Involuntary-annexation opponents rally at Legislature

RALEIGH, N.C. — More than 200 North Carolina residents gathered Wednesday to ask lawmakers to stop towns and cities from taking land in unincorporated areas of their counties.

Members from Stop NC Annexation, the Fair Annexation Coalition and Americans for Prosperity rallied in downtown Raleigh, calling on lawmakers to approve a one-year moratorium on involuntary annexations.

The groups are calling for massive changes to the current annexation laws, including giving citizens a vote in the process and other protections.

North Carolina is one of a handful of states that allow involuntary annexations.

Phyllis Hendrix said the city of Salisbury is trying to annex her neighborhood in Rowan County. She said her neighbors are retirees on fixed incomes who are vehemently opposed to becoming city residents and paying higher taxes.

Last month, a House committee approved a one-year freeze on involuntary annexations to give lawmakers time to study the issue. That idea still needs the approval of the full House and the Senate.

The town of Fuquay-Varina made plans in April to annex more than 1,000 Wake County acres near Holly Springs. People who live in that section of land have opposed the project.

The dispute has left both towns trying to come up with a new border agreement. Leaders will hold another hearing on annexation later this month.

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I currently live within the Rocky Mount city limits. This has to be one of the worst run munincipalities in the world. The only reason they want to add these areas to the city is to take in more money. Trust me, they could care less about the citizens of the city. They do not represent you, they rule you. What you want does not matter. If you are annexed my prayers are with you. And might I add, welcome to Durham East.

vipclean
June 4, 2008 9:22 p.m.

I do not agree with the practice of involuntary annexation at all. We are about to become citizens of Rocky Mount completely against our will at the end of this month.Petitions were generated, complaints were registered at a series of town meetings, but the deal had already been closed and our efforts only served to prvide amusement to Rocky Mount commisioners.

We lost our house after hurricane Floyd, and only chose to try to rebuild instead of taking a FEMA buyout only because we were outside the city limits. Now I wish we had taken the buyout. No one affected wants the buyout due to the fact that we will eventually go uinder city utilities, and the light bill will double, plus city taxes will be levied. There are also certain things you can do outside the city limits that are not permitted within. Thanks City of Rocky Mount for involuntary annexation.