BLOOMINGTON – County Residents Against Annexation co-founders Rita Barrow, Margaret Clements, and Colby Wicker will deliver a report made up of thousands of signed petitions to the Bloomington City Council today.
County Residents Against Annexation is a group of Monroe County residents who are circulating petitions among residents who have been targeted in all 8 annexation areas adjacent to the current municipal boundaries into the city.
City officials say areas annexed into Bloomington will receive enhanced services including policing, trash and recycling curbside collection, street and sidewalk/path construction and maintenance, stormwater management, access to Bloomington Transit, safety inspections for rental housing, neighborhood grants, trails, playgrounds, and parks and more. Sewer service may be provided to those not already receiving it. Those receiving sewer services now will experience a reduction in their rates.
“Since the City won’t put this issue on the ballot, these petitions are the only way for people to inform the Council that they do not want to be annexed,” said Wicker. “These petitions serve two purposes – Firstly, they let the City Council know that residents intend to remonstrate, and secondly, these petitions ensure that County Residents Against Annexation volunteers can find people willing to sign the official remonstrance paperwork when it becomes available later this fall.”
Today at 3 p.m. the City of Bloomington is holding a public meeting regarding the proposed annexation plan at Bloomington City Hall, in the Council Chambers.
“These petitions are important, but if the public wants the City Council to know how they feel about this plan, they must voice their opinion during the public comment section,” said Barrow.
County Residents Against Annexation will continue to collect these petitions until the City Council votes on the annexation plan in September.
Monroe County residents may sign a petition at the Van Buren Township Trustee’s Office (2123 S Kirby Rd. directly across the street from the fire station) during their regular office hours 8:30 a.m. until Noon and 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.-12 Monday-Friday. Petitions may also be signed from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Perry Township Public Meeting Room (1010 S Walnut St Room A).
Once the City Council votes, County Residents Against Annexation will begin to collect signatures on the official remonstration paperwork in hopes of reaching 65 percent in each of the annexation areas which will stop the
annexation.
County Residents Against Annexation is encouraging every homeowner in the affected area to sign the Remonstrance paperwork regardless of their waiver status.
“My sole concern,” Wicker stated, “is that we will have low turnout. The vast majority of people I have spoken to are against Annexation, but the only way we can beat this is by having physical signatures on the paperwork.”
If you are interested in volunteering for County Residents Against Annexation or have questions or concerns, send an email to StopBloomingtonAnnexation@gmail.com.
