ZBA Meeting Report

7/5/2001 Frank Hogg

Editorial

The meeting almost didn't happen with only two members present. Then a phone call convinced Del to come and he arrived shortly thereafter making it a quorum. The first issue, the Reynolds variance, was run of the mill stuff. It didn't get interesting until Rick Shafer of Flying J fame needed a variance in a hurry for his property on Song Lake. He needs 75-feet of setback but only has 30 so the ZBA needs to hear that. A special rush hearing is set for 7/19/2001 at 7:30 for both parties. During the course of Rick's presentation he effused about how well Doug Staley treated him, how helpful he was and how he did things in a timely manor. I have a file folder filled with reports about Doug Staley and none of what I have agrees with Rick's assessment of Staley... Hmmm, I wonder why?

Then things got. 'Different'.

Dennis Morgan, owner of the Mountain View restaurant had nothing good to say about Staley. (Now that's the Staley I know) He said he put in the papers to Staley 10 days ago and Staley hasn't done a darn thing. This is for a deck that is less than 18" off the ground and 12 foot wide. He got a stop work order from Staley but Staley won't return his calls. Staley wouldn't stop by to see the job even though he has driven by the work site to go to and from Preble many times. He said Staley has a past conflict with a family member and he thinks Staley is doing this for a grudge. (Yep, that's the Staley I'm familiar with.) He is upset with John Steger too. He said he talked to Steger and Steger didn't do a thing. He said he had given all the stuff to Staley that Staley wanted but Staley sat on it. He was rightly upset. Dan suggested that Mr. Morgan come to the Town Board meeting this coming Monday and talk to them. Dan said he doesn't get things from Staley in a timely fashion either.

Well, I don't know if Mr. Morgan reads this but here is some background information I have gleaned about Staley and the Town Board over the years.

First keep in mind that Staley is a hired hand, he works for the Town Board (NOT the town) as a consultant. The 'real' Code Enforcement Officer is, was and always has been the Supervisor, currently John Steger. It is Steger's name that is on all the Permits. In his work for the Town Board Staley is reviewed every year and every year the Town Board re-hires him. Therefore they are happy with the work he does. I have personally witnessed Staley doing to other people what he is doing to Mr. Morgan. In all cases it is the same. If the person is a 'friend' of the Town Board they get stellar treatment. If not then Staley delays doing what he is supposed to do causing hardship and costing the victim lots of money. I think of Staley as the Town Boards 'hit man'. He doesn't physically hurt anybody but if you talk to someone who was one of his victims you will note a permanent scar on their psyche.

While many think that the problem is Staley they and you should remember that Staley could not do what he does without the full knowledge and consent of the Town Board. I've talked to many people in other communities that Staley works for and his MO is the same all over. The Town Boards in those communities work just like they do in Preble. Power hungry people who enjoy being evil always seem to find a certain type of entity to hire them. The only way to rid Preble of this man is to rid Preble of the Town Board that hires and rehires him year after year.

Be at the caucus in August and vote for change or one day you too may become a victim.