Previous Page

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/
county-asks-city-to-hold-off-on-annexation-222129.html

County asks city to hold off on annexation | By Mike Hixenbaugh | Rocky Mount Telegram | Monday, November 3, 2008

NASHVILLE, NC — The Nash County Board of Commissioners wants Rocky Mount leaders to delay plans to annex several hundred county residents.

Responding to community petitions, the county board voted Monday to formally request Rocky Mount City Council to freeze its forced annexation until state legislators are able to review the topic.

Betty Edmondson, a community activist who has fought the city's most recent annexation plans, told the Board of Commissioners she and other county residents cannot afford to pay city taxes and don't want city services.

Under state law, county boards of commissioners have no authority over city-initiated annexations. Nor do the affected residents.

"You might say I am here to cry on your shoulder for these neighborhoods who are so concerned about their future, their children and grandchildren's future," said Edmondson, president of the Oak Level Community Against Forced Annexation. "Many of those residents stand to lose their homes if this annexation is passed."

Rocky Mount leaders propose to involuntarily annex more than 2,200 people and 1,733 acres of land in both Nash and Edgecombe counties in its second installment of a three-phase plan. Phase two of the city's annexation plan comes just months after the initial phase, which annexed 2,500 residents and 3,722 acres of property, effective June 30.

Commissioner Robbie Davis suggested writing a letter to city leaders after hearing Edmondson's concerns.

"We all know we have to work hard to build a partnership with Rocky Mount," Davis said, "and we are in some partnerships now where we must work together with city leaders. But I wonder if it wouldn't be prudent to ask for Rocky Mount to delay its plans, given the concerns we've been hearing."

A bill to enforce a moratorium on forced annexations was before the N.C. General Assembly this year during its spring session but died in the N.C. Senate. Davis and other commissioners hope the city will delay its plans to allow legislators time to study the issue.

Rocky Mount City Manager Steve Raper, having yet to hear from county officials by late Monday afternoon, declined to comment on the commissioners' request. The City Council is expected to consider the annexation ordinance at its Dec. 18 council meeting.

In other business, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint J. Wayne Outlaw to replace the late Jay Alford as District 5 county commissioner. The Nash County Republican Party Executive Committee nominated Outlaw after Alford died unexpectedly in September of a heart condition.

Previous Page