11/02/2019
Here is a letter from Dennis Hasselbach’s Family to Fremont Voters, Kurtiss Hirt, Mayor Danny Sanchez and The City of Fremont:
In order to address the facts that have been misrepresented on Facebook and other media outlets regarding the potential development on Mulberry Street, we would like to share some concerns we have regarding the upcoming zoning referendum.
To the Fremont Voters:
Finally, a group of Fremont Citizens, “The Taxpayers for Responsible Development”, are questioning and challenging Kurtiss Hirt and the way the City of Fremont handled his request to build apartments in an R-1-zoned neighborhood. This group’s efforts are the sole reason why a zoning referendum will be put on the ballot on November 5th. The group was forced to retain lawyers in order to bring this issue to the Ohio Supreme Court when Kurtiss Hirt and the members of City Council attempted to pass an “emergency vote” to get his one parcel re-zoned from R-1 to R-3 without proper procedures including the vote of the citizens of Fremont.
The Ohio Supreme Court also found this move to be unjust and ruled in favor of putting this referendum for the zoning amendment on the ballot. We are thankful that the court came to this obvious ruling and were able to keep the City of Fremont in compliance with the law. If you would like more information from the citizens of Mulberry Street, please go to The Taxpayers for Responsible Development’s page: (https://www.facebook.com/voteNoZoningRef/).
The Ohio Supreme Court has given all Citizens of Fremont a voice and the ability to vote against irresponsible development in our city. Citizens of Fremont, please vote for your neighbors on November 5th and vote “NO” on the proposed zoning amendment for Inlot Parcel #34-60-00-0082-02. This zoning change needs to be stopped. If not, spot zoning might happen in your neighborhood next.
Points to consider regarding tax abatements and Fremont’s Economic Development Plan:
We truly believe the city leaders have created a false narrative claiming that constructing a small apartment complex on a small, dead-end street will bring industry to the city. How is this possible? After the initial building of the apartments, how will they continue to bring revenue to the city if the owner is receiving a 15-year tax abatement? They appear to be putting the cart before the horse. Have they shared what the economic impact will be on Fremont and whether this impact offsets the 15-year tax abatement? Doesn’t it seem to be more reasonable to first focus on bringing industry/jobs to the city and then housing will come?
While tax abatements might be an incentive to bring industry to a city, the total economic impact must offset what it costs the city, especially schools and taxpayers. That being said, we have included links to three articles which discuss forgone revenue in Ohio due to tax abatements, especially to public school districts:
https://www.policymattersohio.org/research-policy/quality-ohio/revenue-budget/budget-policy/tax-abatements-cost-ohio-schools-at-least-125-million
https://www.policymattersohio.org/research-policy/quality-ohio/revenue-budget/tax-policy/local-tax-abatement-in-ohio-a-flash-of-transparency
https://www.goodjobsfirst.org/accountable-development/key-reforms-protecting-schools
According to Policy Matters Ohio: “Tax abatements cost Ohio schools at least $125 million”. It has been indicated by Fremont officials that funding for public schools, parks, the School of Hope, etc. would not be affected by the 15-year abatement. If this is true, then voters should ask how will this money be recovered? Where will it come from? Will the taxpayers be responsible for making up the loss of revenue for these public programs? Bottom line, we think the taxpayers deserve transparency, not only with where this money for schools and other public services will come from but also with the exact building development plans on that property (Mr. Hirt).
To Kurtiss Hirt:
Now that this zoning amendment is forced to vote by the Ohio Supreme Court, it is apparent that you might be afraid of losing: afraid of losing the money you have invested into this parcel while assuming your connections at the City of Fremont would change the zoning for you without following the proper procedures. Why else would you be running such a negative, smear campaign against the neighbors on Mulberry Street?... Purchasing full page ads in the newspaper and posting misleading information on Facebook about the citizens of this neighborhood in hopes that others would buy into your story.
While your money and connections with the City of Fremont may be enabling your campaign for the rezoning on Mulberry Street, we find these types of campaign tactics not only to be disrespectful to the residents of this neighborhood, but also reflect behavior which is highly unprofessional and unethical. You may assume your money and connections will influence the voters. However, our hope is that the voters of Fremont will see through your dishonesty and character attacks and vote “No” on the proposed zoning amendment on November 5th.
To the City of Fremont Administration and Council:
We find it outrageous that the City of Fremont is so one-sided that it would consider changing the zoning on this parcel, especially since you tried to do so against the will of the people that live in that neighborhood. In addition, we would also like to know why you are providing Kurtiss Hirt with such a huge tax break on his property without having him cover the costs of more of the infrastructure? How is it fair to the other tax paying citizens of Fremont that Hirt will only pay tax for an empty lot, only $320 per year for the next 15 years, and not on the apartments he plans to build?
The City is demonstrating its bias by focusing on the demands of one particular developer and ignoring the requests of other tax paying citizens of Fremont. Your actions and the manner in which you have proceeded with Hirt’s requests to develop this parcel are evidence of a city government that is influenced by money and not truly interested in meeting the needs of the people who live in this area. Shame on you!
In addition, we are appalled at the manner in which the Mayor conducted himself on September 5th at the City of Fremont Council meeting as evidenced by the attached video:
https://www.facebook.com/david.roca.792303/videos/140713687210770/
His mannerism reflected verbal and emotional bullying-like behaviors. He made slanderous remarks to our father, referring to Dennis Hasselbach as an extortionist and insinuating that he was behaving like a “criminal”. This is not only extremely unprofessional and unethical, but entirely untrue. Dennis Hasselbach is a man of integrity and has dedicated more than 35 years of service to the City of Fremont as the Assistant City of Fremont Engineer enforcing the zoning and building regulations as written. We believe both you and Mr. Hirt owe Dennis, our father, an apology for treating him that way and for ignoring the truth of that situation.
Sincerely,
Dennis Hasselbach’s Family
Kelley Hasselbach, Denny Hasselbach Jr., Dawn Hasselbach, Nicole Lyons, Matt Lyons, Ashleigh Hasselbach, Abbi Hasselbach, Amy and John Priest.
