Dear Editor,

We are writing this letter in response to the statements made by Commissioner Larry Dillard at the County Commission meeting and work session on Oct. 11, 2010 regarding to the enforcement of the zoning regulations that was written up about 12 years ago when part of Beat 9 was zoned A-1 agricultural, which at that time Mr. Dillard was a commissioner.

The regulations state the kennels must not be located less than 75 feet from the property line.

According to Associate Editor Amy Jones of the Shelby County Reporter, Mr. Dillard said he is afraid the commission is infringing on the rights of property owners by setting out rigid rules for what property owners can do.

We believe that when they zoned Beat 9, that pretty well set out rigid rules for what property owners can do. Mr. Dillard also made the statement that, to him, it is un-American to ask somebody to give up 75 feet of their property.

We think that it is un-American as property owners to have to put up with undue annoyance and disturbance plus the odor that is caused by 20 or more dogs, mostly pit bulls that will bark at anyone or anything day and night that are being housed in kennels that are approximately 20 feet from our property line.

We would like to think that not any of the commissioners or anyone else would like to have these dogs next to their property.

We contacted the Shelby County officials more than two years ago asking them to enforce the zoning regulations.

As of today, nothing has been done.

We would also like the Shelby County officials to pass a nuisance law to cover any problems that the zoning regulations does not cover and enforce both.

If anyone who reads this feels as we do, please contact your commissioner at the Jan. 24 meeting of the county commission.

Oran and Ruth Harrington

Paula Barnett

Wilsonville