Claremore and Verdigris fight over land

<br>(Claremore-AP) -- An old fashioned land fight is brewing between the small town of Verdigris and Claremore. A town spokesman says Verdigris annexed an estimated 140 acres after three-fourths of landowners

Thursday, July 20th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Claremore-AP) -- An old fashioned land fight is brewing between the small town of Verdigris and Claremore. A town spokesman says Verdigris annexed an estimated 140 acres after three-fourths of landowners in the area petitioned the town's board.

The annexation ordinance was passed June 23rd after notifying Claremore in May of its plan to jump the 20-foot wide fence line that Claremore extended in 1980. The small town acted based on recent legislation that allows a municipality to jump a fence line under certain conditions.

The law allows such action if the fence line is less than 200 feet and the majority of landowners in the area sign a petition in favor of the action.

Claremore filed a petition in Rogers County District Court recently asking the court to find the annexation invalid. Claremore officials claim Verdigris failed to meet requirements of the new law. Claremore also argues that it has demonstrated a substantial governmental interest in the property's use.