Tuesday, December 21, 1999
Monroe tries to fill in blanks
Plan to annex worries some in Lemon Twp.
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — Monroe's mayor and other officials told a crowd of more than 50 people, “Monroe wants you,” during an informational meeting Monday on a proposed annexation.
But some of the residents indicated the feeling is not mutual.
After hearing reports about zoning, fire, police and other city services, some residents expressed fears that their way of life would be adversely affect by being annexed to Monroe.
“So we'd be at your mercy. We're going to have to do what you tell us to do,” said Jane Majors, a farmer. “My heart has always been in Monroe. It breaks my heart to go against it. But you force me to because of some of the leadership.”
The three-hour meeting was held by the city to dispelwhat Mayor Elbert Tannreuther calls misinformation about an effort by some local residents to have the city annex an estimated 1,000-acre section of Lemon Township.
Rodney and Deborah Barker, who live in the proposed annexation area, began a petition drive in recent weeks to try to get a majority of property owners to agree to be annexed.
They said most residents approached indicate they favor being annexed to Monroe, especially because it appears the township may end up dissolving next year and they could end up being assigned to Liberty Township.
There are 71 owners of 45 parcels of land involved, and 36 signatures are needed for annexation. But more than half of that land is owned by a handful of farmers who have declined to comment but reportedly are anti-annexation.
Monday's meeting grew heated when some residents complained about a letter mailed to Lemon Township after that township issued an annexation fact sheet, which residents had requested.
Monroe officials said recently if the area, which cuts through the middle of the city, is not annexed to square off its borders, the city will withdraw from the township next year and stop contracting with Lemon Township to provide, police, fire and road service.
Residents in the annexation area say the main issues are having city water readily available, plus having police, fire and emergency medical services close at hand. They think such amenities will preserve property values and property insurance rates.
Deborah Barker told residents she and her husband began fighting for the annexation because it was obvious Lemon is going to dissolve.
“If we dissolve, we will go to Liberty Township — no choice,” she said. “And our insurance rates would go up because of (emergency) response time.”
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