Below is the e-mailed letter of resignation submitted yesterday (Tuesday, March 18) by Monroe County Planning & Zoning Board chairman Richard “Red” Ezelle to Monroe County Community Development Director Kelsey Fortner:
Good Evening Kelsey,
I want to start off by saying that the last 7 years working along beside you has been exciting. I have learned what it takes to run Monroe County from the Planning & Zoning to the Board of Commissioners and all that in between. It truly takes a village to make that happen and somehow, its being done by far less than that. The work you have done pretty much all alone in the P&Z Dept. (other than the help from the P&Z Board and Ariyl lately) has pretty much been nothing short of amazing.
With all that being said, I think it is time for me to move on. Effective immediately, I am resigning from the Planning & Zoning Board and all activities that goes along with my position. It has been a great 7 years, but I think it’s time for someone else to learn more about our county. Lately I have felt like a lot of our work has been kind of in vain and it pretty much started with that mess up on Johnstonville Road. I honestly don’t know how we all haven’t lost our minds having to deal with that situation for so long. But when the public starts getting behind the people involved saying the county is bullying them, I think that is where I just think I have had enough. We have only asked them to become compliant and follow a few rules but somehow or another, we are in the wrong. The worst part of it all is that I feel our Judicial system has failed us during this time. I don’t think the county has been supported by it, but most of all, when the system starts telling the county what it will do going forward, then I know I do not need to be a part of that problem. Right now, I feel like (John) Ambrose about throwing out the UDO and just going back to the Zoning codes we had before. Better yet just throw it all out and as long as you buy your permit, build whatever you want to as long as it passes an inspection. We worked on the UDO for 2 plus years and all it seems to have done is cause trouble if you ask the residents of the county. Is it perfect, no, but it was meant to put in place a means of growth and structure for the county and to be able be to change it and improve on it with the help of others and time. But has that happened? Somewhat but when you can’t get the Judicial system to back you, then why fight to move forward with growth within our county. Also, I sat there on the board for 7 years defending our County, the UDO, and the County Employees/Commissioners, only to be verbally assaulted in the parking lot by people who say they are your friends or have coached your kids in the past. This should never happen to anyone who works to try to make their own County better.
I would like to thank you for all your hard work and dedication, I know it goes unappreciated by some but there are those of us who think you are doing a great job. I have enjoyed working alongside of you and the other Board members, trying to improve our county. I also would like to thank all the P&Z Board members Past and Present for all their support and help over the years. Thank you again for all you have helped me with and for your knowledge and support over the last 7 years.
Respectfully submitted this day, March 18th, 2025.
Thanks,
Richard Ezelle
