Neighbors flood meeting to speak against drug rehab house
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POCATELLO — Bannock County has tabled its decision on permitting Dustin and Chad Morden to turn a Pocatello home into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation home.
The public hearing for the Morden’s drug and alcohol recovery home application was supposed to be in a hearing room on the second floor of the Bannock County Courthouse.
The maximum occupancy of the room is 75, but KPVI reports there was a slight problem.
“We need to do a count to make sure we’re not exceeding that amount. If we are, we can’t have the hearing because everyone has the right to be present to hear all comment,” said a county employee.
There were 81 people in the room, and about a half an hour later, the meeting began in a courtroom a floor above.
Organizers of the project, Chad and Dustin Morden, gave their presentation stating why this rehabilitation home at 5230 West Moonlight Mine Road in Pocatello is a good idea.
When the time came for public testimonies, only two stood with them. One of whom is the current property owner, Rod Eggelston, who has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years.
“I’ve been accused of turning my back and walking away from that neighborhood…I would not do that for financial gain,” said Eggelston.
Then came testimony, after testimony, after testimony against the proposal, hitting on topics like safety, transportation, parking, accessibility and response times for emergency services.
County Commissioners did not make a decision on the house. The date of the next meeting will be posted on the Bannock County website.
This story first appeared on KPVI. It is posted here with permission.