Mayor candidates comment on Center Grove
We asked the three candidates for mayor of Greenwood “What is your view on annexations or mergers, such as with White River Township?” Here are their replies.
David Payne
First, let me talk about annexations. I do not believe annexations just for the sake of “we can” is ever a good idea. I believe our community, communities in general will grow naturally and with that comes annexation, but only when it is appropriate, cost efficient with the government unit and serves a purpose. What I fear with random annexations is the “donut” effect as we had in Greenwood for several years. Over 40 (47 I believe was the more exact number) of pocket areas in Greenwood that were not officially a part of the city, but received all the benefits of the city. The guys plowing the streets are not going to stop and lift the plow just because this one house is technically not in the city, police officer are not going [refuse] to help simply because this crime occurred outside our jurisdiction. Road repairs are not going to skip over a section of street just because it is outside our area. It an unnecessary distraction. The city cleaned up those areas a couple of years ago. We should not allow that to happen again.
[As to merger], I was a part of the steering committee that studied the possibility of the reorganization of the White River Township and Greenwood. I understand the genesis of the idea of re-organization, was to eliminate levels of government that did not serve a function or a purpose as they once did. I agree with that theory. I believe White River Township is in a quandary. You have infrastructure problems, have no say in the planning or development of the area, and have become a city outside a city with little or no support from county government. You have very few options. [You can] establish your own city, you can reorganize with another taxing unit or allow random annexations. While I have not studied all the ramifications of each action I believe, Greenwood needs to be a better neighbor. I believe Bargersville needs to be a better neighbor. Let us face it we behave as one city, we shop, we play as one city, but the structure does not support that. If we get egos out of the way and sit down with only one goal in mind, to help you find a resolution to the hurdles you face, we can reach a solution. I am ready to start.
Mark Myers (From Journal with Mr. Myers permission)
Believes that before the city starts annexing must take care of its current infrastructure and get it up to par. Any annexation the city does must be contiguous and jointly agreed upon. Does not want to go to court with lawsuits over annexations. Want only annexations that would benefit both parties. Not interested in pursuing the issue of a merger at this time.
Jeff Spoonamore
We talked with Candidate Jeff Spoonamore. Mr. Spoonamore said that if Greenwood were going to grow, it would make more sense to move to the east. He suggested that they might attempt to bring more medical and technical businesses along County Line Road east of I65. While he does not see attempts to merger to annex more of White River Township involuntarily, he did say he would be open to voluntary annexations, if an area or neighborhood approached Greenwood. He added that if an area were annexed into the city, he would want the tax rate to be lower for that area until they received the complement of city services.
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