What is a conscientious Delphi taxpayer to do?

The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals special exception hearing is designed to be the time for any interested party to hear about a proposed building project and to conceivably offer input about it. Using prescribed criteria, board members determine whether or not the use of the project will be allowed in an area not zoned for that use. That's the definition of a "special exception." It is an exception to the zoning ordinance.

Delphi residents will have an opportunity to attend a special exception hearing about a proposed social services complex project on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Emotions seem to be running high about the location of the construction site. The controversy centers on the "where" rather than the "what" of the project.

On the same night at the same time, Delphi residents also have an opportunity to attend a mayoral candidate debate forum.

It is unfortunate for the voters and the taxpayers of Delphi that they have been put in the unenviable position of choosing which meeting to attend. What happens at the BZAmeeting could directly affect the next mayor. It seems like the mayor and his opponent would want to be present at the BZA meeting to hear what the residents think about this issue. It might come in handy in the future when similar situations present themselves.

Unfortunately for the citizens of Delphi, North Central Health Services declared that if they fail in their bid to receive approval of a special exception to the zoning ordinance at the Oct. 23 meeting, they would pull out of Carroll County altogether. That threat might affect the feelings of the residents. Perhaps the next mayor, whomever that might be, would want to know first-hand how all that is perceived.

Comet staff urged those in charge of the debate forum to change the date of the mayoral event, but that notion was rejected. Now citizens have to choose between two equally important events. The outcomes of those events will affect Delphi for years to come.