Bike path bullying

Gib Reese stands as a giant among benefactors to Newark and Licking County. I've said that publicly many times and for many years. But there are lines at which being a benefactor and being a bully are dangerously close, and Gib and his daughter Sarah have come to that point.

As I wrote here 12/29/07 (Property rights are at stake in Foundation squabble over bike path) "There is no better gift to Newark and Licking County than the extensive set of bike trails built by the Evans Foundation and its leader, Gib Reese. ... But I am bothered by the attitude Gib is projecting in the press toward those who own property over which he wants to build the next link. ... (and) the fact is, he is not winning any friends by trying to trample the rights of property owners, if that's what's going on here."

The latest move by the Foundation - as reported by The Advocate was to head on out to property where they want to put that trail and start preparing for construction. A sheriff's deputy was called to end the resulting confrontation.

That confrontation has scarred the Evans Foundation's record of gentlemanly, fair behavior, and a lot of folks are starting to draw a bead on Gib and Sarah, as evidenced in the Advocate readers' comments about this affair. They are developing the mark of robber barons and that could be difficult to erase, even if they prove to be legally correct.

I love the bike trails and I value them as a citizen who is proud of this community. But I can't stand to see common people getting shoved around by the rich and powerful, no matter what the purpose. If there were ever a hint at that, it would be in the guest column written in the Advocate by Sarah Wallace - Evans Foundation can and should convert former rail to path use

We don't need Sarah's interpretation of the law; we need the interpretation by a judge.

Sarah and Gib are projecting the attitude of bullies, whether they think of it that way or not. Their long-term consideration in this matter should the little people like me who hate seeing little people get shoved around, though it may be too late.