Group: Money needed to fight
city annexation
By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
May 9, 2004
Organizers of a local citizens group say they are armed with information and ready to fight Meridian's plans to annex 11.8 square miles of land near their homes.
Now, they say, all they need is more money and supporters to join their effort. A.M. "Bubba" Martin, head of Citizens Against Annexation, says about 42 residents have joined the group since late February.
The group began raising money for its fight shortly after Meridian city leaders announced plans in July 2002 to annex the land, north, east and west of the city.
Citizens Against Annexation anticipates it will need about $250,000-$300,000 to fight the annexation case through the trial process and possible subsequent appeals.
Members already have spent some of their money to hire a Jackson-based lawyer and an annexation consultant from Biloxi to help represent them in the fight.
Meridian officials formally filed their annexation plans in August 2002. In February, the Lauderdale County Chancery Court allowed the city to amend its petition and correct deficiencies, including a description of the specific area to be annexed. The trial date was moved from March 8 to Aug. 2.
The targeted area includes 634 homes and 51 businesses. It also includes Briarwood Country Club, Eagle Pointe, a new industrial complex along Interstate 20/59 and the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Industrial Park.
At the time the annexation plans were announced, Mayor John Robert Smith called the move the second phase of a process launched in 1994 with the annexation of the Bonita area. He said the proposed annexed areas follow natural growth patterns near Meridian.
Albert Herrington, vice-chairman of the Citizens Against Annexation and head of the Eagle Pointe Homeowner's Association, said he doesn't believe the city has a case to annex his part of the county.
Besides, Herrington said, Meridian officials have failed to take care of the Bonita area it annexed in 1995. Herrington said he doesn't need any services from the city.
