(My comments in all-caps)

Ohio Town Nips Church Katrina Shelter Plan
Wednesday, October 5, 2005 8:34 PM EDT
The Associated Press

RIDGEVILLE CORNERS, Ohio (AP) — Village leaders turned down a church's request to provide temporary housing for up to 50 people displaced by Hurricane Katrina after some residents expressed concern about safety and whether there were enough jobs to go around.
Ridgeville Township's zoning appeals board on Tuesday rejected a request for a permit that would have allowed the church to renovate and allow for housing the evacuees.

Don Barnett, pastor of Christ Community Church, had said some opponents were racially prejudiced.

Zoning board member Randy Rohrs said the church's proposal would have changed the character of the village and disturbed the community. OK, CAN YOU BELIEVE THEY SAID THAT SO OUTRIGHT? HOW PREDJUDICE! The village of fewer than 2,000 residents, about 40 miles west of Toledo, has no grocery or clothing stores.

Board members also said the church's building was not designed to house that many people and that church leaders had not moved to meet health and fire standards. PURE RED TAPE IS ALL THAT IS... THINK ABOUT THE STORY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN...THE FIRST FEW PEOPLE PASSED THE VICTIM BY...THAT'S WHAT THIS TOWN BOARD IS DOING.

"I just don't think the proper steps were taken," said resident Luvena Ripke. "It's sad we can't help the way the church wants to — we all want to help." THEN HELP FOR PETE'S SAKE

Letters from dozens of nearby residents who oppose the church project were presented to the board.

The minister told residents the church was willing to do background checks on evacuees and that area employers told him there would be jobs available. He also said there were plans to have at least two people at the building to alleviate safety concerns. GOOD FOR HIM THAT HE WANTED TO HELP AND SHOWED CHRISTIAN (NOT TO MENTION HUMAN) CHARITY AND KINDNESS.