LETTERS: THINK ABOUT FUTURE USES OF YOUR LAND

To the editor:

Is planning and zoning right for you? For my family and me, it could have caused great suffering.

Four and a half years ago, we were blessed with a wonderful granddaughter. Unfortunately, her parents were unable to take care of her. So my wife and I took custody of our granddaughter. My wife and I both worked outside the home, so in order to be at home with our granddaughter, I opened my own business next to our home. Would planning and zoning allow me to do that?

About a year ago it became clear that my parents were no longer able to take care of their home and themselves. Instead of putting them in a nursing home, my mother bought a mobile home and put it next to me on my property. Would planning and zoning have allowed that?

Maybe right now planning and zoning looks good, but what if several years from now you need to help your parents, children or grandchildren? It's your land. You bought it. You paid for it. You pay taxes on it. You should be able to do with it as you please as long as it doesn't harm your neighbors.

It's up to you the way you vote, but look to the future. You never know what you may need to do with your land.

GARY HUFFMAN

Oak Ridge, Mo.