Short Gap, West Virginia is a small town and like most towns in West Virginia it is also being impacted by the drug epidemic that has hit the state and country. No one seems to know the right answer or how to fix this problem. Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church’s board has voted to open a recovery center within the church walls. It will be a foundation honoring the memory of a man who died of an overdose. “It would require us to open our church for “office hours” for the recovery center – three hours a day, three days a week. It would require us to allow Narcotics Anonymous to meet weekly at the church.” (Scott Knowlton, Preacher).
Wesley Chapel Church is in the middle of a quiet neighborhood, there is a child care center within sight of the church, the church is within walking distance of Frankfort High School, and Frankfort Middle School, as well as many families, and children living nearby. The church has its own playground, basketball hoop, and pavilion for the community to use. Is this really the best location for a recovery center? Next to a playground? In the middle of a neighborhood? Do you really want your children playing in a playground where drug paraphernalia will become common, because realize this is a "on the front end and the back end,"(Richard Lechliter). This means people coming into the neighborhood and community will be ACTIVE addicts. This also includes all types of addiction, "They really cover everything. It's not just drugs and alcohol. It could potentially be pornography, it could be anything a person is addicted to." (Lechliter) PORNOGRAPHY!? Inviting these people to where children regularly play, really?!
This petition is asking the church to reconsider having the recovery center at the church. A potential alternative meeting location could be a fire hall or any other plaza. It is not believed that the true opinions of the church people or neighborhood are being heard and the majority of the church people are not for this recovery center being located at the church. If you sign this petition you are also encouraged to call Mr. Michael Estep and Mr. Scott Knowlton and tell them no to the recovery center. Thank you in advance for your signature and phone calls!
Michael Estep E 97 Goldsborough Avenue Romney, WV 26757 Home: 304-677-5198 Cell: 304-822-4191 [email protected],
Scott Knowlton 128 Wesley Chapel Drive Ridgeley, WV 26753 Home: 304-726-4350 Church: 304-726-7215 Cell:412-996-4434 [email protected]
Updates
September 23, 2017
The feedback from neighbors is pouring in and the safety concerns are real. We are looking into the zoning rules for our town next.
20 Comments
My 3 year old grandson attends the daycare that is in close proximity to the church. My concern is for him and the other small children while playing outside while meetings are conducted.
This is my daycare where my children are used to running and playing in my yard. Once the meetings begin they will no longer be able to have that pleasure. I strive to keep the children safe and knowing that Active Addicts of all addictions are going to be able to start meeting at the church is beyond belief. We need to understand as a community that meetings held at the church will impact our lives. The meetings will bring in addicts from all over....do we want this. NO!!!!! .. I understand we need to help these individuals but not where my daycare is exposed and not where our children attend school. FIND ANOTHER LOCATION .....
Our area NEEDS this, BUT not beside a playground, daycare, and 2 schools. Please pick a different location!
I understand wanting to help someone. We are 15 min from Cumberland which already has help for addicts who want the help. It's not within walking distance of a great number of people who would want help and if they really want help they will make the 15 min drive to town anyway. Drugs will flow through more and who knows what may be left behind eventually by these addicts. The church is used by Boy Scouts and many other children's groups and to associate them with this center isn't a good idea. Add the funds to a Cumberland center already in place..
Faith based recovery and support is a tremendous beginning to address the needs of the current addiction problem. However, the location of this program is a huge concern. A second location for Potomac Highlands Guild services the the Frankfort district would be an asset for many families and children who do not have transportation to Keyser. Locating a mental health agency center in a neutral site could have huge positive impact within the community.
I do not think this is a good idea whatsoever
I'm all for helping others, but when it comes down to people taking advantage of the help they will end up getting better "hook ups" instead of the help. I believe in helping all addictions but not close to a daycare or schools in the area. There is a better location where kids are further away from the negativity than closer to these things. I dont know what these people will leave behind but I rather not have to worry about stepping on something or find something I wouldn't want to find or see. This is just not the right area at all...
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Short Gap, West Virginia is a small town and like most towns in West Virginia it is also being impacted by the drug epidemic that has hit the state and country. No one seems to know the right answer or how to fix this problem. Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church’s board has voted to open a recovery center within the church walls. It will be a foundation honoring the memory of a man who died of an overdose. “It would require us to open our church for “office hours” for the recovery center – three hours a day, three days a week. It would require us to allow Narcotics Anonymous to meet weekly at the church.” (Scott Knowlton, Preacher).
Wesley Chapel Church is in the middle of a quiet neighborhood, there is a child care center within sight of the church, the church is within walking distance of Frankfort High School, and Frankfort Middle School, as well as many families, and children living nearby. The church has its own playground, basketball hoop, and pavilion for the community to use. Is this really the best location for a recovery center? Next to a playground? In the middle of a neighborhood? Do you really want your children playing in a playground where drug paraphernalia will become common, because realize this is a "on the front end and the back end,"(Richard Lechliter). This means people coming into the neighborhood and community will be ACTIVE addicts. This also includes all types of addiction, "They really cover everything. It's not just drugs and alcohol. It could potentially be pornography, it could be anything a person is addicted to." (Lechliter) PORNOGRAPHY!? Inviting these people to where children regularly play, really?!
This petition is asking the church to reconsider having the recovery center at the church. A potential alternative meeting location could be a fire hall or any other plaza. It is not believed that the true opinions of the church people or neighborhood are being heard and the majority of the church people are not for this recovery center being located at the church. If you sign this petition you are also encouraged to call Mr. Michael Estep and Mr. Scott Knowlton and tell them no to the recovery center. Thank you in advance for your signature and phone calls!
Michael Estep E 97 Goldsborough Avenue Romney, WV 26757 Home: 304-677-5198 Cell: 304-822-4191 [email protected],
Scott Knowlton 128 Wesley Chapel Drive Ridgeley, WV 26753 Home: 304-726-4350 Church: 304-726-7215 Cell:412-996-4434 [email protected]
Updates
September 23, 2017
The feedback from neighbors is pouring in and the safety concerns are real. We are looking into the zoning rules for our town next.
20 Comments
I completely understand the need for facilities to help addicts. HOWEVER, having a facility near a daycare, middle and high schools exposes the children/teens to all of the behaviors and consequences associated with addictions. Above all, it is an adult’s/community’s responsibility to protect the innocence of all children first! It is imperative that a new location be found for the meetings.
My 3 year old grandson attends the daycare that is in close proximity to the church. My concern is for him and the other small children while playing outside while meetings are conducted.
This is my daycare where my children are used to running and playing in my yard. Once the meetings begin they will no longer be able to have that pleasure. I strive to keep the children safe and knowing that Active Addicts of all addictions are going to be able to start meeting at the church is beyond belief. We need to understand as a community that meetings held at the church will impact our lives. The meetings will bring in addicts from all over....do we want this. NO!!!!! .. I understand we need to help these individuals but not where my daycare is exposed and not where our children attend school. FIND ANOTHER LOCATION .....
Our area NEEDS this, BUT not beside a playground, daycare, and 2 schools. Please pick a different location!
I understand wanting to help someone. We are 15 min from Cumberland which already has help for addicts who want the help. It's not within walking distance of a great number of people who would want help and if they really want help they will make the 15 min drive to town anyway. Drugs will flow through more and who knows what may be left behind eventually by these addicts. The church is used by Boy Scouts and many other children's groups and to associate them with this center isn't a good idea. Add the funds to a Cumberland center already in place..
Faith based recovery and support is a tremendous beginning to address the needs of the current addiction problem. However, the location of this program is a huge concern. A second location for Potomac Highlands Guild services the the Frankfort district would be an asset for many families and children who do not have transportation to Keyser. Locating a mental health agency center in a neutral site could have huge positive impact within the community.
I do not think this is a good idea whatsoever
I'm all for helping others, but when it comes down to people taking advantage of the help they will end up getting better "hook ups" instead of the help. I believe in helping all addictions but not close to a daycare or schools in the area. There is a better location where kids are further away from the negativity than closer to these things. I dont know what these people will leave behind but I rather not have to worry about stepping on something or find something I wouldn't want to find or see. This is just not the right area at all...
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I completely understand the need for facilities to help addicts. HOWEVER, having a facility near a daycare, middle and high schools exposes the children/teens to all of the behaviors and consequences associated with addictions. Above all, it is an adult’s/community’s responsibility to protect the innocence of all children first! It is imperative that a new location be found for the meetings.