Monday, March 01, 1999
Warren has annexation forum
Mason school board wants acreage in city
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — Odds are that emotion and rhetoric will prevail Tuesday when Warren County commissioners hear testimony on a petition to annex 102 acres to Mason.
The Mason Board of Education is seeking annexation of land it owns on Mason-Mont gomery Road. The property, formerly known as the Batsche farm, is on the east side of Mason-Montgomery and north of Bethany Road in Deerfield Township.
Commissioners, who have the final say on all annexations, will hold a public hearing at 2 p.m.
“I feel confident going into this hearing, because I think that the township has a very strong case,” said Trustee Larry Backus. “I usually don't feel that way about annexation cases.”
The district plans to use the land for a school. Board members say Mason can provide utility service to the property quicker than the township.
Township leaders are opposing the annexation because of the timing.
“I think we've put together a very strong, succinct case that the property needs to remain in Deerfield Township,” said Trustee President Tom Raga. “It doesn't seem to serve the general good of the community or the school district to remove it from the township.”
Township leaders scored a partial victory in January when commissioners postponed the hearing for five weeks after discovering an error in the legal advertisement for the annexation. Trustees planned to use the extra time to persuade board members to reconsider their decision, but the two sides never met.
Russ Carter, president of the Mason Board of Education, has said the board will not be swayed by counteroffers from Deerfield Township. “Our plan is the same today as it was before,” he said.
In Ohio, county commissioners have extensive discretionary powers in granting annexations. State law says annexations may be approved after three conditions are met: The property must be contiguous to the city or village annexing; it may not be unreasonably large; and the area must benefit by going into the city or village.
School leaders say the district will benefit by saving more than $100,000 in tap-in fees by joining the city.
However, trustees say the district may get more than it bargained for by dealing with Mason. “It seems to me that they are buying problems, not only politically, but possibly with services as well,” Mr. Backus said.
Mason officials met with county leaders last month to discuss a way to bolster the city's dwindling water supply. Mason, which has received water from Warren County on an emergency basis in the past, could be faced with a water shortage this summer unless an agreement is reached.
Bad guy puts cops on the spot
A bicentennial honor for 'Little Gib'
State scouts bicentennial barns
Slain girl's gifts continue 5 years after death
E-check to be a bit kinder on cars today
March brings a weather roller coaster
Westons' gift makes new CAC a reality
Cincinnati's Century of Change
Victim: If anything happens, don't cry
Bureaucracy delays WWII medal
In yoga's embrace
Warren Co. church lost to fire, but congregation didn't lose God
Remember to watch 'Any Day Now'
'A Mighty Spirit' fills theater with joy
Argument leaves 1 man shot
Curriculum review under way
Defendant calls off mail fraud plea deal
Lottery hopes daytime drawings will spark interest
Police chief job won't be filled soon
Ross going to 4-period school days
Students help break ground
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren has annexation forum
Woodlawn recruits residents for crime watch
