Published on: 2004-08-19

 

Williams

Fayetteville City Councilman Paul Williams wants to drop efforts to annex 42,000 residents.

Williams said rescinding the annexation ordinance passed by the council in November would save the city money and stop three lawsuits that are before the state Court of Appeals.

He said the legal challenges will be successful.

Councilman Robert Massey disagreed.

"We have done everything within state law to bring these areas into the city," he said.

Massey said there is no reason to rescind the annexation ordinance, which would add 27 square miles to the city, most of it in neighborhoods along Raeford Road.

The annexation was to take effect June 30. It was put on hold by the state Court of Appeals on June 29. The Court of Appeals allowed the annexation to proceed on July 7 but the state Supreme Court halted it indefinitely July 12.

Massey, Mayor Pro Tem Lois Kirby and Councilman Johnny Dawkins said the city needs to let the suits work their way through the legal process.

Officials have said the legal fight could last a year or more.

Mayor Marshall Pitts Jr. and council members Juanita Gonzalez, Mable Smith and Curtis Worthy could not be reached for comment.

Councilman D.J. Haire said he would want to hear the opinion of City Attorney Karen McDonald before making a decision on rescinding the annexation.

Haire said support on the council for stopping the annexation is waning. He said the majority of the council appears content to wait.

Haire and Gonzalez voted against the annexation in November. Williams and Dawkins were not on the council at the time.

Councilman Jimmy Keefe said the cost of being prepared to move ahead with the annexation is too high. The city spent more than $5.5 million preparing for the annexation.

"We need aggressive steps so we don't go bankrupt," Keefe said.

He said the city should consider firing employees hired for the annexation and offering early retirement incentives to others.

"The only thing we should not do is do nothing, and that's what we are doing," he said.

Haire, Massey and Dawkins said layoffs should be the last options.

Williams wants to let the Planning Commission study annexation and make recommendations before the council considers another annexation.

He said the city should consider a smaller annexation, particularly involving the areas close to downtown that are surrounded by the city.

Williams said he may have as many as four council members supporting him in his effort to rescind annexation. He may make the motion at Monday's council meeting. A closed session to discuss annexation litigation is on the agenda.

Haire said he wants City Manager Roger Stancil to issue monthly reports on the costs while annexation is in litigation.

"I want to know what the strain is," he said. "Maybe that will open the eyes of other council members and make them look in another direction."

Staff writer Don Worthington can be reached at worthingtond@fayettevillenc.com or 486-3511.