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Culpeper social-services agency drops plan to buy home in upper-middle-class neighborhood Date published: 9/10/2009
BY DONNIE JOHNSTON
The residents of the Village at Griffinsburg won their battle. A group home for the mentally disabled will not be moving to their neighborhood. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board is dropping its contract to buy a house in the western Culpeper County subdivision that would have become home to four adult clients. The RRCSB's decision, which came during a Tuesday meeting, was unanimous. "I believe [Tuesday's] decision was responsible and the right one," said Salem District Supervisor Tom Underwood, who led the fight against locating the home in the Village at Griffinsburg. At last week's Board of Supervisors meeting, residents from the subdivision where the two-story house in foreclosure is located complained vehemently against the purchase. Most argued that their neighborhood, about eight miles from town, was not the proper setting for such a group home. They said they worried that such a home would cause their property values to drop and compromise neighborhood safety. One resident said the community might lose insurance coverage if the house were sold to the RRCSB. One woman promised that she "would be the neighbor from hell" if the group home was established on her street. The group also said that neighborhood covenants prohibited unrelated persons from living in a single-family dwelling there. Attorney Ed Gentry, who lives in the neighborhood, had vowed to wage a legal battle against the RRCSB if the agency continued to pursue the $200,000 purchase. He said he and his neighbors were relieved that the problem had been solved. "It was not an appropriate location," said Gentry. Underwood agreed that the Village at Griffinsburg was "not the best location" for the home. "I fully support the mission of the CSB and I would welcome the home in my district," said Underwood. "But the Village at Griffinsburg had lawful covenants that were contrary to the home being located there." Underwood, a first-term supervisor, said he had received numerous angry phone calls from people on both sides of the issue. "I have learned a lot from this process," he said. And, he added, "I don't condone some of the colorful comments made at the Board of Supervisors meeting." Underwood blamed "misinformation and a lack of information" for much of the controversy. Residents said they did not know of the RRCSB's intention to buy the house until after the contract was signed. RRCSB Director Brian Duncan did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment yesterday. Donnie Johnston:
The people in this beighborhood should remember "But by the Grace of God Go I" because any of them could be involved in an accident and have a brain injury or any of them could have children or grandchildren who are born with a disability. I have worked with adults with intellectual disabilities for the past 10 years. I consider myself blessed to call them my friends because they are the most caring and loving people I know. How about getting to know them before you make such judgements?? Shame on YOU!!!
to be the "neighbor from hell" has been practicing. Even if I felt that way, I'm not sure I'd promote myself as such - it isn't particularly flattering. Shame on them all for not being able to conduct themselves in a more gracious and classy manner. I think the covenant issue spoke for itself and would have provided a sufficient arguement to mask their overall ignorance and fear of the handicapped. Do you really know all your other neighbors that well? Sad.
Indeed Mr Gentry and his president neighbors would be poor neighbors to a small group of mentally disabled people. The woman from hell would indeed probably wind up there, given her attitude. Remind me if she decides to move and purchase a home in or near my neighborhood. We can only hope that when one of that neighborhood should become mentally incapacitated, that they have already voted to be left to the elements and NOT cared for in a appropriate manner. SHAME
I'm floored about the way people can act!! But for the safty of the people in the group home I am glad that they withdrawn the plan. But I think that some lady was way off when she stated "she would be the neighbor from hell" that is WRONG. These adults that has a disability they are no different then us. They all have a huge heart. I work with them everyday. so before you start promising something in that area you need to stop and think because I am sure that you are already the neighbor from hell!!
realized that that neighborhood and its residents weren't good enough for the residents of the group home that was planned. hopefully the agency will find a better group of neighbors for them. be interesting to see the status of the house in a few months and who if anyone is living there then.
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