Farmers And City/County Consolidation Fears

VANDERBURGH COUNTY - It's a hot button issue facing voters come November: Consolidation of Evansville and Vanderburgh County governments.

Vanderburgh County treasurer and merger opponent Rick Davis headed to the farm to get his message out.

It hasn't been a good year for farmers with the heat-wave and drought. But farmers near the new north high school are worried about more than just the weather.

Farmer Steve Jackson says, "With the new school and everything out here, we've had our way of life is already starting to change drastically Who would ever have thought we could set and watch a football game at our farm."

But farmers like Jackson fear even more changes could come if voters approve the consolidation of county and city governments when it appears on a referendum this November.

One concern: If a common council overseeing the consolidated government decides to re-draw city boundaries including expansion in to the new north high school area.

Jackson says, "Right now you hear that maybe they're coming out to Booneville - New Harmony Road but now, since the new North High School is out there and all these subdivisions, they see those going in. It concerns us a lot because I really think it could be Baseline road."

Bruce Blackford is co-chair of Citizens Against Reorganization. "The plan is flawed that it leaves a lot of questions on how things are going to be done. They left the PD alone, then didn't discuss the fire department."

He continued, "We're not being heard and we want to be able to voice our opinion and get the people aware of what the plan is."

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