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Time is getting short and we need to get the message out. We need to convince as many Bryant citizens as possible that it is in their best interest to vote "NO" on all annexation. We need everyone doing what they can do between now and the election. Will you send letters or Email to the news papers and TV stations? Here are a few points you may want to use:
Letters should be 250 words or less and must include your name, address, phone number, and be signed.
Here is a sample letter. October 6, 2008 |
Bryant voters will decide the annexation election. Although it is important to tell those voters why you are against annexation, it is even more important to tell them how annexation will affect them with higher taxes and reduced services.
There are many points on these web pages that you can use to argue against annexation, but you can also make a personal appeal to city voters to have mercy on you and not force you into the city against your will. If you do not know what to say besides you are against annexation, then use any of these comments that you think are persuasive. The people who wrote these comments did it for publication, so help us publicize them in letters to the editor, Email to your friends, or any other way you can think of. You can quote or parahrase anything you find on these web pages, and you can refer people to these web pages for more detailed information. If you wish to cite your source, there is a link to each quote.
In my years of being a voter I have learned that when a politician says "NO NEW TAXES" that is when we need to be very afraid. It is always not a true statement even though they may wish it to be the fact.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments.htm#newtaxesIf Benton would likely have to raise taxes to service an additional 1,200 acres, how could Bryant expect to service an additional 11,000 acres (almost 10 times as much) without raising taxes?
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/index.html#Bryant10XSeveral thousand city residents can outvote a few hundred in the annexation area and increase the taxes the annexed people must pay. This is taxation without representation, and we believe it is unconstitutional.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/index.html#representationThe Bryant Mayor admitted on TV that the city did not have the money to fix the drainage problems in an area... that has had problems for 3 years and where several homes and cars were flooded the night of April 3, 2008.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/index.html#onTV"Good" annexation (i.e. Conway) should benefit both parties-this does not. We bought in the country for a reason-we'd move to the city if that's what we wanted. Thanks but no thanks.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#conwayThe city of Conway has used utility investments to upgrade their city with amenities that attract annexations on a voluntary basis... They are able not only to attract new citizens but also large industrial companies.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments.htm#conwayI do not wish to belong to any city or organization that wants to take you in by force.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments.htm#forceIf a man takes a woman without her consent, that is a serious crime. If a city takes unwilling people into the city, that is legal according to Arkansas law.
http://arnet.pair.com/bentonannex/0707meet.htm#withoutconsentWe like it here and want to stay in the county, NO CITY for us.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments.htm#nocityOur household strongly opposes the annexation proposals from Benton and Bryant.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments.htm#householdWe were flabbergasted to say the least to receive notice that we are in the area that is in the annexation plans of both Bryant and Benton. We are surrounded by pastures on all four sides and can not see in any way why we would be annexed...
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments.htm#flabbergastedNeither one of these cities can afford to provide us with anything we don't already have and most importantly, we have asked for nothing from either of them.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments.htm#alreadyhaveWe're all unhappy with the prospect of being sucked into one city or another.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments2.htm#suckedinWe do not want to live in Benton or Bryant. We live in Saline County and like it.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#likecountyIf I wanted to live inside the city limits, I would have moved there to begin with.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#movedI LIVE IN THE COUNTRY ON PURPOSE. IF I WANTED TO LIVE IN BRYANT I WOULD BOUGHT IN TOWN.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#boughtDo not want to be annexed in. Like being able to live how we want to live without someone "telling" me how to live and not being able to provide any additional services efficiently.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#tellingWhat will I get for the additional taxes. From the preliminary budget, it looks like more police officers. All we need is more speed traps. If people are expecting more services, what do they expect to get. Public Sewer?? We have everything else and public sewer is too expensive to serve isolated areas with low population. All we need is Benton or Bryant trying to tell us what we can and cannot do on our country property.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#trapsI purposely bought my home in the county. If I had wanted to live in any city, I would have bought there!
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#purposeSimply: I did not move to the country to become part of a city.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#becomeThe present annexation method is GROSSLY unfair.
http://arnet.pair.com/annex/comments3.htm#unfair