Neighbor of Beech Bend Raceway Park files a lawsuit to shut park down

Wow, this guy sounds like one of those typical grumpy old men with no life and a bitter heart. It sounds entirely personal between him and the park owner.

I don't think he has a case. There's some question as to whether or not the interruption of business over the years would cause the park to no longer be grandfathered by previous zoning, but even then, who cares. The planning commission can grant a variance at its discretion. Then who will he sue? There's no good reason, no legal reason, that the commission can't or shouldn't grant the variance.

Exactly...grumpy old man. Like the one that would fire warning shots over our heads when we fished in his pond as kids. This park has been open for over a century but only starting now it shouldn't be there? This guy moved in to the house a few years ago knowing the amusement park and a strip that hosts crowded NHRA events were nearby. Sounds like the park has everyone else on their side though.

Wonder when the amusement park was closed? RCDB doesn't mention it. :)

I wonder how much he wants to shut up?

This fight has been going on and on for years now. It all started over the road that leads to the raceway. Baker claims it's a private road and Jones claims it's a county road. This debate has been in and out of court for a VERY long time. One judge will rule in favor of Jones, then Baker will appeal it and then Baker will win then Jones will appeal, then he'll win. It's been a story on the local news so many times, we're all pretty bored with it. But now this (the zoning issue) is a totally different can of worms that's been opened up for whatever reason. I think that Baker just likes to be in a court room for some odd reason.

Move in only a few years ago right next to the park and then start *****ing that it shouldnt be an amusement park.'

The article did state that he was a former attorney for the park so this is definitely personal.

Beech Bend will win this no doubt.

Actually, the Beech Bend closure came up in the Roller Coaster Rollback to your right on the homepage recently. It said the park closed in the 80's.

I could see where the access roads could be a point of contention. They are extremely narrow (picture roads like you would see at a farm-trees to separate both sides, no shoulder), and judging by the amount of traffic we saw coming out of a classic car show on a Friday evening, June 16th, we sure were glad we were traveling into the park and not out of it.

They should just say the rides grow on trees. ;)

They are Growing their customer base to Feed the local economy.

I can't say much of anything else that hasn't already been said, such as this guy must just be a bitter old man with no life and just wants some attention.

Just curious though, paging thrugh Negative G I remembered a picture of the park drive.

http://www.negative-g.com/BeechBend/2004/BB-6-18-04-Road.jpg

Is that the road in question?

^No, the road in question is the one that keeps going straight, after you make the right turn to get onto the road in the pic you posted.

The road that keeps going straight has a hand written sign that says something about it being closed 750 feet ahead. Baker is the one who posted that sign.

Rides grow on trees? Yes, Kentucky Rumbler is one that did. Thank goodness the park has a wooden coaster!