Icon viewers:

We are writing to inform the residents of Richland Township who have home businesses BEWARE! We own and operate a roll off and recycling business in a zoned business district in Richland Township.

The township trustees will not permit us to continue our business because we are violating the Zoning Regulations and state that we cannot operate in a business district. The zoning text that we have in this township does not state that we can or cannot operate our business.

We have followed all the necessary steps with each board and have been denied rezoning or a conditional use permit. Therefore the township is taking us to court to close down our business. (They will be using the County Prosecutor, which is your tax dollars to pay for her, to fight against us).

We have had no complaints from any resident in Richland Township about what we are doing on our own property, in fact everyone we have talked to regarding this issue is in favor of what we are doing and like the fact that we are recycling and doing what everyone is promoting - GOING GREEN!

Many people that drive by our property are not even aware that we are recycling because our property is kept clean and the recycling is done inside our building.

Also just so the residents know that we are in compliance with the Health Department of Allen County and the Ohio EPA with our recycling operation.

The township is more worried that our property is the GATEWAY TO THEIR Township, however, there is an Adult Book store situated right across the road from our property and they had NO PROBLEMS grandfathering them in to the zoning text so they could continue on with their business.

What kind of values do we have here in Richland Township, Allen County that we can let an Adult book store take priority over recycling? This property is not their GATEWAY; this property has been in the family for over 100 years and why should they think they have the right to tell us what we can or cannot do on our property.

What do the people in this township think? We need all the help we can get to fight this matter. These are people that you voted in to do the job as trustees of the township: Rod Goldsberry, Gary Lugibihl and Don Brauen. The following are appointed by the Township trustees: Mike Zimmerly, zoning inspector. Zoning board: Bob Holt, Richard Bixel, Joe Alt, Ned Althaus, Alan Begg. Zoning Appeals board: Doug Oberly, Chuck Niswander, Dennis Morris, Don Fultz, and Walter Rysz.

How do you think these men would feel if the shoe was on the other foot? Oh wait a minute they have no feelings!! If they succeed in putting us out of business, what about the other people who have small or home businesses and rely on the income that they make to provide for their families? Please help us in this fight or be prepared - YOU WILL BE NEXT!

Robert and Sue Spallinger