Board Denies IKRON Permission To Locate Across From Harrison School

By Mike Perleberg An IKRON client speaks to a large crowd at the Harrison Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held Tuesday, July 28. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle 99.3. (Harrison, Oh.) - A social services organization which opponents say could offer drug rehabilitation will have to find a new location if they want to operate in Harrison. A company called IKRON (Integration of Knowledge and Resources for Occupational Needs) was seeking a conditional use permit from the Harrison Board of Zoning Appeals to establish and office at 500 Harrison Avenue. The conditional use is needed because the neighborhood where IKRON wants to establish its second Hamilton County office is zoned residential. About 100 people attended a BZA hearing Tuesday evening at Harrison Junior High School. Many were upset with the proposed facility's location directly across the street from St. John the Baptist Catholic School. IKRON director Randy Strunk said that no drug rehabilitation services would be offered in Harrison, where he says the client base has expressed a need for an office. Strunk did admit that some of its clients may be recovering drug addicts though most of the people IKRON serves are those trying to get back to work while dealing with mental illness. “The majority of individuals we see have some type of mental stress or disability. There has not been one case since 1969 where kids were hurt in our neighborhood at our site or while receiving services,” Strunk said. Randy Strunk, IKRON director, speaks at the Harrison Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held Tuesday, July 28. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle 99.3. But Strunk’s detailing of IKRON’s services and the types of people it serves did not ease the concerns of citizens, some of whom feared – perhaps irrationally – the office’s clients would be “casing houses” or “get angry and get at my kid.” “No matter what you say or do, you cannot guarantee that our children will be safe. It only takes one bad apple to bring the residents of this community to their knees,” said Josh Speigel, who started an online petition against IKRON’s proposed office. He also accused IKRON of being “deceitful.” Several people spoke in support of IKRON. A few were past clients sharing their success stories. One client had developed mental health issues and was told by therapists that he would never work again after suffering a near-fatal beating. However, IKRON got him back to work. “I’m not a drug addict. I’m not a crazy person. I just had one minute of my life where my life was ruined. IKRON saved my life,” the man told the crowd. Others were Harrison-born and raised employees. Some supporters had no ties to the organization. “Why wouldn’t you want to help the most vulnerable people in our community right here at home?” Karen Leonard asked opponents. Most who spoke against IKRON’s conditional use permit said they’d be okay with IKRON becoming a member of the Harrison community, just in a more fitting location. “Tell them to go find a better place. There are other opportunities in Harrison,” said attorney Tim Mara, who was representing about 40 Harrison residents opposed. After hearing more than an hour of public comments, the BZA denied the conditional use request on a 3-1 vote with one member abstaining. BZA chairman Jerry Wilson was the lone dissenting vote and admonished those “on social media fueling the fire” by mischaracterizing IKRON. The BZA decision may not necessarily eliminate the possibility of IKRON locating at the former Walter Miller Travel Agency building. IKRON can seek permission for the conditional use from the Harrison city council. During discussions, BZA members hinted that IKRON could file a lawsuit against the city. One board member suggested that IKRON’s best course of action would be to simply find a more fitting location within the city. “We would welcome you Randy. If I was coming to a community, I would want them to welcome me,” the board member said. Harrison resident and IKRON opponent Ray Acra speaks with IKRON director Randy Strunk following the Harrison Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle 99.3. RELATED STORIES: Residents Worried About Mental Health Counseling Office Near School