Recent flooding along Jackson Run in North Warren has one business owner seeking another means of relief.

Gary Stoops, owner of Dairy Queen and Pro-Putt, is seeking property tax relief and encouraging others in the same flood plain to do so as well.

The flooding of Jackson Run, which occurred Monday after a heavy rainfall, resulted in Stoops resorting to sandbags as a means of protecting his two businesses. He said the protection came at a cost of about $1,000 for the materials and manpower.

Unable to construct dikes because of state Department of Environment Protection (DEP) regulations, Stoops has looked for any means of help.

"If it's okay that we live in a flood way, then help us," he said.

Beyond the cost of dealing with flooding as it occurs, Stoops said he shells out nearly $4,000 per year on flood insurance for his Dairy Queen business.

Stoops said he is in the process of filing a tax assessment appeal on the basis that his property is what he described as "distressed property." He is encouraging others along Jackson Run to make the same filing.

"If you fix the stream, then we'll give the taxes back," he said.

The issue of flooding along Jackson Run has re-appeared many times. In 2005, the Warren County Commissioners and state officials conducted a walk-through of the area. At that time, a process was started to combat the problem.

Warren County Commissioner John Bortz said, "Warren County, several years ago, initiated a stormwater planning process to follow up on the subject when it became apparent to us in 2005."

Although the ball was in the county's court in 2005, not much has happened since.

"Unfortunately, not enough has been done to mitigate the concerns of the residents and businesses who are affected," he said.

The problem, he said, is regulations.

"From a practical standpoint, it seems to me that we should be able to build up the existing bank of the properties along Jackson Run," Bortz admitted, "but it appears regulatory agencies require something else in a way of a solution."

Specifically, the agency he was speaking of was DEP.

"Personally, I'm frustrated when private property rights are subject to bureaucratic regulations that seem to prevent those private property holders from protecting what's theirs," Bortz said. "Given the regulatory climate, there is no easy solution."

While Stoops' decision to file for an assessment appeal is a step towards doing something, Bortz noted that it is not a solution.

"We need to fix this flood problem," he said. "If property owners feel their real estate is over-valued in light of the flooding issue...they have every right to have their voice heard."

In the meantime, the commissioner is contacting reinforcements.

"At this time, I'm making contact, once again, with state elected officials to help these people," Bortz said.