Annexation

TO THE EDITOR:

The City of Texarkana, Texas, City Council has shown no respect for the citizens of Bowie County in this proposed annexation of our homes and property, They will not let the citizens vote on the annexation, and we had no vote on the City Council members who are forcing this annexation on us.

Many people in the proposed annexation areas live on fixed incomes, are 65 years or age or older, are disabled and cannot pay higher taxes or the high cost of utility hook-ups.

Others have many aces of land and family farms and cannot meet the high cost of compliance with city ordinances. Many areas are rural, requiring the burning of large amounts of debris. The burn ban in the city will not work for them.

The citizens of Bowie County in the proposed annexation areas are united against the proposed annexation. This is an attack on our homes, our families, our property and our livelihoods. It is all wrong for us and should not happen. Johnny Reynolds Texarkana, Texas

TO THE EDITOR:

“Forced annexation by cities—without a vote by the impacted property owners—is piracy by government, a tyranny of taxation without representation that would have made old King George proud.” This is a provocative statement, but it is not mine. This is the statement of Texas Governor Greg Abbott in an op-ed he wrote for the San Antonio Express-News in July of 2017.

As Texans, we know that it is wrong to take property that belongs to someone else without their consent, but that is exactly what the City of Texarkana is proposing to do if it proceeds with annexing several areas in clear opposition to the wishes of the property owners. At two public hearings, affected residents and property owners have made it clear that they do not want to be annexed. Forced annexation can cause financial hardship. There are many retired people on fixed incomes in these areas. The property taxes, costs of connecting to required utilities, and other regulatory requirements will create significant financial hardships for many residents. In addition, forced annexation will result in increased regulation and restrictions on the use of our property.

The people in these areas have already voted on this issue by buying their homes in areas outside the city. We have chosen a lifestyle that does not require the services or restrictions that the city offers. We do not believe that we will, in any way, be better off after annexation. It is a basic principle of the United States that government action not sanctioned by those being governed constitutes an overreach. The Declaration of Independence states that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” In the case of forced annexation, those most affected have no say, no vote, and no power. This is wrong and contrary to the American way of life.

I urge the City Council Members and Mayor to consider these thoughts carefully and vote against the proposed forced annexations. Harry H. Simms Texarkana, Texas

TO THE EDITOR:

Governor Gregg Abbott addressed forced annexation last July stating, “Forced annexation by cities—without a vote by the impacted property owners—is piracy by government, a tyranny of taxation without representation that would have made old King George proud. The city can then impose new regulations and worse —higher taxes. Those forcibly annexed property owners are responsible for the city’s accumulated debt without having approved its issuance.”

Our state legislators have been trying to stop forced annexations, therefore, Texarkana’s forced annexation bid flies in the face of what out legislators are trying to accomplish for it’s property owners

My old house is 300 feet from the road, my brother’s is over 400, my father’s is 100+. We will be forced to hook to city water/sewer at our expense, fill in our septic tanks and disconnect from our wells. My father had a new well dug in May and a new aerobic septic system installed eighteen months ago. My brother’s home has an aerobic septic system also. If you annex us, that is money just thrown away that cannot be recouped.

I live on Social Security, so there is no way I can pay to hook up to city services, pay a water/sewer bill, new taxes on top of those already paid, and all the licensing and permit fees Texarkana has. My father is 80 years old and on social security, he and I do 24/7 care for my mother and have for the last 4 years. We are already tired and stressed to the max. Please, reconsider and don’t put us through this, we are going through enough.

Juli C. Akin Texarkana, Texas

TO THE EDITOR:

I am a property owner in one of the annexation areas. I will face severe financial difficulties due to the costs associated with this annexation. Just this past May, I had to have a new well dug, which the state of Texas tested and rated as good. Eighteen months ago, I had to replace my septic system. I now have a new aerobic system. I also recently had to replace my water lines with the new flexible line. All of these repairs came at substantial costs. This is money I cannot recoup as to the fact I am 80 years old and live on social security. For me to have to abandon all these updated systems would be devastating. My home is 100 feet off the road and water/sewer hookup would be not only very expensive, but totally unnecessary. I already pay thousands in taxes, including the highest school taxes in Bowie County, county taxes, TC taxes, and Pleasant Grove emergency district taxes. Putting city taxes on top of all these others plus a water/sewer bill will be an extreme financial burden. These cost do not even include all the new regulations and permits the city requires.

Please reconsider your plans to annex me, I do not know how I can pay all of these new taxes, bills and fees. I have lived in my home for over 50 years, please do not force me to leave. Where would I go? Lonnie Hawkins Texarkana, Texas

TO THE EDITOR:

My family, all residents of Gin Road and six other districts in the county are facing forced annexation into the city. The City Council of Texarkana plans on voting us into the city on August 13, 2018. The residents of Gin Road are 100% against being annexed into the city.

The letter from the city states once they supply water and sewer we have 6 months to connect or face fines. Also once in the city there would be no burning allowed without a $1000 burn permit if they choose to give you one. We all own 3 acres of land and larger. I live on over 9 acres. There are a lot of fallen trees and debris to clear and burn yearly. Most of the residents of Gin Road are senior ‘citizens, on fixed incomes. When you add up all the added taxes, paying a contractor to install sewer and water lines to connect to city lines, cost of city water, trash, sewer bill, and cost of hiring contractor to remove trees and debris from properties, it is too high of a price to pay for anyone not to mention our senior citizen on fixed incomes.

1. Sewer and water lines depending on distance from road (I’m 1,800 ft away) $7,000—$60,000

2. Taxes will over double (for myself added ) $3,000 a year

3. Tree removal and brush removal {(depending on acreage) $1,000— $8,000 year

4. Loss of new sewer system, and cost to fill it in. $4,000—$6,000

5. Cost of city water sewer trash services $600—$1,200 year. The cost will be from $15,600 to $78,200 dollars for the first year.

Also yearly: City taxes, land clearing and city utilities $4,600—$12,200

There is a Senate bill 6 that allows county’s of 500,000 or more to vote on if they want to be annexed or not. There is work being done that would allow for smaller county’s such as Bowie county to have a vote on annexation. It will be next year before it’s up for a vote. If city has their way August 13 and annex us it will be too late.

It would be greatly appreciated if you were able to help us and write a article on this forced annexation and abuse of power by the Texarkana City Council, to raise public awareness of this situation.

Jereme Bryan Texarkana, Texas