The implication of Judge Elgee's ruling in the Rollins-Poster dispute should concern everyone living in East Fork in particular and Blaine County in general. It is incomprehensible that any citizen would be reprimanded by the court for attempting to exercise his rights. If Poster isn't an "aggrieved party," then who is? Everyone living in East Fork who must drive by that property daily is an "aggrieved party."
In addition to defending the specific Mountain Overlay guidelines by himself, Poster is also trying to sell his home, which shares the property line with the eyesore next door.
We suggest that voters follow this case closely because it has precedent-setting implications. We have faith that the Blaine County Commission has the power and the vision to enforce and defend the Mountain Overlay guidelines, as well as all the other laws that commissioners were elected to uphold. No one is suggesting that citizens want to appeal every county decision, as Rollins stated in his opinion in the Dec. 22 Idaho Mountain Express. Citizens do have the right to insist that the laws be properly enforced.
The County Commission unanimously ruled that the Rollins property lies squarely in the Mountain Overlay zone and that a building permit was issued in error. The fact that an appeal was not submitted within a 20-day timeframe is a technicality.
Until now this case has been limited to land use, and any personal fallout Rollins may have experienced had nothing to do with Poster. Poster has earned a stellar reputation in our community as an upstanding businessman, citizen and neighbor, and he is well-known for being honest, generous and fair-minded. He never should have had to fight this battle by himself in the first place. Poster is not responsible for the public's negative reaction to the stripped hillside. All one need do is drive down East Fork Road and take a look at the eroding eyesore on that hillside, and you will quickly form your own opinion about the unsuitability of the project.
Deb and Bennett Healy
Greg and Robin Hawes
East Fork
