Ontario resident Carol Iiams spoke to the city council at their Jan. 16 meeting regarding the new Cole Tool & Die Company. Cole Tool & Die moved into an abandoned warehouse and began business 500-feet from her home.
“Five months ago the city allowed Cole Tool & Die to move in, and I’ve had nothing but total hell since then,” claimed Iiams. “Every hour they are open they are violating the public nuisance law.”
Iiams and her husband claim they found out “by accident” several years ago that their property was changed from residential zoning to industrial zoning.
Just days before the council meeting, Iiams went to each of the council member’s homes to deliver her complaint in writing. She is asking that the city purchase her property since she feels it is no longer a place she can live.
“I cannot sleep. I have stress. Nobody can come to my home … I do not have control over my property anymore,” Iiams said.
Also living the same distance from the new manufacturing company is resident Terrie Capra who lives directly across the street from the Iams’.
“The plant hasn’t bothered me at all. I can barely hear it,” claims Capra. “I knew they were moving into the old warehouse and they brought new jobs to our area, which was much needed.”
Capra wasn’t surprised that the Iiams’ are unhappy with the new manufacturing plant.
“On the opposite corner from the tool company is the Sunset Drive In, and she has complained for years about them and would like them closed down, too,” Capra said.
Capra is aware of another resident – over 1,000 feet from the plant – who has also complained.
“If you go outside, you can hear it in the distance, but it really hasn’t been a big deal for me.”
Council president Larry Collins, who had to break into Iiams’ speech when her time was up, thanked Iiams for addressing council.
“We will deal with it and respond to you appropriately through our law director,” Collins said.
“I cannot sleep. I have stress. Nobody can come to my home…I do not have control over my property anymore,” Carol Iams said.
