Noblesville, it’s time to write to Mayor Chris Jensen

The Noblesville Common Council votes on the gravel pit issue on June 28th. We hope they vote it down, but in case they approve the pit, Mayor Jensen’s signature will be the only thing standing in their way.

We must urge him to veto the proposal in case the council approves it.

Below is a letter template to help you get started… but a personal letter is always better than copy and paste. It could be as simple as a couple sentences urging him to veto the gravel pit because the health risks and the bad city precedent for the city’s future.

The Mayor’s Contact Info: cjensen@noblesville.in.us

Letter Template

Dear Mayor Jensen,

I’m a resident of Noblesville, and I appreciate your willingness to serve as a leader for the City of Noblesville. Today, I am writing to you to urge you to veto the petition for a gravel pit at Potter’s Bridge Park, should it come across your desk for your signature.

After listening to the proposal and the swell of public opposition against the gravel pit, the risk is clearly too great to the community and those residing in it, including residents and animals. Intera illustrated the community’s point about our county’s water– there is varying risk of contamination based on their predictive models. 

It’s pretty telling that the only local comment of support on June 14 at the Common Council meeting was from County Council Member Brad Beaver, a relative of Chris Beaver. To the county council, county commissioners, and county parks department, it sounds like the ends justify the means, no matter the cost. I hope the city government does not feel the same way.

Mr. Chris Beaver said it best himself at the end of the council meeting – when he first looked at the property, he “could not justify the amount of money that [he] would spend and pain that everybody would come across.” 

I understand development brings about needed change as our community grows. However, I am not interested in allowing industrial operations in a residential zone. I am interested in preserving and rehabilitating our existing park land as mentioned in a recent issue of The CURRENT – especially when the alternative comes at the cost of the health of the city’s residents. 

Beyond the risks associated with mining, the left-behind lake, by itself, still poses a risk of contaminating our county’s water for decades to come.

Who would pay if something goes wrong? The citizens of Noblesville – with our health and with our tax dollars as the currency.

Stopping this proposal is crucial to protecting the future of Noblesville. It should never become acceptable city policy to rezone a residential area, especially a dense and well-established one, for industrial use.

I do hope that the council represents the community’s opposition to the project on June 28th and rejects the proposal. But in case the council approves this petition, it will come down to you to represent us and protect our city. 

I ask that you stand up for our community and veto the gravel pit.

Thank you.