Homeowners should check zoning

To the editor,



Home owners in the city limits of Tuttle, check the status of the zoning of your property. The Timbercreek Addition, a residential area, was zoned non conforming A-1. Why it was never grand-fathered in as R-1A in the past, we, the residents of Timbercreek, do not know. 

A city council meeting was held Sept. 14, 2009. On the agenda were several items concerning a lot split and the new zoning for C-2 of a property in our addition. We have attended several meetings on this matter. The majority of the home owners are opposed to this, as was presented via a petition. 

Yes, there has always been some form of commercial business on highway 37, and some of it was present when this addition was developed. Our covenant protected us from any lot splits or commercial development in this addition.  The covenant expired and we were lax about getting it put back into effect.  Our ignorance gave us a false sense of security. After all, we were in the city limits and we would be protected from anything going in, we were in the majority. 

A long discussion was held at the meeting regarding these matters. We were allowed to speak at a previous meeting, but the council decided we had our say, so we were NOT allowed to address our concerns in a formal manner at this meeting.

The major concern seemed to be for the person operating his business on the property on the agenda. Yes, all citizens should have rights, I feel my rights, our rights, were trampled on. We had no personal vendetta against this person. I would have objected to anyone in my neighborhood changing the rules in Timbercreek. The city feels another person is operating a business here. I have no knowledge of this. I only care about facts and not speculation. 

Our family has resided in Tuttle for 37 years. We have spent every tax dollar we could in this community. We have made purchases of appliances, clothing, furniture, auto parts, lumber, medical items, carpet, lawn mowers, and groceries. Some of these merchants no longer exist here, but when they were here, they were located in commercial districts, not neighborhoods. We have supported our local merchants and our tax dollars of 37 years have helped support the city budget. I guess that does not count for very much. 

An article in your paper concerning the recent annexation of properties stated the city would not pursue the annexation because the majority of residents in the affected area did not want it. I guess they had more rights than the majority of the residents in our addition. 

There is much more to this story. Now it looks like we are headed for p.d. zoning. It sure looks like spot zoning to me. A rose called by any other name is still a rose, and a neighborhood is likewise, no matter what zoning you put on it. The developers of this area intended it to be just that and the residents who bought here desire it to remain so.



Mary A. Boren





Masonic Lodge nears anniversary

To the Editor,



The Tuttle Masonic Lodge #405 is rapidly approaching its 100th year of Masonry. We would like to thank Tuttle for having us here to help in the community's growth. We will endeavor to give you some past history and information regarding the Masonic Lodge and what it means to Masons and some people who have been involved with Masonry. 

We chartered on the 10 of February, 1910 and have been in attendance ever since. Yes, we meet in an old building and hope someday to be in a new building and share in the growth of a wonderful community. 

We have been called many things and appreciate any recognition. This means you know we are here. Now we would like to inform you of some of the activities of the Lodge since Masonry's conception. We have had many Presidents, Generals, States Persons, Business Executives, Mayors, Sheriff's, Marshals, and just plain husbands to share in our growth. These persons have served their local lodges and communities with great pride. There are many hours spent behind the scenes to see that children have glasses, are tested for glasses, have had countless children who are walking, talking, hearing, reading and learning because a Mason had concern for their well-being. 

Yes, we are proud. Proud of those we have helped and proud of those who have helped us.

Without community support, our projects would not have been successful. 

We will welcome all citizens to join us in our celebration and to share in our joy of having helped some one to have a better life. We like to think that Masonry takes a young man by the hand and endeavors to make him a better man.





Richard W. Ehlers, Past Master, Past Grand Chaplain, Present Chaplain

Tuttle #405 and Moore #539