Recent updates to the ''front page'' of this web site have limited the viewing of this former topic posted in that location. Just like on our local roadways and now even in cyberspace there appears to be limits in room. As in the past this topic has been moved to the ?“Discussion Pages?” to maintain a public accessibility to view this issue.
1/5/02 UPDATE ?–
Posted on the ?“Our Pages?” section of this web site are links (see Referendum Costs) to (2) recent articles of the ?“This Week?” newspapers. The first is the ?“This Week in Pickerington?” January 2, 2002 article, titled POSTAGE, BUSHMAN DEFEND DONATION
$149,500 WENT TO 'NO ON STATE CONTROL OF PROPERTY RIGHTS'. The second is a corresponding article from the same Newspaper chain, but from their New Albany edition dated 12/26/01 titled, Statewide referendum effort collects $461,678; petition flap goes to court. Within this second article is a more complete listing of contributors and amounts.
Let?’s just take a minute and add it up ?–
10/01 $149,500.00 against annexation reform ?–state wide referendum
12/00 $125,000.00 ?“Emergency?” Ordinance to lobby against proposed annexation reform in the Ohio House of Representatives.
Almost $275,000.00 in City of Pickerington taxpayer provided funds to keep annexing laws as they currently are.
And for what gain?
So that via ?“Emergency?”, with higher density zoning promises in ?“pre?” annexation contracts, and reduced tap fee charges ?–
Area residents can promote more residential construction.
On October 19th a City of Pickerington resident filed suit against the misappropriation of taxpayer funds in the drive of the current city manager to file a state wide referendum against the annexation reform ?… see the posting of a Columbus Dispatch article in ?“Our Pages?”.
There are currently (3) Initiative petitions being circulated in the community. A brief description is below and the text of each can be viewed in the ''?“Our Pages?” section of tis web site- under each of their headings.
Filed initiative petition to limit the use of ?“emergency legislation?”, for this initiative to succeed ?– a minimum of 289 valid signatures will be necessary to place this measure on the 11/2002 ballot. Mr. Hackworth attempted to file the necessary paperwork on 10/22, but city officials refused to process the paperwork & required a delay one-day to determine their procedures.
City resident and former Mayor, Rita Ricketts, filed an initiative petition (10/23) to limit the use of incentives to landowners to annex land to the City of Pickerington via free / reduced sewer & water tap fees. Former Mayor Ricketts additionally filed a subsequent initiative petition (10/24) to limit re-zoning of residential lands to only 2 homes per acre.
12/19/01 The State annexation process remains UN-reformed (at this time). Despite a local civil suit, many courts in the state have dockets with the issue of a potential statewide referendum to repeal Senate Bill #5 (annexation reform). Annexation reform cleared both the Senate and the House by wide majorities, later was signed into law by Governor Taft and now is being challenged with a referendum. While this process drags on it?’s ?“Business as Usual?” for us locally. Pickerington City Council has continued it?’s march to ?“gobble up?” Violet Township. See postings in the ?“Our Pages?” section as to recent news articles on the court issues and the annexation efforts locally.
By webmaster
