Dear editor,
I am very disappointed that Susan Lynn put an article in the paper with quotes from Carl Slaugh making what I consider slanderous statements about me without getting my side of the story. The owners of Fountain Villa were contacted and quoted as saying that “they are big fans of the hospital.” Why wouldn’t they be? It will only benefit their facility by being close to the hospital and they personally do not have to live next to it. On the other hand, my family and I will live within 300 feet of the hospital! To say I am not happy about the situation would be an understatement. I built a home in a residential neighborhood never dreaming that the adjoining residential property would be rezoned commercial and have a hospital built on it. I am sure my property value will drop greatly due to the close proximity of the hospital!
Mr. Slaugh was quoted as saying that “this has been a prolonged battle between parties, a lack of cooperation exists and the process (is) unusually difficult.” Just to set the record straight, I received the first draft of the utility easement by email on March 1. I received the next revision on March 7. Due to a very busy month of March and being out of town 10 days during the month of March, I was not able to sit down with Jay Kretzmeier of the hospital board until April 5 to discuss the easement. On April 11, he presented me with an agreement that all parties agreed to! Getting the whole thing done in little over a month didn’t seem to me like a prolonged battle or unusually difficult. Mr. Slaugh’s portrayal of me as some “kind of terrorist holding the city hostage” is unprofessional and inaccurate.
Fair market value is all I asked for my property. If you do not think I should be compensated for property and loss of many trees, then I will not return the agreement and you can come take the property from me. Your choice Mr. Slaugh.
Sincerely,
Bob Macha,
Iola, Kan.
Editor’s note:
In fairness to City Administrator Carl Slaugh, never once did he refer to Bob Macha in his remarks at the April 10 meeting of Allen County Hospital Trustees. Rather, he surmised that people who do not cooperate sometimes do so as a way to wield power.
— Susan Lynn
