Concerns are being raised by Jefferson residents concerned by the development of the Multicultural Family Resource Center, an initiative being led by the Greene County Development Corporation. Citizens have been attending Jefferson City Council meetings and the Greene County Board of Supervisors to address their concerns and to get questions answered. Margret Saddoris, one of the people voicing her concerns at these meetings, says she and the others feel as though their concerns are falling on deaf ears.
Saddoris says it’s not just the Multicultural Family Resource Center that is raising concerns.
Saddoris says with a population of 4,100 and only 65 job postings, this seems like a disproportionate response and that GCDC’s goals for housing have overshadowed the need for jobs in the community.
The Wild Rose Casino and Hotel and Home State Bank have been the resource center’s biggest supporters, pledging $15,000 to the organization. Saddoris says this push comes from the Community Reinvestment Act.
Saddoris and other concerned residents of Jefferson have received backlash from voicing their objections. Saddoris says at the last city council meeting, the mayor told one person to quit “barking” at a representative from GCDC when asking a question and gave a reply of “is it left?” when Saddoris asked if it was right.
The KCG Project will be on the agenda at the Jefferson City Council meeting on Feb. 13. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of city hall.
