000.00 settlement we must also withdraw the appeal. This has been a complete waste of taxpayers dollars.
The county has a $10,000 deductible insurance policy, but when the insurance company pays this high of a claim it ultimately affects the insurance rates with future county budgets. These are the facts. The decision has always been very clear to me. I have always tried to protect Fayette County from unnecessary legal exposure and will continue to do so in the future.
This lawsuit should have never happened. Selective enforcement is wrong.
County zoning should be fair and consistent.
Commissioner Zimmerlink has stated that she does not believe that the county should administer countywide zoning, but she sure has involved herself with this particular case.
Vincent A. Vicites is a Fayette County commissioner.