BACK <<

More News About The League of Municipalities

June 14, 2004

The June 10th League Legislative Bulletin #5 from www.nclm.org has an update on the progress of the Kernersville Annexation Referenda Bill. Click on the headline link to read this Bulletin update and make a note of who spoke in opposition to this Bill.
Representative Decker, who introduced the Bill, and all supporters, deserve a letter of thanks from all citizens who want to see the NC Statutes changed for the entire State. This Bill has not been defeated yet and remains in Committee. This vote in Committee on a motion for a favorable report was very close at 5 (for) to 7 (opposed).

Mayor Keith Holliday of Greensboro showed himself as clearly aligned with the opposition to reform of NC Annexation Law. This should become an issue for him in his next election. If you disagree with Mayor Holliday and would like to inform him of your position on changing the law, Mayor Holliday may be reached at:

One Governmental Plaza
P.O. Box 3136
Greensboro, NC 27402-3136
(336) 373-2396

Apex Town Manager Bruce Radford also inserted himself into Kernersville's affairs by speaking in opposition to the Bill which would return "consent of the governed" to at least one area of North Carolina. If you would like to write to him and tell him how you feel about this, his email is: bradford@apexnc.org

NCLM Executive Director S. Ellis Hankins spoke at length in opposition. His speech to the Committee, as I heard it, painted a picture of financial and economic ruin for municipalities if NC Annexation Law was changed in any way. He heavily implied that the municipalities would lose their ability to annex if any Bills, statewide or local, asking for any change were to succeed. He stated that the success of any local Bill would set a "dangerous precedent".

As the citizen who spoke in favor pointed out, allowing a referendum for involuntary annexation would not put an end to annexation entirely or cause financial ruin to the municipalities. It would inspire municipalities to negotiate in a fair and respectful atmosphere instead of force and contention.

Perhaps Mr, Hankins needs to hear from citizens who disagree with the position that he is arguing for the municipalities.
Defend your right to live outside of a municipality!
Citizens of Municipalities who feel that the annexation laws need to allow a vote by those effected should let Mr. Hankins know that he is misrepresenting your position.
Email Mr. Hankins at: ehankins@nclm.org .

In the meeting:
Rep. Gillespie made the motion to approve the Bill without prejudice.
Rep.'s Decker, Blackwood, Culp, Gillespie, and Wood voted for approval.
Rep.'s Pate, Fisher, Jeffus, Jones, Luebke, Mitchell, and Parmon opposed the motion to approve without prejudice.
The Bill remains in Committee.
I will continue to track this Bill and the Fayetteville Bill, and keep readers posted on hearing dates. It's time to get serious about supporting the Legislators who are trying to get the Laws changed. Attending these hearings encourages our supporting Legislators.

Write to the  House Ways & Means Committee Members while the Legislators are still in session and respectfully tell them where you stand on changing the Annexation laws:
House Ways & Means Committee
Chairman Rep. Decker-Y
Chairman Rep. Pate-N
Members Rep. Blackwood-Y, Rep. Culp-Y, Rep. Fisher-N, Rep. Gillespie-Y, Rep. Goodwin-A, Rep. Harrell-A, Rep. Jeffus-N, Rep. Jones-N, Rep. Luebke-N, Rep. Mitchell-N, Rep. Parmon-N, Rep. Preston-A, Rep. Rhodes-A, Rep. Wood-Y

Votes Y=yes N=no A=absent