1. Let's have a contest!

The NC League of Municipalities, in its latest League Bulletin, has

announced:

Annexation for good growth still under attack: The NCLM Government Affairs Team continues work on several fronts to address legitimate concerns while maintaining appropriate annexation authority. We are discussing the issue with legislative leaders, as well as working hard to determine alternative solutions for concerned residents that do not restrict necessary municipal authority. NCLM continues to stand by the 20 point proposal suggested to improve the process and address issues. Annexation could be an issue in the short session scheduled for May, although critical budget issues will likely dominate. NCLM remains committed to ensuring well-managed cities and towns and balancing the needs of in-town and near-town residents.

Stay tuned for creation of an NCLM Annexation Experts Team (of experienced municipal officials) that will hold workshops and draft proposed guiding principles for consideration by the NCLM Board. NCLM Twenty Point Proposal <http://www.nclm.org/documents/annexationproposalsdec17.pdf>

The League keeps trying to come up with another euphemism for FORCED ANNEXATION --

"Annexation for good growth"???? Egads. (And did you note that we are now "near-town residents?"

And, if they stand by their 20 point proposal, why are they forming an NCLM Annexation Experts Team to draft "guiding principles"????

Please help out the League by sending to me, your best ideas of what they could call what we all know is really FORCED ANNEXATION.

2. It is time to comment again on the number of members of the North Carolina General Assembly who are not running for re-election or who have resigned. This will be a very interesting year, to say the least. Most of those who are leaving have not been strong friends of annexation reformers, but a few have been.

FAC will poll candidates for the NC General Assembly on where they stand on reform of our abusive annexation laws. We will post the results of that poll on our website, so you can use that information when you decide whom you will support financially and with your vote in November.

These candidates will have open forums in your area, and I urge you to be polite but direct, as you ask your local candidates if they support property rights for the citizens of North Carolina. Publicize their stance on the issue in your local papers, as the good folks in Davidson County have been doing as they inform folks about the "stand" (or lack thereof) Rep Hugh Holliman has taken on annexation reform.

3. Greensboro loses in Court: Several of you sent me the news of the Superior Court Judge ruling against the city in a voluntary annexation case. He voided the annexation and told the city to pay the plaintiff's court costs. This was a developer initiated voluntary annexation gone bad. Read the story here <http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/02/09/article/ruling_leads_city_to_cut_services_to_areas_in_mcleansville>

4. SNCA Conference: StopNCAnnexation is sponsoring an Annexation Conference March 5-6 in Cary, NC. On Friday the 5th there will be an evening reception and on Saturday the 6th, there will be an interesting set of speakers. Looks like a great event. Here is a link to the sign up (see you there!):

: (Seating limited to 60 people)

5. NC General Assembly annexation reform events:

May 12th: Both the House and Senate convene at noon. We plan to be there in strength in a show of red. Put it on your calendar now. This is not a "rally" but a show of solidarity and resolve to remind our elected officials that they work for the citizens, not special interest groups like the NC League of Municipaities.

Weekly: We are working on a weekly schedule for each organized local annexation reform organization to be in charge of for visits to the General Assembly.

June 2: Cathy Heath of SNCA is running the annual Rally Day. Make sure you have it on your calendar also. Watch for more info from her on this big event.

6. In court rulings: The local Superior Court has ruled in favor of the City of Kinston in their planned annexation. Stephen Laroque, leading the fight against this annexation (also running for NC Representative - an annexation reform candidate!) has indicated that an appeal of this decision will be forthcoming soon.

Once again, the law's "limited review" has tied the hands of the targeted citizen.

Till next time,

Doug Aitken, Fair Annexation Coalition