|
Updated: 11:12 AM Jan 4, 2009
Residents want church to take down sign
COOKE COUNTY, TX -- There is some controversy brewing in a small Cooke County Community, and it centers around a local church. A group of residents say that the Mount Pleasant Baptist has overstepped it’s bounds with its newest addition. Josh Stevenson has the story. Posted: 11:15 PM Jan 3, 2009Reporter: Josh Stevenson Email Address: josh.stevenson@kxii.com, |
|
COOKE COUNTY, TX -- There is some controversy brewing in a small Cooke County Community, and it centers around a local church. A group of residents say that the Mount Pleasant Baptist has overstepped it’s bounds with its newest addition.
In mid October the folks at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church put up a sign, that they hoped would point the way to brighter future. Instead, the new structure has marked trouble for a small Cooke County community.
"It’s just a small rural community," said Pastor David Hartwig of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.
"The beauty of it, sunsets and sunrises," said Carolyn McAdams, a concerned resident.
The small unincorporated community of mountain springs is beetween Spring Valley and Tioga and sits right on the northern shore of Lake Ray Roberts. The Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has been staple of that community for a long time.
"This church has been here for 105 years," said Pastor Hartwig.
After more than a century church members decided it was time to get a new sign.
"The sign went up in mid October, we had prayed about it and saved up our money for about a year before putting it up," said Pastor Hartwig.
That was news to neighbor Carolyn McAdams who moved into her 107 year old home 12 years ago. She says her first clue that a new sign was up was when the light from the marquee hit her living room
“My initial reaction was oh my God I cant believe they put this big giant sign up here," said McAdams.
From there she did a little research, and it paid off.
"That’s when I found out the sign was double the legal size," said McAdams
The Lake Ray Roberts Planning and Zoning Commission regulates signs and buildings in areas around the lake.
"We did not know of the ordinance, we did not know we were in violation of the ordinance," said Pastor Hartwig.
Besides being out of compliance for being too big, regulations also state that a sign must be externally lit, this one is internally lit. The church was cited and made to turn out the lights.
"It was at that point that we knew we might have a problem," said Pastor Hartwig.
Mount Pleasant Baptist has filed an application for a variance that will let them keep the sign and turn the lights back on, but Mcadams says she is worried about what will happen to her view in the future.
"I don’t want this to set a precedent for every other sign that comes along,” said McAdams.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a hearing on January 6th, at the Mountain Springs Community Center, where officials will decide whether or not to grant the church's request.
If denied, the church can appeal that decision at the Cooke County Commissioners' Court.
| AP Video on KXII |
|
|
| In The Community | |
|
Tickets on sale for Denison playoff game
Last Updated: 4:41 PM 11/17/09 - Tickets to the Denison Yellow Jacket Area State Playoff game against Dallas Conrad go on sale Tuesday morning at the Denison ISD Administration Building, the Denison High School Athletic Office, and Parks Drugs at 1926 W. Morton Street. (Full Story) |
|
|
Turkey Give-a-way
Last Updated: 7:47 AM 11/17/09 - Always Better Care is sponsoring their second annual Turkey Give-a-way. They want to provide an extra special gift for needy families this year. (Full Story) |
|
|
Legends of Bluegrass Concert
Last Updated: 7:21 AM 11/13/09 - It is time for the Legends of Bluegrass Concert at the Choctaw Event Center. Its coming up Saturday November 14th. The Doors open at 6:00pm. (Full Story) |
|
|
Fannin County Walk and Roll
Last Updated: 7:18 AM 11/12/09 - If you want to get some good exercise and support a good cause at the same time, Northeast Medical home Home Health is calling on you. (Full Story) |
|
Veterans honored across Texoma
Last Updated: 7:20 PM 11/11/09 - The outpouring on Wednesday at Veterans Day ceremonies across Texoma was both moving and powerful. Across the area local veterans received many thanks and words of gratitude for their service. (Full Story) |
|
| More Headlines | |
| Most Discussed Stories |
| Protesters surround Kingston gentleman’s club opening 145 Comments |
| Woman, 60, bags giant buck in Grayson Co. 97 Comments |
| Woman accused of drugging, raping teen boys in Carter Co. 75 Comments |
| Woman arrested for public intoxication in Durant 72 Comments |
| Lone Grove teacher arrested accused of lewd acts with a child 61 Comments |
| Defendant found not guilty in Ardmore animal cruelty trial 55 Comments |




