March 22, 2007

By Diane Chiddister

The possible annexation of the Fogg farm has sparked controversy in the village, and about 40 villagers, including several families with young children, attended Council’s March 19 meeting. Villager Mary Donahoe read a letter from a newly-organized group, Grow Smart Coalition, which has circulated petitions calling for a referendum on the annex issue. They have gathered over 400 signatures in support of the referendum, Donahoe said, and if Council votes to annex, the group will mount a referendum on the November ballot.

“Increasingly, more villages and towns across the nation have given their citizens a vote on the important issues of zoning and annexation,” Donahoe read. “Likewise, we urge Council to change our charter to allow for this form of hometown democracy and give the citizens of Yellow Springs a chance to vote on their future.”

According to the group’s letter, they have registered with the Greene County Board of Elections for the purpose of mounting the referendum. They are required for the referendum to present a formal petition signed by 371 registered voters. The group has already gathered 400 signatures, but those signatures were not on a formal petition, so they would need to collect more signatures.

At Monday’s meeting Byron Dann also encouraged Council to vote against annexation. He stated that after studying the annexation study in the light of new information about the development, he believes the development will result in more costs than benefits to the Village.

Bob Baldwin asked Council to approve the annexation request, because he is concerned about the decline in Yellow Springs’ population over the last several decades.

“Common sense tells me we need more people,” he said.