COLD SPRING – Residents continued to oppose the sale of significant land in Taylor Township to the Gaming Commission at the borough council meeting on Monday.
Called Mountain Ground, the 1,367-acre land was donated to the borough by Roaring Spring founder Daniel M. Bare. At its June 13 meeting, council voted 5-2 to approve the option to sell the land for $1.2 million, according to Mirror records.
Taylor Township resident John Camerer questioned why the council claimed to have “explored all options” but had failed to meet with Troy Wright and other residents about the idea of a possible sports club.
Wright, a Roaring Spring resident, had raised the idea at a previous council meeting, records show.
“You didn’t explore all the options because you didn’t meet any of us and explore that option we had,” Camerar said.
Borough Council Chairman Rodney Green said what he heard at that meeting was the proposal for a club and that to him, a club means “Some people can enter a property and some people can’t.”
“A club does not include everyone” said Green. “It was mentioned that there should be a fee. Well, the solution we have right now is that there is no fee and everyone – especially once the property is sold to the Game Commission – will be open to everyone.
Camerer went on to say that they could have potentially presented the borough with funds of $100,000 per year by charging an annual fee of $100 and that in 10 years they would do what the Game Commission offers for the land.
“I bet I could have convinced 1,000 people to do it, and even at $200 a pop, it’s $200,000.” Camerar said.
However, Green said the idea would exclude a lot of people who wouldn’t be able to afford the membership, and by selling the land on commission it would be open to everyone.
Norm Wright, father of Troy Wright who is disabled and walks with a cane, said Green was wrong and that selling the land on commission would make it accessible to fewer people.
“When the Game Commission takes over this land, I’m done”, said Norman Wright. “I won’t be on it anymore. I can’t walk anywhere in that distance, whether it’s hunting, sightseeing or anything.
He claimed the commission does not make it easy for anyone to hunt on his land and is only interested in money.
“That mountain, up there, there’s money in the bank”, said Norman Wright. “It’s still there – it will still be worth what you sold it for and over the years maybe even more. You’re making a big mistake selling it.
One of the main reasons the borough is selling the Mountain Ground is liability, according to Mirror records.
But the borough cannot be sued for what it fears being sued for, such as allowing hunters on property, N Morman Wright said.
“If we have to run away from anything that can be brought to court, we might as well stay home, lock the doors and never come out again because someone is going to sue you,” he said.
The sale of the Mountain Ground is expected to materialize by the end of the year, records show.
Mirror Staff editor Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.