Pocono News Section

An Open and Shut Case

An Open and Shut Case - Friday, April 18, 2008 at 4:58PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Apr 18, 2008 @ 04:58pm EST
MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP - A gate at the back entrance of the Winona Lakes Community in Middle Smithfield Township hangs open. Someone cut the locks off of it. It could have been that person's way to resolve a growing dispute in the private Winona Lakes development.

"I believe that these roads need to be open," said Township Supervisor Chairman Scott Schaller.

Several years ago, a home owner put up the gates to keep people off of the road. That's illegal. But the community association supported him. Neighbors disagreed and brought their argument to court.

Now the township supervisors are involved. They joined the court action. "A road is for cars and for bikes and for people -- and they don't want the traffic going past their houses." said Schaller.

The township is focused on opening illegally blocked roads because of an incident back in March. Rescue crews had to take a detour to save people who fell into an icy pond because residents blocked the short path with a gravel heap.

"Again playing games - playing with people's lives because those roads were approved - they were designed - they were engineered to be for those lots that are on that road," complained Schaller.

The community association would not comment on the matter because it is still being worked out in court. Several residents who spoke with WBRE off camera said they want the gate to remain open - but they didn't want to go on camera because they might face retaliation.

For now the gate is open and so is the argument on what to do with it in the future.

Schaller said, "We just want to have a township that has a good infrastructure - where everybody's safe. These roads need to remain open."