Petition Circulating To Halt Proposed Wymore Group Home

By Gordon HopkinsA petition is now circulating to prevent a proposed group home for teenaged girls intended opening in the former Hope-Wymore building has run into a dispute over the interpretation of zoning regulations.Dr. Gertrude Makgabenyana, PLMHP, a therapist with New Hope Agency of Omaha, filed an application for a Special Use Permit with the City of Wymore to open a youth residential facility in the building that was previously used as an assisted living facility. That permit was denied based on zoning regulations in the R-2 District. The Wymore City Council is considering a proposal to modify zoning regulations to allow for a group home.The petition is spearheaded by four individuals, including Pamela Spier-Edmond, who sent FJN a statement on Monday, “While we fully support providing services to youth in need, we believe this proposal poses significant risks that cannot be ignored. Our concerns are shared by hundreds of residents, including educators, former foster care and behavioral-health workers, parents, and students.”That same day, Shawna Argo, Rescue Chief for Wymore Emergency Medical Services and Wymore Fire Chief Mark Meints, issued a statement, “Recently, our department names have been referenced in discussions and agendas opposing the group home. While we understand that community members may have strong feelings on both sides of this issue, including our department in advocacy efforts places us in a position of taking sides—something we cannot do. Neutrality is not only important to maintaining public trust, but essential to ensuring that we can provide fair, unbiased, and professional emergency services to everyone who may need us.” According to an email from the petitioners, “So far, we have 320 signatures and will be continuing the petition signing until the Wymore City Council Meeting starts at 7 p.m. this Wednesday, November 19th!”Dr. Makgabenyana has pushed back on suggestions that the girls would somehow be a threat to the community. At a meeting of the City Council on November 5, she said, “It's been made very clear that we are looking at girls that are going to work. They won’t be anybody that's out there on probation. They may have that struggle, but are showing the intention of wanting to work on their issues, and the program can push them to get somewhere.”The Hope-Wymore building has sat empty since the facility closed a year ago.

SNC All Conference Selections Made

New Head Start Facility Opens In Wymore

Related Articles

High Winds Fuel Multiple Wild Fires in SE Nebraska

Sen. Ricketts Makes the Case for War

City Offices Closed During Move

A Broken Wire Over Railroad Tracks Leaves City in the Dark