Four patrons voiced concerns to Ellsworth County commissioners Monday regarding property rights after attending an informational meeting Sunday at Vesper.

Leeroy Charvat, Jody Britt, Melinda Boeken and Joan Rolfs said at least 300 people attended the meeting, including Commissioner Steve Dlabal. The meeting presented information on the Kansas-Nebraska National Heritage Area, which is under the U.S. Department of the Interior and made up of a total of 49 counties — 23 in Nebraska and 26 in Kansas, including Ellsworth County. The effort involving this area seeks to preserve historic trails and other attractions.

Many farmers and ranchers, however, have a different view.

Commissioner Greg Bender, who has seen information on the subject, said he is concerned about the lack of transparency and what exactly is planned for private property in that area.

“They start this stuff and don’t tell anybody,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s a land grab or use control. They say private property rights are still going to be there, but they’re going to tell you what you can do with it.”

“It (the meeting in Vesper) presented some things I truly believe the commissioners need to take action on,” Charvat said.

In addition to a sample resolution, Charvat said there is also a sample cease and desist order which commissioners should consider.

“I didn’t know, and probably most of the people I’ve talked to have only known about this for a week’s time,” Charvat said.

Dlabal said a speaker at Sunday’s meeting, Angel Cushing, plans to meet with commissioners Monday, April 26, to provide further information on what is planned.

“I think we should hear from her,” Bender said.

Bender told the four patrons the commission is still officially in the information gathering stage.

Commissioner Dennis Rolfs, however, was more blunt.

“We’re totally against it,” he said.

Commissioners intend to give a copy of the sample resolution and cease and desist order to Paul J. Kasper, county attorney, to review.

In other business:

• Commissioners, along with Ellsworth Mayor Mark Kennedy, Ellsworth city administrator Rusty Varnado, and several county department heads, toured the former Radio Shack store and other buildings owned by Rolling Hills Electric Corporation. Both the county and city are needing additional storage.

After the tour, commissioners asked for information from department heads on how much storage they require.

• Sheriff Murray Marston said he talked with Dale Houston, county road and bridge superintendent, regarding the blading of the grass away from an area near the storage shed behind the courthouse and installing rock so that it could be transformed into parking stalls for three vehicles. This would free up parking in front and on the north side of the county jail.

• Approval was given to a proclamation noting April 11-17 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. The proclamation recognizes the efforts by dispatch personnel in the county to keep residents and property safe.

• Jeremiah Brown, director of the county EMS department, said he is reviewing the department’s education policy. Brown is considering modifying the plan.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Monday, April 19, at the county courthouse.