Sylvania talks to be held in the open

6/5/2001

Sylvania city council last night reversed its stand on holding a meeting to discuss annexation issues with Sylvania Township trustees solely in executive session.

In a unanimous decision, council decided to hold the meeting in a public session, leaving the option open to go into a closed meeting if the talks turned to settling several lawsuits regarding annexation.

Council approved the joint meeting for 7 p.m. Monday in the board room of the Franciscan Center at Lourdes College. Council is waiting for trustees to confirm the date.

Council had previously voted 5-1 to have the meeting in executive session because the talks could turn to annexation litigation.

Council members said they do not want the meeting to turn into a name-calling session or for trustee candidates in the fall election to turn it into an opportunity for campaigning.

“We are not sure what they are offering, but we need to hear what it is,” Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough told council.

The issue had been bogged down for months in a series of written proposals between Mr. Stough and George Fanning, the chairman for the trustees.

The city is appealing in Lucas County Commons Pleas Court two decisions regarding their attempts to annex township land. Lucas County commissioners voted against annexing 95 acres south of Sylvania-Metamora Road and east and west of Centennial Road.

The city also was rejected in an attempt to annex 259 acres around King Road and Sylvania Avenue.