I read in the Comet last week that down the road apiece I've got a commercial hunting operation for a new neighbor.

Well new neighbors are always news, but new neighbors all armed with guns - well that's really big news!

Now it's one thing to have folks you know hunting in the woods nearby. That has been the norm for decades around these parts. But a commercial operation, that wouldn't be folks we know, would it? That wouldn't be the norm. So I've got some questions.

And so, I'm following the tradition in the corporate world of gathering information assembled in decision making. I'm reaching out to our local government officials for more information concerning this rather astounding development.

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) granted a special exception to Camp Kay Outfitters allowing a commercial operation in an agricultural district spanning land in Deer Creek, Rock Creek and Adams townships. The exception was granted despite opposition by the Adams Township Trustee, the Adams Township Advisory Board and 36 signers on a petition protesting the exception.

Camp Kay Outfitters leases the Carroll County land from MKR Farms, L.P. of Logansport. The land in question constitutes 42 parcels spanning approximately 2,100 acres. That's a lot of land. That's a lot of zoning exception.

Lest you think I am squeamish over this development in my neighborhood, well even the folks running the operation have taken certain legal precautions.

According to Camp Kay Outfitters website, the very first thing a hunter does upon arrival at Camp Kay is sign a liability release form. The release starts out like this:

"I acknowledge that hunting has inherent risks, hazards and dangers for anyone, which cannot be eliminated, particularly in a wilderness environment."

The signer goes on to "RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, Camp Kay Outfitters, MKR Farms, LP, Milton Cole, Mark Leibner, their directors, members... The release mentions "damage, loss, injury, paralysis, or death" three times. It's kind of sobering, really.

I'm sure the BZA gave this matter the serious deliberation it warrants. I'm assuming they reached out, just like I am here, to get the pertinent facts.

So, I'm reaching out to understand the ramifications to the public of this exception being granted and to understand how the various local governmental agencies and departments weighed in on the consideration given this extraordinary and unusual land use exception. Pluses to the public:

To the Assessor: now that this land is more valuable, will it be reassessed? What is the likely increased tax revenue to the county? Will the reassessment be retroactive to when the activity commenced?

To the Auditor: Will Camp Kay Outfitters' income earned in Carroll be subject to COIT and EDIT? Any projections?

To the Economic Development Director: What was the projected revenue and business that this commercial enterprise will bring to the county? Concerns to the public:

To the Surveyor: What will be required so that the land boundaries are marked and maintained? Who is responsible and who checks? What happens if boundaries are not marked and maintained?

To the County Sheriff and the County Attorney: What was your take, what was your recommendation on this land use exception? Are there questions to grapple with here? To the Emergency Medical Services Director: With the Yeoman ambulance gone, who will service this area if there is a mishap? What's the average response time to get north of the Wabash?

To the Commissioners: How does this exception fit into the comprehensive land use plan for the county? Was IDNR consulted for their recommendation?

I suppose that all these questions are redundant, that they've been asked and answered for BZA already. But I'll come around anyway, and collect up the answers - just in case, and share them here for our readers.

Meanwhile, if I drop in on the new neighbors, what's proper to bring for a land-warming gift?

A salt lick?