Vanderburgh County Residents Disagree On City-County Consolidation
By: Shalah Sasse
Updated: October 12, 2012
It's a hot button issue this election season, city-county consolidation. We've taken you to the debate, but tonight we hear from two Vanderburgh County residents who have different views on consolidation. Supporters say the plan would make the community the best it can be. While, others are worried about what it could do to future generations.
On this beautiful Fall day, farmer Melvin Kron enjoys feeding his baby calves. He's lived here on his northern Vanderburgh County farm his whole life. When he's not busy farming and taking care of the animals, he's trying to encourage people to vote on election day.
"We're just not fighting this for ourselves, were doing it for our children and grandchildren down the road. Once its passes, its forever," Melvin Kron said.
Kron says he opposes city-county consolidation. He believes it would increase taxes and the city would make the rules for the county. Both sides believe many people just don't understand the plan.
"This is what bothers us a lot. It's so open. We don't know whats going on, on some of these things. Lets get some answers," Kron said.
Ann Ennis is another Vanderburgh County resident. But she says she supports consolidation and is volunteering for the group Yes For Unification.
"I'm a county resident, and I do not want to see city ordinances coming into my backyard at all. This protects that," Ann Ennis said.
Ennis says the plan will lower taxes, and attract economic economic development and jobs for the community.
"Every one on the County Commission, and the County Council except one person is a city resident. So the county has given over control of its future to the city. In the newly unified government, the representation is much more diverse and there's an assurance that there will be more representation for the people in the county," Ennis said.
Voters will have the final say in November, with the consolidation question appearing on the ballot. If it passes, the plan would take place in 2015.
On this beautiful Fall day, farmer Melvin Kron enjoys feeding his baby calves. He's lived here on his northern Vanderburgh County farm his whole life. When he's not busy farming and taking care of the animals, he's trying to encourage people to vote on election day.
"We're just not fighting this for ourselves, were doing it for our children and grandchildren down the road. Once its passes, its forever," Melvin Kron said.
Kron says he opposes city-county consolidation. He believes it would increase taxes and the city would make the rules for the county. Both sides believe many people just don't understand the plan.
"This is what bothers us a lot. It's so open. We don't know whats going on, on some of these things. Lets get some answers," Kron said.
Ann Ennis is another Vanderburgh County resident. But she says she supports consolidation and is volunteering for the group Yes For Unification.
"I'm a county resident, and I do not want to see city ordinances coming into my backyard at all. This protects that," Ann Ennis said.
Ennis says the plan will lower taxes, and attract economic economic development and jobs for the community.
"Every one on the County Commission, and the County Council except one person is a city resident. So the county has given over control of its future to the city. In the newly unified government, the representation is much more diverse and there's an assurance that there will be more representation for the people in the county," Ennis said.
Voters will have the final say in November, with the consolidation question appearing on the ballot. If it passes, the plan would take place in 2015.
Comments
we need the police and the she3e4rif dept,,LEAVE THEM ALONE
JAY W.
October 12, 2012 at 8:49 pm
