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Dear Editor,

First of all, my husband, Mick, and I are Farm Bureau members, and own a 300-acre farm in Erie County. Your article about H.B. 449, sponsored by Rep. Tom Lendrum was excellent. It is a serious issue that we face in Erie County.

About 40 families, many Farm Bureau members, have been fighting our appointed park board for over 10 years now, and have witnessed unbelievable corruption, misuse of tax dollars, and overall "above the law" arrogance by this park board. About eight years ago, we formed a grassroots organization, "Citizens for the Protection of Property Rights" (CPPR), and are committed to exposing this irresponsible park board as they try to take our back yards and farm fields.

I, as well as my neighbors, think it would be a great eye-opener (and a boost for Lendrum's bill) for your readers to see just how above the law and out of hand these park boards have become. I have started networking with many other counties in Ohio that are facing similar situations, most of whom are farmers, too. But many of your readers, and their state legislators, are unaware of the grave threat these appointed "eminent domain-happy" park boards pose. And as they are successful in their evil deeds, they are sharing their tactics with other park boards across the state...growing like a cancer.

I feel this is perfect timing to get this information out to the farmers across Ohio. I'm sure you have many FB members who can relate to our struggle...scores of farmers who also are being threatened by these unaccountable government-appointed officials. Stories like ours need to be told so we can help each other protect our property and preserve our farmland.

CPPR appreciates Farm Bureau's efforts to get HB 449 passed.

Sincerely,
Lisa Coles
Huron, OH

CPPR has a Web site with more info about their struggles. Access it via the OFBF home page at www.ofbf.org Click on featured links.