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Bethel resident tells school board: 'No annexation without representation'
Summary
Long-time Bethel Township resident Jeff Morford told the board the annexation process leaves township residents without a vote and urged organized community action to prevent future annexations that would drive student growth without local representation.
At the meeting's public-comment period, Jeff Morford, a Bethel Township resident of more than 50 years, urged the board to oppose annexations that he says strip township residents of meaningful representation.
"I call for no annexation without representation," Morford told trustees, describing past efforts to challenge annexations and criticizing procedural barriers that he says prevent township voters from using referendums in some cities. He recounted a recent New Carlisle case where residents collected signatures but failed to meet the city's requirements to put an annexation referendum on the ballot.
Morford warned that repeated annexations and high-density development approved by neighboring city councils will increase enrollment pressure on Bethel Local Schools and said township residents should have an equal voice in decisions that "will affect our community forever." He asked the community to organize, circulate petitions and press for legislative change to give townships stronger protections.
Board members listened but did not take action during the meeting. Trustees later returned to a related topic in the lengthy levy discussion, where officials linked anticipated growth from annexations to the district's revenue and facility-planning needs.
What happened next: The board acknowledged the concern and directed staff to continue outreach and analysis of annexation-related enrollment effects as part of financial and facilities planning.
