Concerned citizens are asking for immediate action to fix the “toxic culture” of the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission.
The petition letter, created Thursday and directed toward State Representative DJ Johnson, reads “We, concerned citizens of Owensboro, come to you seeking help.”
According to the petition, which can be found here, signees have experienced little guidance in the permitting process, disconnect between OMPC and the Historic Preservation Board, an overall sense of resistance among other reasons.
“We have a culture of resistance rather than assistance,” the petition reads. “We are losing these opportunities to Bowling Green, Paducah, and other Kentucky cities due to this toxic culture.”
Ryan McDaniel, one of the organizers for the petition and a local entrepreneur and developer, said Thursday the group is wanting elected officials to look into the situation and help the group fix the problem.
“The problems stated in the letter have plagued Owensboro for many years,” McDaniel wrote in a statement. “Local government, as well as OMPC management, has been contacted repeatedly, but we feel as though our complaints have been swept under the rug.”
McDaniel continues to write, they are requesting a simpler permitting process that provides customers with one point of contact who is a “personable, knowledgeable representative that welcomes business to Owensboro.”
Johnson said when he noticed the petition early on, he took note of the serious concerns listed and said he will begin to look into their requests.
The petition had garnered nearly 250 signatures by Friday afternoon. Johnson said he is always interested in hearing what the residents of the county have to say on the matter and will look into the petition.
“That is a large number of individuals that have some concerns and I owe it to my constituents to look into the matter,” Johnson said.
