An annexation lawsuit involving a group of Highway 58 area residents and businesses is moving forward, with depositions now under way. The court date is scheduled for June 1.
“I prefer not to delve that much into the matter; it’s just a matter to be decided by the court,” City Attorney Mike McMahan said in regards to the city’s “first [annexation lawsuit] to go to court in recent years.”
Mayor spokesperson Richard Beeland followed policy and declined to comment on what the outcome could mean since the issue is pending litigation.
Kyle Holden, president for Hamilton County Residents Against Annexation, a collective group formed to help citizens in such matters, did not rule out the possibility of appeals should the judge’s decision favor the city.
“It’s really up to the plaintiffs in the individual areas where they want to go,” he explained. “If they want to appeal, we’re going to stand behind them. We’re not forcing anybody to go to court over this. All we’re doing is providing them access to Tennessee’s premier annexation attorney, David Buuck, and basically paying for the legal services.”