Home | Editorials | The Battle for Property Rights Showdown on Tuesday, Nov. 25

The Battle for Property Rights Showdown on Tuesday, Nov. 25

By Editor 11/13/2008 09:31:00

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Every day should be an appreciation day for those who fought valiantly for our freedoms, and nothing further exemplifies this as what is happening in Midlothian right now: hundreds of taxpayers who have the City of Midlothian on all sides will be incorporated – despite their objections – on Tuesday, Nov. 25 if the city council has their way.

Conveniently, those living in Tracts A and B will have their final forum that night.

We can argue about the public policy issue for cities, but one must actually understand the reasoning for cities to commit such a controversial decision: on one hand, the state Legislature created municipal corporations to act, operate and do business like the private-sector corporations we have today.

The one big change is that cities can – by statute – annex land, even if those who are to be annexed oppose it.

The public policy issue is not at debate here.

If people want to get cities’ annexation abilities changed, contact state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, who recently won re-election with 85 percent of the vote: reppitts@yahoo.com.

This paper stands in complete unity with those in Midlothian and elsewhere who are fighting annexation and who have fought annexation.

Right vs. wrong: is it right to take someone else’s land without their permission? No. That’s morally wrong.

But public policy says it’s ok. Regardless of what the laws say, incorporating residents’ land without their permission – upon a vote of a body that these taxpayers did not have a say in electing – is not only morally wrong, it should be outright illegal (Rep. Pitts, are you listening?)

Thankfully, at least one councilman gets it. Ken Chambers is an ardent supporter of Constitutional rights and individual liberties.

Columnist Duff Hale, whose writings grace these editorial pages each week, will be one of those annexed victims if Chambers’ colleagues vote the other way (and by all current accounts, that will in fact happen.)

"I have stood firm on my belief that forced annexation is constitutionally and morally wrong," Chambers said on his Web site, KenChambers.net.

"It is unacceptable for a city to forcibly annex individuals under city government control without an opportunity to vote. I will not support forced annexation on Nov. 25, 2008.

"I am hoping residents of Tracts A and B will attend the council meeting on Nov. 25, 2008, and voice their opposition.

"This is an opportunity to stand up for your constitutional rights and express your feeling to Mayor [Boyce] Whatley and council, about being forced into the city against your will.

"There will be no other opportunity to voice your concerns if this annexation is passed."

Taxpayers of Tracts A and B, The Ellis County Press stands with you in your fight against this morally wrong annexation.

Mayor

Boyce Whatley

836 Nueces Trail

Midlothian, TX 76065

972-723-2425

Councilman Place 1

Dusty Fryer

211 Meadowbrook Ln.

Midlothian, TX 76065

972-723-8140