Local Governments prove they are not exempt from corruption

03/01/2014

Elk Creek lawsuit features belated vote

CRANESVILLE -- Since Nov. 2, 2012, when their lawyer sued in Erie County Court, the Elk Creek Township supervisors have been pursuing a claim against farmer Kenneth Rogers over a 288-by-50-foot parcel of land.

The supervisors, however, did not cast a public vote approving the filing of the suit until Feb. 3 -- 15 months after the suit was docketed in court.

The belated vote -- which came after the Erie Times-News filed a Right-to-Know-Law request over the suit and its cost -- is the latest development in the case, which touches on Develop Erie's plans to bring a iron-smelting plant to an area just west of the disputed parcel, in western Erie County.

The township is claiming the parcel, which is 50 feet wide, makes up a section of Thrasher Road, which is public. Rogers is arguing the parcel is his, as he said is shown in the deed for other land he inarguably owns in the area. He has planted soybeans on the swath.

The suit has languished since the township filed it in November 2012. Rogers has asked a judge to throw out the case, and more activity is likely to come soon.

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