10/29/2025
It’s time to look past the slogans and see what’s really behind the “Save St. Albans Township” and “Vote No on the Merger” movement.
The loudest “Vote No” voices aren’t protecting the township — they’re protecting their own power and property interests. Many are long-time township insiders: current and former trustees, zoning chairs, and candidates for office. These are the same people who’ve controlled zoning for years — and now want to keep it that way as development pressure grows, with limited control mechanisms.
That includes longtime Trustee Randy Almendinger, a leading opponent of the merger; Tad Van Ness, a current candidate for township trustee; Bridgett Reeves, the fiscal officer; and Pam Hills, longtime zoning commission chair and current member. These aren’t outsiders worried about community values — they’re insiders with a stake in maintaining control.
After doing very little for nearly a decade, the zoning commission suddenly sprang into action after Intel’s announcement — rushing through an updated Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Map, and new zoning regulations (first adopted in March 2025, then revised again in August 2025).
Before those updates were finalized, the trustees passed a moratorium on new rezoning requests until the new regulations took effect. The vote was 2–1, with Almendinger casting the lone “no” vote.
And just before that moratorium hit, six rezoning applications were filed — all asking to convert farmland to commercial or manufacturing use:
• Kevin Reeves admitted his rezoning (north of Jug St. on 310) was “to position the property for future commercial growth.” He was approved.
• Tad Van Ness said St. Albans “needs more business and M&D base to raise more taxes.” His request was denied — until the trustees called an executive session with Van Ness and his attorney, after which they reversed themselves and approved it. It must have been damn important to get that parcel rezoned now to hire an attorney.
• Pam Hills and family submitted multiple rezoning requests, saying “it was the right time to rezone.” Convenient timing — just before the new, more restrictive regulations took effect.
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None of these applicants said they were ready to sell or develop. They simply wanted to get ahead of the new zoning rules — the same rules they helped write and promote as township officials and zoning insiders.
That’s not protecting the township — that’s protecting personal leverage.
Meanwhile, Lanndale Farms, whose denied rezoning request involved property at 310 and Jersey Mill, acted in good faith. Their land had been in the family and farmed for over 75 years, and due to health issues, the family could no longer maintain it as good stewards of the land. Lanndale Farms also owns a parcel of land on State Route 37 where a recent merger informational meeting was held. They have no interest in selling that land. What was sold from that original parcel went to Lynd Fruit Farm and remains in agriculture. Their decisions reflect responsible stewardship, not personal gain.
And now, to top it off — the Jersey Township Administrator, Rob Platte, has been attending our township and merger meetings and LCPC meeting, speaking out against Trustee Bruce Lane, the merger, and speaking in favor of the applications for rezoning. In 2023, his consulting business, RMP Development, LLC, had a one-year contract with the SW Licking Water and Sewer District, giving him a direct interest in sewer development in the area.
Why the opposition by Mr. Platte? Because Jersey Township is counting on sewer service from two proposed sites in St. Albans Township — one on Jersey Mill Rd (intended to serve interchange businesses) and another to serve warehouses and data centers in Jersey Township.
If the merger passes, those sewer projects could be stopped. And it’s not just about sewers — St. Albans’ water sources are also of interest to Jersey Township officials. There’s a reason they’ve suddenly taken such a strong stance against this merger.
As a merged township and village, Alexandria will finally have the tools to manage water, sewer, annexation, and development — together, with one voice. Right now, St. Albans Township officials have no control over decisions like the Licking Regional Water District’s purchase and use of property in our township. Why would we keep giving away that control?
With the merger comes more leadership and more accountability. The merged community will have six council members instead of three trustees. We’ve all seen how one wrong vote can change the course of township zoning — imagine the balance and representation that comes with a larger council.
And for those who claim the public informational meetings haven’t provided right information — why not hold your own meeting? If the “No” group feels something’s missing, they can bring it forward in their own public meeting. The Merger Commission, made up entirely of township residents and village residents, spent one and a half years studying every option and concluded that merging is the best path forward. Why would they mislead their own neighbors?
If you want St. Albans Township to look like Jersey Township, now and in the future — lined with water and sewer lines running everywhere, and high density housing, like that proposed on Locust Lane, next to property owned by Reeves — just listen to Rob Platte, longtime Trustee Randy Almendinger, Tad Van Ness, Bridgett Reeves, Pam Hills, trustee candidate, Mike Washington and the “Save the Township” group, and vote NO.
But if you want to protect our community’s future, transparency, and local control, vote YES on the merger — and vote for Bruce Lane for Trustee, the one candidate who has consistently stood up for residents, fairness, and responsible growth.
Why vote no? Trust the township and village residents who served on the merger commission and Vote YES! They have unanimously determined what is best for the whole community.
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