Oconee mounts defense to bond issue challenge

Attorneys for Oconee County have made a seven-page answer to the legal challenge to a bond issue which focuses on sewer capital projects.  The county has mounted one-half dozen defenses to the plaintiffs’ attempts for an injunction and restraining order, including a failure to state a claim for which it believes the Common Pleas Court is capable of providing relief.  Two months ago, 12 Oconeeans, along with a public interest foundation, went to court opposing the county council project for the sale of taxpayer-back bonds to generate $25 million dollars.  One of the plaintiff’s sticking points is their contention of who among the citizenry benefits from the sale. The legal response, by William Wilkins and Lane Davis filed Friday, reads, in part, “The County further denies that a general benefit would not be conferred upon Citizens from the referenced services.”  The county seeks an order to dismiss the plaintiffs’ case with prejudice, as well as the award of fees and costs to the county of what it’ll cost the county to defend the suit.