08.08.07
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights , that among these are Life,
THE ONLY THING MORE REDUNDANT THAN TYRRANY IS THE LIES THOES IN LEXINGTON KEEP TELLING TO DEFEND THEIR ANNEXATION PLANS.
(1) The sewer to West Davidson HS was PAID FOR AND INSTALLED and continues to be paid for by the County - it was and never will be “free” as Walser, Beck, and the ass. city manager claim often and publicly!
(2) WE WANT NOTHING, WE OWE LEXINGTON NOTHING, AND THE ONLY THING WE WILL EVER GET FROM LEXINGTON IS DOUBLE TAXES AND INCOMPETENT DICTATORSHIP!!!
Lexington has a terrible and continuing policy of Forcibly Annexing neighborhoods – an unconstitutional, undemocratic practice of extending its borders to encompass nearby neighborhoods without allowing the people to vote, giving the annexed neighborhoods nothing in return, and doubling and tripling their taxes. High taxes, ever-increasing “service” rates, gang activity, drugs, litter and crime (and that is just at City Hall) make Lexington a most miserable place to live. The Lexington officials claim they need to annex to control growth and to gain tax revenue, yet they are unable to keep their own City clean, attractive or functioning properly. Half of the youth in High School never graduate, and fewer people own their own homes. Yet all the local misleaders can devise for the town’s future is to raise taxes. Our “Representative” in Raleigh- Hugh Holliman-is the one and only Davidson County Representative standing in the way of introducing a local bill (or “act”) that would allow those facing forced annexation to vote on the issue. He has stated that he believes that we should be “allowed to vote”, so why does he not act to allow us to vote? He has not helped us with the annexation problem at all. Write him at Hughh@ncleg.net and let him know that, if annexations continue, we will vote him out of office. There is another Candidate this next election who is against forced annexations and imminent domain abuses. Her name is RAYNE BROWN and everyone who values the freedoms that this country was founded upon and values true, thoughtful growth for our area should VOTE AND VOTE FOR HER. Ask Stan Bingham (if he will return your calls) what he has done to help us….. More information coming soon…. Visit the category of “what we can do” to find out who to write and call locally and statewide. Remember to write and call the local Lexington officials as well; although our opinion does not matter to them, they might respond to the promise of losing their comfortable positions if they continue to FORCE people to join their unfair City. Please leave your comments or questions by clicking on “comments” at the bottom of the page, OR WRITE TO lexingtonnc@yahoo.com FOR MORE INFORMATION.…**LEXINGTON CITIZENS: YOUR MONEY IS BEING WASTED! ANNEXATION WILL COST 4 - 5 MILLION OF YOUR DOLLARS! THIS IS BORROWED MONEY, YOUR DEBT, WITH A “POSSIBLE” PAYBACK IN 14-15 YEARS!· **WHAT IS FORCED ANNEXATION? Forced Annexation is the process in which a township - such as Lexington - FORCES nearby neighborhoods to pay taxes to the town by extending its’ existing borders to encompass desired areas.DO WE GET TO VOTE? Not in North Carolina, one of only four states that allow this undemocratic form of taxation without representation.WHO IS IN DANGER? Everyone who lives anywhere near a town. Eventually, your land will be annexed unless we all work together to end it! If you are not annexed now, you will be in the future. As little as 14% border (skips roads and waterways) allows further annexations. HOW MUCH WILL MY TAXES INCREASE? Your taxes could easily double. The City of Lexington’s tax rate is .545 per $100 value, minus the Fire Dept. tax ( which is between .04 - .11 per $100). This is in addition to current County tax! This means your property taxes (house, land, and vehicles) will increase a minimum of $435 (North and South Lexington Fire Districts) to $505 (Reeds Fire District) per $1000 value. The City also has the option to contract out your current volunteer fire department, so you are not receiving an additional benefit. This is the most probable method.WHAT ABOUT SEWER? YOU have to pay $1,572 to connect to City sewer (cost subject to increase), PLUS hire your own plumber to hook-up. Cost will be more if a home decides not to connect at time of annexation. The homeowner is responsible for all yard repairs, and imminent domain laws will be used to take property needed to run the trunk lines. Average homeowner will pay an estimated $7,000 - $10,000 for hook - ups, plus an additional $35/ month for sewer service. If you elect not to hook on to the City sewer (and keep your septic system), the City may require each home to pay a monthly acess fee - even though you are not using their services. WHAT WILL I GET IN RETURN? (1) Trash pick-up at a current rate of $7.50?month. (Not an optional service. You must pay this monthly fee.) (2) Sewer. (You pay tap fee and a monthly sewer fee). (3) Recycling boxes if requested. (The County has recycling centers). (4) Lower housing value. The City claims otherwise, but housing values drop with just the threat of annexations. We know from experience. (5) CRIME. CITY CRIME RATES ARE MUCH HIGHER. DO WE GET TO VOTE IN THE CITY ELECTIONS? Only after you are annexed, which is too late, and will be years. WE, by law, are forbidden to vote in the City elections. This is taxation without representation, and hence, the term forced annexations.In addition, those annexed begin paying taxes immediately, although the City has 7-10 years to complete the installation of sewer lines. WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROTECT OUR PROPERTY? Sign our petition. Visit the websites linked to this one. In Davidson County, vote Republican (unfortunately, only Republicans are introducing Bills for annexation reform and Democrats are supporting Forced Annexation. Remember, if Hugh Holliman and Joe Hackney wanted forced annexation to end, it would end within a month). Call and write the City and State officials listed in “what we can do together”. Join us in our fight now or fight alone later. Thank You.