COMMERCE RESIDENTS LOOK TO REBUILD

COMMERCE -- It will take more than rising waters and a flood buyout program to make Bobby Kight leave his home.

Kight was one of five Commerce residents who attended a public meeting Monday night to discuss resurrecting the Scott County river town.

"I've lived here 30 years and I'm not going to give up my home or this town," Kight said. "I love it here and I'm going to stay. This is the first time I took part but I never had to before."

Despite the small turnout for the meeting, the town hopes to rebuild. Results from a community development survey are still being tabulated, said acting mayor Allen Wright.

"We've done hit bottom," said Dewayne Vetter. "Now we've got to work our way back up."

Village leaders approved a state buyout plan in October 1995 following devastating spring floods. However, many residents have been unhappy with the results of the program.

About 80 percent of the town -- or 72 homes -- qualified for the $1.7 million buyout program. But fewer than 15 homeowners have accepted buyout offers from the State Emergency Management Agency.

"They're moving in as fast as they are going out," said Buddy Vetter, a longtime resident. "You could sell a lot every day if you wanted to."

Many residents originally had hoped for a levee and not a buyout plan.

A study, completed before the buyout, estimated the cost of building a levee at $750,000, Wright said. Now the town doesn't qualify for any federal grants or programs.

But Dixie High, a newcomer, wants to develop a historical preservation program to spark interest in the town. She is applying for state and national historical grants. Commerce was founded in 1790 and is the oldest town in Scott County.

"If they'd give us the money to rebuild the way we want to, they'd get it all back in taxes," she said.

"We're just trying to keep some of the historical places from being torn down," Wright said.

High who lives in one of the town's historical homes, moved to Commerce from Las Vegas, Nev., last year. Her husband, Jack, was born in Commerce.