The Ellis County Press: The Battle for Property Rights Showdown on Tuesday, Nov. 25

The Battle for Property Rights Showdown on Tuesday, Nov. 25
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Editor on 11/13/2008 09:31:00


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
Councilman Place 2
Bill Houston
5210 Compassion Ct.
Midlothian, TX 76065
972-775-8099
Councilman Place 3
Ken Chambers
1711 Windswept Dr.
Midlothian, TX 76065
972-775-6571
Councilman Place 4
Joe Frizzell
6461 Peak View Ct.
Midlothian, TX 76065
972-723-2316
Councilman Place 5
Wayne Sibley
1691 Mt. Zion Rd.
Midlothian, TX 76065
972-723-2680
Councilman Place 6
Steve Massey
2050 Mockingbird Ln.
Midlothian, TX 76065
972-775-6917