In Mississippi, cities can forcibly annex unincorporated areas without the consent of residents. Senator Mike McLendon is fighting to protect your rights against local politicians who want more of your money.
I live in OB as part of Old Towne. I always liked the option to move into a more rural environment when and if I chose. What has been done to rural residents is wrong. Anytime a government wants more power over any individual, I am wary. Republicans/Conservatives don't seem very good at conserving lately.
My mother's house was annexed back in the 90s, she does not have sewer lines provided by the city and have been told she won't get any lines on the road in front of her property. The houses across the street are in Southaven. If she had to get rid of her septic tank, she would have to run a line through the back of her property and request ROW from the homeowner to put her line through their property to hook up at to sewer lines. It would be over 100 yards of line she would have to pay out of pocket. No street lights on her side of the road (Southaven has some on their side), only 2 fire hydrants on the OB side for a 1 mile stretch. Can't say she has gotten anything in return for the city taxes which have been paid.
First, I'd like to say 'thank you', for allowing comments in response to your posts. A breath of fresh air, when other so-called 'conservative' media outlets allow no reader input whatsoever.
Please know that I haven't voted for a Republican since they abandoned true conservatism to embrace radical-right ideology; interfering with individual freedoms in ways not seen since my childhood, over 50 years ago. But I'm happy to say that I'm in wholehearted agreement with your post. I first became aware of this particular issue literally 50 years ago, when my aunt and uncle living in the Van Winkle area west of Jackson got sucked into the city; no doubt using the same law. They got the higher taxes instantly, but their city water and sewer service was decades away (I'm honestly not sure it's there even today, long after their deaths).
In a state that *claims* to be conservative, our leaders seem most adept at graft, corruption and taking citizens' tax and utility money and giving it to mega-corporations in the form of new roads, utility services etc. None of the above are paid for by the corps; they're paid by the citizens already living in the area. Perfect example from the past would be the Nissan plant; almost certain to close after milking the Madison Co taxpayers until we're dry. It's happening again right now with Amazon's data centers; MS rate payers are going to foot the bill for Amazon's access to power, and taxpayers are going to pay for their roads, sewers, water, etc. Amazon will be here until the cash cow runs dry, and they'll move on to another state who will allow it to happen again.
Your readers should understand that this corporate welfare may benefit the state and/or county by upping their tax revenue, but all the citizens are the ones paying that tax; not the corporation that's getting the benefits. What we get is increased traffic congestion, poorer schools, higher crime, and a higher tax bill, because 'now your house is valued higher'.
I live in OB as part of Old Towne. I always liked the option to move into a more rural environment when and if I chose. What has been done to rural residents is wrong. Anytime a government wants more power over any individual, I am wary. Republicans/Conservatives don't seem very good at conserving lately.
My mother's house was annexed back in the 90s, she does not have sewer lines provided by the city and have been told she won't get any lines on the road in front of her property. The houses across the street are in Southaven. If she had to get rid of her septic tank, she would have to run a line through the back of her property and request ROW from the homeowner to put her line through their property to hook up at to sewer lines. It would be over 100 yards of line she would have to pay out of pocket. No street lights on her side of the road (Southaven has some on their side), only 2 fire hydrants on the OB side for a 1 mile stretch. Can't say she has gotten anything in return for the city taxes which have been paid.
Greetings,
First, I'd like to say 'thank you', for allowing comments in response to your posts. A breath of fresh air, when other so-called 'conservative' media outlets allow no reader input whatsoever.
Please know that I haven't voted for a Republican since they abandoned true conservatism to embrace radical-right ideology; interfering with individual freedoms in ways not seen since my childhood, over 50 years ago. But I'm happy to say that I'm in wholehearted agreement with your post. I first became aware of this particular issue literally 50 years ago, when my aunt and uncle living in the Van Winkle area west of Jackson got sucked into the city; no doubt using the same law. They got the higher taxes instantly, but their city water and sewer service was decades away (I'm honestly not sure it's there even today, long after their deaths).
In a state that *claims* to be conservative, our leaders seem most adept at graft, corruption and taking citizens' tax and utility money and giving it to mega-corporations in the form of new roads, utility services etc. None of the above are paid for by the corps; they're paid by the citizens already living in the area. Perfect example from the past would be the Nissan plant; almost certain to close after milking the Madison Co taxpayers until we're dry. It's happening again right now with Amazon's data centers; MS rate payers are going to foot the bill for Amazon's access to power, and taxpayers are going to pay for their roads, sewers, water, etc. Amazon will be here until the cash cow runs dry, and they'll move on to another state who will allow it to happen again.
Your readers should understand that this corporate welfare may benefit the state and/or county by upping their tax revenue, but all the citizens are the ones paying that tax; not the corporation that's getting the benefits. What we get is increased traffic congestion, poorer schools, higher crime, and a higher tax bill, because 'now your house is valued higher'.