Hamilton County Judge Rules that Incorporation Must Wait

Judge Nation ruled that Fishers’ first reading of the annexation ordinances on September 17th preempted the incorporation filings of East and West Geist, forcing incorporators to put their plans to form Indiana’s newest towns on ice.

“We have to focus on the annexation proceedings now,” said Rachel Quade with the Geist United Opposition. “Let’s show up in force next Wednesday night at the Fishers Town Hall and tell them what we think of their plans to forcibly annex us.”

If Fishers proceeds with the annexation proceedings, the areas of North, East and West Geist will have a chance to sign petitions remonstrating against the Town of Fishers for 90 days beginning in mid January. Each area will have to secure 65% of the residents’ signatures on a petition to get their day in court.

“After we win, we’ll pull the incorporation papers back out again and refile,” added Quade.

“The Board of Geist United Opposition sincerely appreciates the work everyone did gathering over 800 signatures on petitions for incorporation,” said Kirk Bidwell. “Clearly, the promise of incorporating our area into self-governing towns resonated with a lot of people. You can rightly say that you were part of making history in the Geist area.”

An important reminder:  the Fishers Town Council is holding the required public hearing on the Geist annexation next Wednesday, December 19th, 4:00pm, at the Fishers Town Hall.

All Geist residents should attend this meeting!  Plan to make a statement at the hearing as to why you are against this forced annexation.  It may be that:

• You are against paying significantly higher property taxes for services you don’t need, don’t want, and don’t use.
  • Even if the state changes the property tax system, Fishers will simply replace property taxes with another, higher tax (e.g., local income).
• You don’t like the idea of the Town Council-a governmental body that you did not elect and who does not represent you-forcing you into their town against your will and for no other reason than they want your money.
• You don’t like the way the Town Council conducts business:  spot annexations to ensure certain councilors can retain their council seats; uncontrolled growth that is stressing our schools and infrastructure; forcing people to sign agreements not to fight annexation (non-remonstration) in order to get building permits; and, making outrageous, retaliatory statements like our kids won’t be able to play in the SPORTS program or our sewers will be shut off if we fight annexation.

Tell all of your neighbors to attend!  Please help get the word out and call your neighbors and ask them to attend this meeting.  The date and time are certainly not convenient, but that would appear to be by design-after all, why wouldn’t the Town Council make it as difficult as possible?