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Remonstrators behaving badly
Annexation opponents resort to threats, incivility as city council passes measure on second reading
By Patrick Munsey
Perspective staff writer
“The Kokomo Common Council voted last week to advance the city's annexation plan on second reading by a count of 8-1. The remonstrators against annexation hailed the dissenting voter -- councilman Bob Cameron -- for his courage in standing against the majority on the night of July 16. But there was just as much courage on display among the eight who passed the ordinance.
A number of them did so despite threats of bodily harm and destruction of their businesses; threats that came from the residents who have so vocally opposed becoming a part of the city.”
This is just a small part of the article as reported in the Kokomo Perspective last month in reference to the 2nd reading of the annexation ordinance that can be read in its entirety here.
http://www.kokomoperspective.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=6918&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&S=1
After attending both council meetings and all of the informational meetings the Mayor and his gang have presented, we are still left with unanswered questions. According to the mayor the annexation ordinance has been introduced. The ordinance hasn’t passed the three readings yet so we must be in the public hearing phase.
Now we find out that maybe you really don’t want to hear from the public unless it is to agree with your plan.
As reported in the Kokomo Perspective the council members have received numerous letters, but discounted the correspondence because they were “form letters”. I challenge the council to look at each of those letters again. Were the letters signed by a person? Each one of those 96 letters that were duplicates did represent the thoughts of the individual that took the time to print, sign and mail the letter to you.
Councilman Mike Karickhoff said “There were veiled threats in those form letters”. Threats in the form of not buying donuts, or finding a different sewer service business? Those are not threats, rather consider them the only way people in the county can cast a vote for those of you sitting on the City Council.
Maybe you will consider this another threat, but it is intended as a promise. If those of us in the county in the annexation area GET annexed, we will be able to vote. If we are successful in our fight and DON’T get annexed, we will STILL be able to campaign. Elections are not the only way a person in the USA casts a vote. We do it every day in the choices we make on where we buy gas, groceries, donuts, services and the places we eat, etc..
"I'm not going to answer any more questions because no matter what anyone on this council says, no one will believe us," said Kennedy in frustration.
We commend Councilman Cameron for having the courage to vote against this incomplete plan, because contrary to what Mr. Kennedy says, you cannot know what you are voting on until the numbers are in. Until then the council might as well not show up for the vote and just rubber stamp the process.
We in the county deserve more respect than that, and the people in your district who voted to elect you to the office did so with the understanding that you would represent them to the best of your ability.
The NAE Group
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