Senators Gard and Drozda to the Rescue

On Monday, January 7th, Indiana State Senator Drozda introduced Senate Bill 114, co-authored by Senator Beverly Gard, that would significantly change Indiana’s annexation law for the better if the bill is passed into law by the General Assembly.

In particular, the bill eliminates forced annexation.  The only way a city or town could annex territory under this bill is if the majority of landowners agreed to be annexed.  And, if passed into law, the bill is retroactive and could help us in our current anti-annexation efforts against the Fishers Town Council-we will still to undertake remonstration, however.

This bill needs your support to get passed into law this legislative session.

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee for hearings.  If passed by the Committee, it would go before the full Senate for a vote and then onto the House.

As a first step, the Committee needs to pass the bill.

The Committee will be holding a public hearing next Wednesday, January 16th, at 1:00p in room 130 (track this link for possible changes to the meeting date, time, or location:   http://www.in.gov/legislative/session/calendars.html.

If possible, please attend this meeting and speak out in favor of passage of this bill.

You can also call and/or e-mail the senators on the Committee.  To e-mail, go to www.in.gov, click on the General Assembly link, click on the Legislators link, click on the How to Contact link, and click on each senator to e-mail.  The Committee members are:

Connie Lawson (R), Chair, Sue Landske (R), Phil Boots (R), Mike Delph (R), Dr. Gary Dillon (R), Thomas Wyss (R), Bob Deig (D), John Broden (D), Timothy Lanane (D), and Samuel Smith (D).

We will keep you up-to-date on the progress.

Fishers Town Council Meeting 1/22/08-Annexation Vote

We fully expect the Fishers Town Council to pass the Geist annexation ordinances at their next meeting on Tuesday, January 22nd, at 7:00p, at the Fishers Town Hall.

Nonetheless, plan to attend to voice your displeasure to the public and the media.  We need to make a significant noise to let the Council know that this action is wrong and we are ready for the battle.

The GUO will also be prepared with remonstration (anti-annexation) petitions for homeowners to sign immediately after the Council passes the ordinances.