|
|
Published February 06, 2008 05:29 pm - Two members of a Joplin family have filed a lawsuit against the City Council and a local mortuary, asking a judge to void the city’s action approving a permit that allows the mortuary to operate a crematorium.
Family sues city over crematory OK w/ copy of G.W. and Ryan Jackson v. City of Joplin
By Debby Woodin
dwoodin@joplinglobe.com
Two members of a Joplin family have filed a lawsuit against the City Council and a local mortuary, asking a judge to void the city’s action approving a permit that allows the mortuary to operate a crematorium.
The lawsuit was filed in Jasper County Circuit Court by G.W. Jackson, 1710 S. Joplin Ave., and his son, Ryan Jackson, 1729 S. Wall Ave. It names Mayor Jon Tupper, all City Council members and Huddleston Mortuary Inc., doing business as Parker Mortuary, 1502 S. Joplin Ave.
In the petition, the Jacksons allege that the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, and the council failed to follow zoning regulations in granting the permit, and that they wrongfully tossed out petitions of protest filed by residents objecting to the operation of the crematory in a neighborhood the Jackson’s contend is otherwise zoned for residential use.
The Jacksons did not return a telephone message seeking comment that was left at the office of their business, Railroad Salvage and Restoration, 1715 S. Joplin Ave.
Tom Keckley, an owner of Parker Mortuary, said, “I’m growing weary of the issue, and I really have no comment.”
The mayor said he would not comment on the lawsuit and referred questions to the city attorney.
City Attorney Brian Head said: “We have received it, and we have done a preliminary review of it. It appears to me to be procedural items that they are complaining about. The city believes the lawsuit is without merit, and the city will defend itself vigorously.”
The Jacksons hired the Danna McKitrick firm in St. Louis to file the lawsuit. The lawsuit lists four attorneys from the firm as representing the Jacksons.
The McKitrick firm is the same one that members of the Joplin Police and Firemen’s Pension Board recently hired to represent the board on the issue of underfunding of the pension fund.
The lawsuit also lists Bradley R. Barton, a lawyer with the local firm of Whitworth, McPherson and Longnecker, as local counsel on behalf of the Jacksons.
The Jacksons led a campaign against the crematory proposal that included buying newspaper and television advertising, and hiring or securing attorneys and environmental consultants to help present their arguments against the operation.
The Jacksons contended before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council, and now in the lawsuit, that the crematory operation would devalue property in the area.
The lawsuit lists 19 pieces of property owned by the Jacksons in the 1700 blocks of Joplin and Wall avenues, the 1500 block of Wall Avenue, the 1600 and 1800 blocks of Joplin Avenue, and the 200 block of 17th Street.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE
See all ads |
|
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
See all ads |
|
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|