Residential lot should not be re-zoned
HEATHER BECK Rusk

I am writing in response to the article about the oil company that is wanting to move inside the city limits. I am a Texas transplant. I got a job teaching here in Rusk five years ago, and after spending some time here, decided that Rusk would be a nice place to live.

The main reason I am writing is because my house is next door to the lot that is being considered for re-zoning. I have lived in this house for 3 ½ years. What attracted my husband and me to this neighborhood were the older homes, and how quiet and peaceful the street is. I love looking across my front yard and seeing the beautiful, historical Gregg home. I love that I can take my dog for a walk down the quiet street to the footbridge park, and soak in the calm, beautiful neighborhood.

I think it is totally appalling that anyone would want to disturb what the Rusk Chamber of Commerce's own website calls, "the unspoiled landscape and relaxed pace … respite from life's stresses."

True, moving this business into city limits will bring in a little more revenue, but is tax revenue more important than the people who chose to live here?

I believe residential areas are zoned as residential for a reason. People should be able to find peace and be able to relax at home. Your home should be your haven, your place to get away from everyday stresses. So why is it that lately being home stresses me out? Because I am scared to death that my home, my haven, my getaway is about to be destroyed by greed and selfishness. The article in the paper talked about how this oil company would build a fence and plant shrubs. I don't care how many shrubs are planted…there is no way those trucks will be completely concealed.

Not being an "eyesore" was mentioned, but I don't think it fully addressed the entire situation. Are there going to be lights all over that lot? My house is a two-story home. Will it ever be dark again at night, or will I be blinded by intrusive lights?

What about the noise? Nothing in the article mentioned when these trucks will pull in and out. Constant noise is not something I wanted in my residential neighborhood.

What about the smell - diesel and truck exhaust.

Something was also mentioned about these oil people wanting to be a "good neighbor." A good neighbor would not park oil trucks in their front yard. A good neighbor would not stink up the neighborhood or make a peaceful street noisy. A good neighbor would respect the others' right to privacy and not disrupt the entire neighborhood.

I ask again … is tax revenue more important than the people of Rusk? Is the city that unconcerned for their citizens? Think. Put yourself in my shoes. Would you want to live next door to this? I know I don't.