Mayor reneges on “What’s best for White River Township residents” statement
Who decides what’s best?
Last year, Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson stood up at a community meeting and stated that his interest was in “what’s best for the citizens of White River Township.” At the request of some WRT residents looking at the self-incorporation option, Township Board member Mark Messick made good on the comment he made on this site “I’ll ask the Mayor of Greenwood what he feels about allowing a “new self incorporated” town or city within the three mile buffer zone.”
The mayor responded that he would view it like any annexation effort by a neighboring community; he would look at “their intent” and would enforce the three mile buffer zone law. That law states any annexation or incorporation effort within three miles of an existing community must be approved by that community.
Enforcement of the buffer zone could kill an opportunity for the citizens of White River Township to self-incorporate with a sufficient business tax base. What once was a stated willingness to support “What’s best for the citizens of White River Township” has apparently become “I’ll grow Greenwood at any cost.” With the buffer zone the commercial areas of state road 135 would be off limits to a new community. Greenwood would grab the north, and Bargersville, who has already made a play for the land up 135 to Stones Crossing Road, would grab the south commercial corridor.
Such action could also harm the reorganization effort by poisoning the atmosphere of cooperation that exists. According to their mission statement the committee wants to “Develop in a fair and equal manner a plan of reorganization for the communities of White River and Greenwood that will create an efficient, effective, accountable and representative government.” The mayor’s statement sounds like WRT joining with Greenwood is the only acceptable fair and equal solution he sees. I don’t claim to know what is best but residents must examine, and remain open too, all options, even joining with Bargersville.
In the most recent study committee meeting, chair Pat Sherman stated “our charge is to bring back to those two political subdivisions a plan for reorganization. That charge does not include looking at any other options. Not that we won’t look at the option of incorporation versus not . . .”. I appreciate that Mr. Sherman realizes that there are options that should be explored and compared as they work towards a reorganization plan.
My wish is that Mayor Henderson and the Greenwood Common Council would pass a resolution in support of “whatever is best for the citizens of White River Township” even if that means self-incorporation. However it appears that he prefers an assimilation of one area by a neighboring community even if those residents don’t feel that is what’s “best” for them. Unfortunately that wish may only come true if “Yes Virginia there really is a Santa Claus” is also true.
No related posts.
4 Responses to “Mayor reneges on “What’s best for White River Township residents” statement”
Speaking as a private citizen (and not as WRCU president), I’m not at all surprised by the article. Mayor Henderson & the Greenwood Council are elected by the citizens of Greenwood, and were I a citizen of Greenwood, I would expect them to act in the best interest of the city. To me, this is why the efforts of the reorganization committee are so important.
I think we also need to keep aware of the legislation current working its way through the General Assembly regarding township & county government. Some of the changes may well benefit WRT, although that would be a coincidence. If the county executive changes, especially to a single individual, the impact could really matter. Similarly, if township government is eliminated, the impact could be positive. This all depends, of course, on the final verbage.
My 2¢
Comment made on February 27th, 2009 at 6:13 pmLarry, I understand your position and essentially agree with it. The reason we thought this was worth noting is because the mayor has taken great pains in the past to voice his openness to all options. He stood in front of a gathering of hundreds of citizens and stated his interests were aligned with the best interests of the citizens of WRT. No one compelled him to make this comment in public. Again, while the reorganization committee was forming he said time and again that he didn’t want members of the committee to have any preconceived position concerning reorganization. (Something that always confused me, I would think one would want reorganization supporters on the committee.) But now, once the committee is in place and Greenwood is firmly in control, he changes his position.
Perhaps I should not be surprised when a politician says one thing and then, effectively, does another. But I was hopeful that this time a local politician would either say nothing or stand by what he said.
I think the biggest impact of this change is that it severely limits the options left to residents of unincorporated WRT. Obviously, if we don’t want to be chopped into little pieces, annexation by annexation, we had better go along with whatever the reorganization committee proposes. And while that may not be the worst thing that could happen, I’d be surprised if it offered any real change in the efficiency of government.
Dann
Comment made on February 28th, 2009 at 9:51 amAllow me to clarify my point. The mayor should represent the best interest of his city but . . .
I have received several emails concerning my last post which made me realize I need to clarify my point. The mayor of our neighboring city first stated that his interest was what was best for the citizens of White River Township and whatever they decide would be fine with him. However when presented with the possibility of a city of equal size forming on his border he changed his position. If the citizens of WRT expect Greenwood, or its mayor, to watch out for their interest they are sadly mistaken. Residents of unincorporated WRT need to be responsible for their own future and not trust it to anyone, the mayor or Common Council of Greenwood, the Town Council of Bargersville, their elected WRT representatives or even the reorganization study committee.
Self determination, it is what founded our nation, will determine our future if we step up to the responsibility it entails.
Comment made on February 28th, 2009 at 11:53 amHerein is the beauty of the reorganization process the legislature has provided us: the reorg committee will do what it is organized to do–study reorganization and “merger”, nothing else. No one and no law prevents citizens from organizing a self-incorporation examination. In the end the question will go to the electorate to decide if reorganization/”merger” is agreeable. What could be fairer? And why would anyone object to the Mayor of Greenwood speaking for Greenwood’s interests? Resident’s of WRT will speak for theirs. If people have concerns about what the reorg committees will address, get off the couch and attend meetings and make your concerns known!
Comment made on March 3rd, 2009 at 8:35 pmLeave a Comment