The fight to keep a 92 year old grandmother in her Ponca City home continues as she faces the threat of losing it to eminent domain, to build a sports facility.
"The paramount issue is for Mrs. Welch to live out her final days in her home," said Harlan Hentges, Frances Welch’s lawyer.
Welch and her home, were the center of discussion at a Thursday hearing in Kay County District Court.
"The school board decided that they would not take the first step, at least for today," Hentges said. "We discussed generalities. It’s not in writing, we need to have an offer before we can say or discuss those things."
Welch suffers from dementia and her lawyers argue that removing her from her home would do undue harm.
The Ponca City Public School released this statement on Facebook saying in part:
Since 2007, the district has been working toward acquiring all properties between Brookfield and Comanche. We have been very transparent with property owners during this endeavor and have been open with the public... We have exhausted all means. Eminent domain was the absolute last thing we wanted to do.
Welch's lawyer explains in court documents that it's not true and that for more than a decade the district told Welch they wouldn't take her home, arguing a campaign of dishonest manipulation by the school district.
"I can’t explain it to you because to me it is inexplicable," Hentges said. "I think that if people of good will and good faith discuss this situation, we would not have been here today."
On Wednesday, people started a petition to keep Welch in her home.
"As of today, we're almost 4,000 signatures of people saying let her keep her home, that this is bullying this little old lady and shame on the school board, and it’s very devastating," said Philis Whitsitd, Welch's grand-daughter-in-law.
Even non-family came to the court house in support of Welch on Thursday.
"I don’t really agree with what the school’s trying to do and think it’s not right and it’s unethical," said Bryce Shelton, Ponca City resident.
And this is all to help a family that has gave so much back to the community.
The Welch family has been in Ponca City since 1893 after the land run. They started a masonry business, building many prominent buildings in Ponca City's early history.
The Welch's home was built by her husband, Leroy, back in the 1940's
"We made the first and second brick house in Ponca City, so we’ve been here for 120 some years," said Barbara Welch-Rollins, Welch's niece. "All the brothers were brick masons and built many of the homes in Ponca City, the streets, churches, libraries, City Hall, too many to count."
But for family and friends, this isn't about a home, but protecting their oldest loved one.
"She’s always loving caring, wants to make sure that you’re doing good," said Whitsitd.
Lawyers for the Welch family tell us the next hearing could happen some time within the next month.
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