It's THIS kind of crap that sucks our tax dollars down the drain....Archived Message
Posted by whatusay on February 7, 2011, 6:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Pontoon Beach..."
Pontoon Beach-Glen Carbon border quarrel draws to close Village, Glen Carbon boards to vote Tuesday
Monday, January 10, 2011 12:00 am |
The question of whether Pontoon Beach or Glen Carbon controls a sliver of land near Interstate 270 is expected to be answered Tuesday. The agreement could cut short five years of legal tussling and, officials hope, prevent future border disputes between the two villages.
"We don't need to be spending the taxpayers' money on this," said Glen Carbon Village Attorney Terry Bruckert.
YEP, WE NEED TO LISTEN TO GLEN CARBON ON THIS ONE!
The dispute is over an approximately 50-foot wide strip of mostly farmland off East Chain of Rocks Road.
ALL THOSE HORRENDOUS FEES, OF COURSE, PAID TO ERIC EVENS OVER FIFTY FEET OF LAND. I WONDER HOW MUCH ERIC EVANS WAS PAID TO HANDLE THIS SINCE HE IS NO LONGER AFFILIATED WITH VILLAGE!!!In 1986, Pontoon Beach officials moved to make the land — then unincorporated Madison County — part of the village.
The border lasted until 2004, when officials from adjacent Glen Carbon tried to annex the same area. They claimed the size of the land was too narrow under state annexation rules and that the Pontoon Beach acquisition 18 years earlier was invalid.
Glen Carbon's proposed annexation would have cut several Pontoon Beach properties off from the rest of the village, including Mary Jane's Solid Oak Furniture, 5170 Chain of Rocks Road.
The case eventually wound up in court.
An agreement was hashed out after several meetings starting in 2009.
The municipalities are expected to vote on the plans in joint meetings Tuesday.
The new agreement forces Pontoon Beach to stay on the west side of Interstate 255 and Glen Carbon on the east. The disputed property will remain part of Pontoon Beach.
Glen Carbon Mayor Robert Jackstadt expects the clear boundary to help both communities plan projects.
"It's good to have a boundary agreement because there is certainty regarding future development," he said.
Eric Evans, a lawyer representing Pontoon Beach, said the deal will probably save thousands of dollars in legal costs for the two sides. He suspects the case could have dragged on for several years, possibly ending up in appellate court.Both Village Boards are expected to hold public hearings on the proposal Tuesday, then vote at regular meetings immediately after.
Pontoon Beach's hearing is planned at 6:30 p.m. at the Pontoon Beach Village Hall, 1 Regency Parkway; Glen Carbon's is at 7 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Village Hall, 151 North Main St.
Contact reporter Scott Cousins at 618-344-0264, ext. 113, or scousins@yourjournal.com