Rainbow Farms land battle continues

Due to eminent domain, the therapeutic riding center, Rainbow Farms, has been asked to relocate.

Leigh Ann Nosser, owner, founder and operator of the business, has agreed that the new development of the property is a good thing. However, she states she isn’t being offered adequate land or funds needed to rebuild. In addition to starting her business back up after a relocation, she will have to transfer horses, equipment and rebuild her entire facility.

(Source: Leigh Ann Nosser)

“When is the right time to make a big deal about this?” Nosser’s attorney, John Mayo asked, “Whenever Leigh Ann is ready, it’s a good time… I think the best thing is for people to know that (Nosser is) involved in this. Regardless of whether she sells the property to the government, she’s planning to be an ongoing business and this will come to a resolution. That’s ultimately what she wants.”

Now is the time for people to get behind Rainbow Farms and speak out on their behalf. Those who want to help can contact the proper authorities and make their feelings known. The original plan to move the property has been changed to leave the farm where it is, but since Rainbow Farms is a business designed for children with special needs, it becomes a safety concern to operate the riding center in the midst of an industrial port.

(Source: Leigh Ann Nosser)

Nosser states it will cost upwards of $1.6 million to rebuild the business back to what it was before the eminent domain process began. In the meantime, Nosser has had to squash several rumors going around about the business shutting down.

“I’ve had to stop a lot of rumors from going around saying we are shutting down. We are still open and will remain open during this process and after all of this is over,” said Nosser.

She isn’t concerned with wanting to close her business, she is worried about not having the proper land or enough compensation to keep it going as it is now.

“Basically the offers they have given me will not work to keep me in business,” said Nosser. “I just want to go to another location and have my farm be rebuilt. That’s my wish. We have been working towards that resolution. They wanted me to look at a property. I was happy with that area and then suddenly the offers are not the same anymore.”

(Source: Leigh Ann Nosser)

All Nosser wants is for the business she’s spent a lifetime building to be made whole since being asked to move. Whether the Farms gets the funding it needs will be crucial to keeping the business alive.

“In order to make me whole, we need the appraisal cost to change, not including the moving cost and incidentals,” Nosser said. “What do I do if I have the top-notch appraiser and it’s still not enough to rebuild?” At a minimum, Nosser needs the appraised value to match the $1.6 million, plus additional costs.

Rainbow Farms has been helping the community for many years. They offer unique therapy combined with horseback riding to help children and adults with a wide range of special needs.

(Source: Leigh Ann Nosser)

“We need to facilitate a whole farm,” Nosser stated. “A few thousand dollars is not going to achieve that. You’re talking about my whole livelihood. In my mind, this is a real simple fix. If they are going to ask me to give up my place and want to take my farm then it’s only right that they give me the property I need to build the thing back.”

Nosser is prepared to stand up for her facility and her business.

“We are not just gonna roll over and take it. You’re talking about a lot of people all over the state who are going to be very upset if we can’t rebuild. How are they going to live with themselves if they put me out of business?” she asked.

(Source: Leigh Ann Nosser)

Despite the battle she faces, Nosser is not opposed to the new port being built.

“I think the port is a good thing but why tear my business down and not help me rebuild it?” she asked. “No matter how they present it, they will put me out of business if this move doesn’t happen. If they don’t have the money to get me out they should have never started to begin with. We are trying to keep the business alive and I’m not asking for anything above and beyond the estimate. I got estimates locally and throughout the state and it is what it is.”

(Source: Leigh Ann Nosser)

The public may be able to help Nosser in her quest to get the attention she needs on the matter.

The best thing the public can do to be supportive is to reach out and email the mayor, Board of Supervisors, the alderman, the port commission, call T.V. stations, radio stations, or anything they want to do to help Nosser resolve this. “We’ve got to have our appraised value which is a little over $1.6 million – not including moving costs, incidentals or attorney costs,” Nosser added.

If you want to help Rainbow Farms, the best thing you can do is pick up the phone and make a call. Nosser wants to thoroughly express that she doesn’t oppose the port or moving, but her sole focus is on receiving what she needs to remain whole and continue operating her business in a way that is a safe resolution for her clients.