No Ruling on Injunction for Wells Sherman House Relocation

A Portage County magistrate has yet to rule on a request for a permanent injunction to stop the relocation of the historic Kent Wells Sherman House to a vacant lot at 247 N. Water St.

Portage County Magistrate Kent Graham listened to testimony from several witnesses Tuesday as Kent attorney John Plough argued for the injunction on behalf of the Kent citizens' group "Save the Standing Rock Garden."

Earlier this month, Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge John Enlow issued a temporary injunction on behalf of the group, which is comprised of supporters of the Standing Rock Cultural Arts, that temporarily stopped site work for relocation of the historic house.

The group originally filed an appeal to a September Kent Planning Commission ruling that approved a site plan for the historic house at that address between the Scribbles Coffee Company building and Standing Rock Cultural Arts.

Witnesses who testified Tuesday included Jeff Ingram, director of Standing Rock Cultural Arts, who was careful to clarify that the arts group is not a direct party to the appeal or injunction request.

Other witnesses included Roger Thurman, vice president of the Kent Wells Sherman House Inc. board, which is working to relocate the house.

After several hours of testimony Tuesday afternoon Graham continued the case until 9 a.m. this morning, when testimony is expected to continue at the Ravenna courthouse.

Check Kent Patch for updates on the case today.