Your Opinion: 'No' on city annexation

Dear Editor:

Taxpayers should vote a resounding "no" on the City of Jefferson Proposition 1 (annexation) on Nov. 6. It's on the back page of the ballot, so don't miss it.

Annexation of the huge area west of the city is nothing more than a land grab to squeeze more lodging tax money to build a white elephant convention center. The City Council's fanatic obsession to build a convention center is driving this annexation effort, like a tail wagging a dog. They have lost sight of the true needs of the city. The voters have already rejected a convention center. But, like a zombie that won't die, it just keeps coming back to haunt us. We don't need a convention center. It will require constant transfusions of your property tax money to stay open.

This land grab will stretch city services further than they can reach without breaking. It will cause more unplanned chaotic development which our city has seen enough of. It will create an eventual need for another fire station, which you will pay for.

The residents of the proposed annexation area recently voted against being brought into the city limits. We should respect their wishes.

Some businesses and areas were suspiciously left out of the annexation area. Why? Something is fishy.

Annexation will cause your property taxes to increase because it will cost the city more tax money to service the annexed area than the property tax will bring in.

A no vote on Prop 1 annexation is a vote against a convention center, against higher property taxes, against unplanned development on the west end, and against the fishy annexation, all rolled up into one. One no vote never did so much good work for our city.

Let's send a strong message to the City Council by voting no on Prop 1 annexation on Nov. 6.