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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Friends and colleagues – <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Over the weekend I heard some disturbing news from April Harrington,
Earth Elements Farm, and asked her to send a summary of her difficult situation
to get the word out. As you can see from the summary and timeline below, April
is asking only for fair time extension for her business and fair value for her
property from ODOT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Please consider making a call or sending an email to the names
listed in the email.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Direct inquiries, questions, etc. directly to April – her contact
information is at the end of this email. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Thank you for your consideration – <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Shauna<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Corbel","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> April Harrington
[mailto:eemb9600@gmail.com] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, May 30, 2010 9:21 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> sstruby@cox.net<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Earth Elements Requesting Assistance<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Throughout the twelve years Earth Elements has been a Made
in Oklahoma<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>company, we have learned and grown and created a market
niche that helps farmers receive value for what is normally considered a waste
product. Building relationships and partnerships across the state has
helped the local food industry grow, eliminate farm waste and increased the
availability of locally grown, locally preserved food products. .<br>
I am writing to you today to help us continue that mission.<br>
<br>
I am requesting assistance with the Oklahoma Department of
Transportation(ODOT).<br>
I am requesting a <b><u>fair time extension and a fair value</u></b> for the<br>
property acquisition of 9600 Pecan Tree Circle, Lexington, OK 73051,<br>
which is where the Earth Elements Market and Bakery (EEMB) resides.<br>
<br>
Currently, ODOT, Robert Blackwell, Manager, Acquisition Branch has<br>
made an acquisition offer of less than the appraised value of the<br>
building and has given us 90 days, as of 5/25/10, to vacate.<br>
I was quite shocked by the offer especially due to the time line. I<br>
first had contact in November 09 with Ron Brown from ODOT. He sent me<br>
the plans to explain the stakes in my yard. It was at this time I was<br>
reassured that this was a preparation project that was planned for<br>
2018.<br>
<br>
On 2/9/10, I received a letter from a local attorney stating that the<br>
project was planned for 2016.<br>
<br>
On 3/9/10, I received a call from Franklin and Associates about<br>
appraising the building. I once again spoke to someone at ODOT who<br>
told me to stay calm, this was no big deal, that they would work with<br>
me and that the time line was very flexible.<br>
<br>
On 3/12/10, the appraiser and a right of way agent came to appraise<br>
the building and brief me on the process. I met with Mistie Browning,<br>
Right of Way Agent, Pinnacle Consulting, where she explained that ODOT<br>
would make me an offer, rebuild my building and move me without my<br>
business being affected. They would do a "turn-key" move and I would<br>
only be closed for one or two days.<br>
<br>
This conversation led to a series of questions, where she returned on<br>
4/22/10 to explain why the booklet she left me said that I would have<br>
to rebuild and move my business.<br>
I explained the nature of our seasonal business and how an "in
season"<br>
move would effectively leave us without ingredients for up to one year<br>
and affect the farmers from whom we receive produce to process. I<br>
also had this conversation with Mistie Browning's boss, Donna(?) on<br>
4/7/10. At this time I was again reassured that moving before the end<br>
of the year should not be a concern. I also discussed the issues of<br>
obtaining a new construction loan and mortgage for a new structure. I<br>
was told not to worry, to do business as usual until I received my<br>
offer, then I could receive compensation for looking for new property.<br>
<br>
This is a brief summary of the events that have taken place over the<br>
last seven months.<br>
<br>
I am requesting any assistance with ODOT. By vacating Earth Elements<br>
without time to rebuild in season, Earth Elements will displace up to<br>
14 workers, financially affect 48 farmers, and shut down 4 additional<br>
businesses that rent the facility. The economic impact to the rural<br>
community would be harsh.<br>
<br>
<b><i>Fair Time Extension and Just Compensation for the property of Project<br>
2099(05), STPY-114C(112)RW, SSP-114C(114)SS, Cleveland County, Parcel<br>
67 is all we are requesting.</i></b><br>
<br>
Please contact the below offices and express your concerns for Earth Elements
to receive FAIR TIME and FAIR JUST COMPENSATION.<br>
<br>
Help fight to keep Earth Elements preserving local food for our farmers and
community! <br>
<br>
Below is the contact information for offices that may be able to help:<br>
<br>
Senate Transportation Committee Chair<br>
<span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Senator Cliff
Branan<br>
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 417C<br>
Oklahoma City, OK 73105<br>
(405) 521-5543<br>
<a href="mailto:branan@oksenate.gov">branan@oksenate.gov</a><br>
Executive Assistant: Kathy Lawrenc</span>e<br>
<br>
Oklahoma Department of Transportation<br>
Right-of-Way and Utilities Division<br>
200 NE 21st Street<br>
Oklahoma City, OK 73105<br>
405-521-2651<br>
<br>
<span class=fnt085>Mr. Dan B. Overland, Chairman</span><br>
<span class=fnt085>OK Transportation Commission District 3</span><br>
<span class=fnt085>1 West Main</span><br>
<span class=fnt085>Earlsboro, OK 74840</span><br>
<span class=fnt085>(405) 997–5201</span><br>
<br>
<br>
Please let me know if you have any additional questions<br>
<br>
Thank you for your assistance<br>
<span style='color:#888888'>April Harrington<br>
Earth Elements Farm<br>
Earth Elements Market and Bakery, LLC<br>
405-517-3933 cell<br>
405-872-3722 bakery</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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