City should find other ways
to solve revenue problems
Forced annexation is wrong. Land should only be annexed when a majority of the landowners in the proposed area vote for it. Annexation of the areas around Salisbury puts a burden on these residents (especially the ones on fixed income, who have a difficult time affording just county taxes). It will not provide services that they do not already have. By supporting businesses in Salisbury, these residents are already paying for whatever services the City Council claims they receive. When residents purchased these properties and homes, they were not located in the city, and they lived outside the city by choice. It is against “the American way” to force this issue without a vote.
I am not against growth. I am a real estate broker, and when dealing with residential customers, I frequently have requests for properties “in the county” because these prospective homeowners do not want to pay city taxes. City Council may have the right to force annexation because it is the law. Just because it is legal does not make it right.
Instead of fighting to gain more tax revenue by adding burden (streets, lights, water and sewer lines), our elected officials should be trying to find ways to be better stewards of our money and lower taxes.
ó Brad Farrah
Salisbury
Maybe it’s ‘tea time’
It is time for all residents along N.C. 150 who are being annexed to dump the tea into the harbor. One of the principles this country was founded upon was that there would be no taxation without representation. No vote! No tax!
If all the residents refused to pay tax to “King Salisbury,” the city would have to build a new jail to hold us. The city would have to clothe and feed us. The city would have to pay our high medical expenses.
No vote! No tax!
ó Jim Howell
Salisbury
Misuse of county funds
When I purchased my property 30-plus years ago, I situated it so that I would not be in a position to be annexed by any city, town or municipality. So far, this has proven to be a wise decision, and until now, I have not had a “dog in the annexation fight.” However, I am a Rowan County taxpayer, and I do not feel that my tax dollars should be spent to pay legal fees so that Arnold Chamberlain does not get annexed. Let him and all others fighting annexation pay their own legal fees or do as I did and live out in the country.
ó Alvin Park
China Grove