Home for abused girls rebuffed by commission

Thu, 10/23/2008 - 3:05pm
By: Ben Nelms

Neighbors cited the need for a home for for abused and mistreated girls, but in the end, Coweta County commissioners Oct. 21 sided with several Roscoe residents in denying a request by Edify Teens Ministries for a six-person group home for girls on the five-acre property owned by Elise and Oliver Dunn. The Board of Zoning Appeals had previously recommended denial of the conditional use permit request.

Roscoe resident Linda Hanson and ministry co-director Elise Dunn were the only two speakers at the commission meeting. Dunn told commissioners her five-acre property would provide an appropriate place for girls age 8-14 from abusive and broken homes to have a home of their own.

“These are not problem girls. They are trying to get away from trouble,” Dunn said. “We need to help our girls instead of them having to go outside the county for help.”

In opposing the conditional use request, Hanson said plans to help needy girls were admirable but added that they stood in opposition to area covenants.

“YDC (Youth Detention Center) kids go to those homes. Law enforcement goes to those homes. Girls with that past attract boys with that past,” she said.

Commissioners voted unanimously without comment to deny the conditional use request.

The Board of Zoning Appeals had previously recommended denial. Dunn stated then that the property had been used for the past five years as a girls’ retreat prior to the school opening, but now wanted to provide continuous home care for six girls. Nearly a dozen area neighbors submitted letters stating their support for the concept but opposing its location in the area.

Coweta Planning Department also recommended denial, saying an approval would require unfunded juvenile services through school and home complaints and noting that, as a group home, the dwelling would not meet the criteria of a single-family unit and would change the use of the property to an institutional nature.

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Submitted by elsiedunn on Tue, 11/11/2008 - 3:17am.

Mr.and Mrs.Dunn ever had a contract sign with any one we have records that we sold the Wing restaurant 7 months ago yes Mrs. Dunn talk to a young man about a logo but not for herself it was for a football player who was interested in buying a Wing restaurant. The young man e-mail some example of logo's but the football player did'nt like them after two weeks later the young man email and said he was busy out of town Yes I have the email.We are people of character and integrity with a good heart " deceitful" is the one who started all this mess and have nothing else to do but sit at someone else job and write such letter and lie I know who you are back off satin you have no place here in the Name of Jesus.THIS TOO SHALL PASS! sorry for the misunderstanding but we don't owe you anything we lost out on a deal as well. your message and email was send to the football player. Our love and heart go out to the children to have a place call home that's what we praying for not a logo.Our church and friends know our heart what about your we are being honest what more you want us to do we have done you no wrong. God see the truth I pray that you for give us for the misunderstanding with a third party.

Submitted by elsiedunn on Tue, 11/11/2008 - 1:42am.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunn ever had a contract sign with any one we have records that we sold the Wing Restaurant 7 months ago yes Mrs. Dunn talk to a young man about a logo but not for her it was for a football player who was interested in buyer a Wing Restaurant. The young man e-mail over some example of Logo's but the football player did't like them after two weeks later the young man e-mail and said he was busy out of town Yes I have the e-mail. We are people of character and integrity with a good heart'" deceitful" is the one who sit at someone else job and write such letter and lie. THIS TOO SHALL PASS! Sorry for the misunderstanding but we did'nt owe you any thing we lost out on a deal as well. Our love and heart goes out to children to have a place call home that's what we are fighting for not a logo. Have a Bless Day! Mrs. R ?

Submitted by dawn05 on Tue, 11/11/2008 - 12:10am.

I attend the Dunn's church and know them to be pleasant and caring individuals. I can care less about unfinish business contracts that they have with you! Mrs. Elsie is trying to build a home for young girls in the community that need our help. Regardless of what you think, it's not about you and it's not about the Dunns; it's about the girls that need help!!!! The children are our future and God will bless those that are willing to help such a positive organization. For all of the positive supporters, think of the girls that need and would appreciate a loving, nurturing, and safe environment. Those girls are not problematic, society is!!! If some of those neighbors attend the retreats that Mrs. Dunn holds annually, they'll recognize the potential that the girls have and what they can become with a little attention and lot of love!

Submitted by design on Fri, 10/24/2008 - 4:33pm.

While, I believe it is more that admirable what Mrs. and Mr. Dunn are trying to achieve, I must also point out, that from personal experience, that they are untruthful and deceitful people. I was contracted by Mrs. Dunn over 5 months ago to design a logo for her wing restaurant and after several attempts through e-mail, telephone and mail, did not get paid, after being told she was sending the payment my way. Again, I am only commenting from personal experience, and in no way am saying that what they are trying to achieve with the home is not admirable. If anyone from the Dunn's church reads this, I believe that the honest and rightful action to take would be to encourage the Dunn's to settle their bill with me for honest hard work that was performed.

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