There appears to be lots of twist and turns to this story and possible some dirty politics involved but bottom line is if this is legally Utica land ??? they can do what the hell they please with it. If River Ridge doesn't like it they can pony up the money buy out Utica and Outfront Media (the sign company.)
Unfortunately it looks like River Ridge wants to play the 500 pound legal Gorilla, flex there monetary and political muscles in court against small town Utica with their meager funds and zero political pull to fight potentially lengthy court battles.
Here'e hoping little Utica kicks the Gorilla (River Ridge) square in the balls and prevails either thru proper monetary compensation or wins their legal battles. The bad thing is River Ridge has that political muscle and well Utica is Utica...
Meanwhile The BatBlog is looking at purchasing advertising space on one of the billboards already constructed and River Ridge can kiss our Bat ass !!!
Looking good on the billboard ht!
ReplyDeleteA cheap money grab by Utica that destroys the landscape of this area.
ReplyDelete"LANDSCAPE IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER!"
ReplyDeleteSomething more exciting than a few roadside trees/grasses
for the enthusiasts to check out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmDkBVhGihE
Nice ride!
DeleteI am from Jeffersonville,
ReplyDeleteam currently way down here in Florida
for two weeks at the Southern Command and
I have to say those "roadside grasses and gnarly trees
along there" before you cross the bridge are really dull.
However, that video is way cool!
Thank you to the Bat Blog for diversity!
We fought and pleaded with the state of Indiana for beautification dollars to enhance the entrance into our city. After multiple trips to Indy, countless phone calls with the governor and face to face arguments with INDOT, Jeffersonville succeeded in getting 8 million dollars for improvements to our gateway. In exchange Jeff committed one million dollars and the labor to maintain the white picket fencing, mowing and tree trimming. Utica officials came to see me approximately 8 months prior to signing the billboard permit. In that meeting all parties and attorneys agreed the permits would not be signed and all were assured we were on solid legal ground.
ReplyDeleteI'm disgusted with the Utica town board and it's legal advisors for sticking a knife in the backs of all the residents of Clark County. Shame is too kind of a word to describe the unethical behavior this board has demonstrated. For the town board president to sign the permit of which he acknowledges he doesn't typically do, and admit he personally profits from leasing his land to the person of which the bill boards stand is border line illegal.
Utica, you have sold us out. You have embarrassed your families, your neighbors, and your community. What a sad day it is in Clark County.
Mike Moore
Thanks for your comments Mayor Moore...
ReplyDeleteI can understand your being angry and upset if the Utica officials previously agreed then went behind your back. On the same behalf and not getting into the ethics of the alleged personal gain by the town board president. The BatBlog maintains that if every thing was done legally Utica has every right to do with their land as they see fit...
As example : I may not like the color my neighbor paints his house but he has the right to do as he sees fit as long as no zoning laws are violated. I have the option of accepting his choice or buying him out and painting it as I see fit...
It appears to us that option of a buyout or monetary settlement by River Ridge(who seems to be driving force behind the lawsuits) would be a sensible solution for both parties.
You really can't blame a small community like Utica with limited economic resources for taking advantage of a potential economic windfall with their own property. Utica going back on their word while unethical is just plain old politics.
I don't particularly like the billboards either but I have to accept Utica's right to negotiate a deal. Though River Ridge provides a great economic boon to this area, some would say it isn't exactly aesthetically pleasing to the area either...River Ridge has the money I would suggest they put or shut up...JMO...
Jeffersonville's issue is unrelated to River Ridge's. When any community pursues annexation they must have the neighboring city sign off on the process. Utica never asked for or received permission from Jeff for the annexation of this property. Hopefully a Judge will follow the law. Unfortunately for us, Utica has asked for a change of judge because they know no respected sitting clark county judge would allow them to rtrample the rights of clark county citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe Utica town board wishes to disregard the rules everyone else must follow. There are many more twists and turns to this story that simply make Utica look like a backwater town run by individuals lining their pockets. I wish you could have heard the conversation I had with Mayor Fischer describing the shadiness of this deal.
Remember the players,
Mike Moore
Just curious mayor when was this property annexed ??? Thanks again for your input...
Delete15 years ago?
DeleteLegal Annexation or What?
If the Town of Utica had properly annexed additional area in Clark County within Utica Township, it would have impacted several local taxing units.
The state would have to have known as well.
Did they annex and keep it secret?
The tax assessing authorities at the time in Clark County
were structured with three township assessors (Jeffersonville, Silver Creek, and Charlestown), with eight township trustees,
and the Clark County Assessor.
Jeffersonville , Silver Creek, and Charlestown
townships had separately duly elected assessors.
The assessments were completed for the other eight townships by the individual township trustees in the eight townships without
township level assessors. The county assessor would have
been involved and aware. So would have the Auditor and
the Treasurer.
A transfer of a portion of the taxable amount/value
of the annexed properties would have to have been shifted
from the various entities like county government,
GCCS, etc., to the town's new assessment amount.
Was this correctly done?
If not, the town may be due "back pay" in unrealized tax revenue.
However, there is also the SMALL additional problem
that the Town of Utica being within the established fringe
of the City of Jeffersonville would have to have obtained
legal permission from the City of Jeffersonville
to annex the questioned area.
What about the PTRC? GCCS's reduced amount?
Correct or improper annexation?
Back money owed?
Time to put the reporters and lawyers to work.....
So, the possibility exists
Deletethat a town government in Indiana
did not obtain the proper legal authority
to annex area from a contingent local larger city government,
so the annexation was never legal......?
Sneaky?
What about the tax split?
There doth appear there
will be a reversion of the control
over the questioned properties.
Roughly 15 years ago, I know that's a long time, but no one was made aware Utica had done this. They didn't follow procedure to let anyone know. Plain and simple.....THAT'S ILLEGAL.
ReplyDeleteMike Moore
Correct.
DeleteNothing new here politicians lying to other politicians. It isn't the first time either that somebody with inside information bought up or annexed property knowing it would someday be valuable .
ReplyDeleteLots to digest here that I wasn't aware of. I prefaced my remarks " if everything was done legally"...Mayor Moore brought up the annexation issue which could be a sticking point for Utica ...15 years is a long time and there are statutes of limitations and other circumstances that the courts will have to consider...Stay tuned...
ReplyDeleteSilent Annexation?
DeleteIf the annexation
was really not a "real annexation"
under Indiana law, and was an illegal attempt,
then the signs cannot be allowed by the Town of Utica,
as they do not control over the parcels in contention.....?
However, this begs the question:
Ifn Utica can't get the signs built,
how doth the Hoosier Taxpayer get the Bat Blog
up on the dern billboards?
Should we march?
Imagine slipping paperwork through the courthouse 15 years years ago. Filing documents on a rural piece of property that garnered no attention. Then think about about all the players in the courthouse 15 years ago. THINK HARD!
ReplyDeleteMike Moore
Award Winning Bat Blog Pic on Billboard Quest!
ReplyDeleteThere must be proof of an enabling ordinance,
an action by the City Council of Jeffersonville
to allow annexation by the Town of Utica,
in the questioned fringe area.
The City Council's ordinance granting said annexation permission
would have properly been included in the enabling annexation ordinance
passed by the Town of Utica. It is a required basis of determination
allowing the annexation action.
There appears to be NO record of any city council action that can be provided.
Who was the mayor at that time?
Who was the Jeffersonville City Attorney at that time?
Who was the Jeffersonville Clerk-Treasurer?
Who are the living members of that council?
Where is the ordinance?
If it was never passed and never existed, the annexation was not legal.
This looks like CULLUSION and subterfuge with those den pesky Russians!
Moore needs to annex Utica like Jeff annexed us in the east end who wanted no part of it....
ReplyDeleteGot it!
ReplyDeleteBillboard this!
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/al-franken-leeann-tweeden-groping_us_5a0dad66e4b0c0b2f2f8445a?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
Sweating billbaords and using the power of the courts to prevent their being erected on someone else's land is petty and not worthy of our elected officials' time and attention.
ReplyDeleteIf the land was illegally seized by those trying to put up billboards, I'm paying attention. Otherwise, offer to buy the property or get over your disapproval of others' choices.
It's simple, really.
Wait. The cost of the bridges project was padded by an extra 8 million for some people's idea of pretty?! Damn.It.
I maintain my original statements. Utica town board needs to go away and the town become part of the county or part of the city of Jeff. They have proven time and time again they are unable to self govern, both financially and ethically.
ReplyDeletehttp://siopenminded.blogspot.com/2017/09/i-dont-like-billboards-but-it-will.html?m=1
Drove through there yesterday. Saw billboards. Didn't hurt me at all, and really didn't even detract from the scenery. So much hot air amd conflict over so little.
ReplyDeleteA question for town board president Steve long, how much money did you take under the table to sign the permit?
ReplyDeleteI'm getting sick and tired of being asked about this. I didn't take any money when I signed permit. Stop asking.
ReplyDelete"I didn't take any money when I signed the permit."
ReplyDeleteBut "Just because I make side money from leasing land to Max doesn't make it shadey." was left out of that comment.
Well, looks like Utica has found the BatBlog.
ReplyDeleteHT, you sure you got enough popcorn?
Boom... Crickets. Steve Long knows he's in the wrong. Amazing he's not been charged with a crime.
ReplyDelete