Organization
Polk Citizens Against Forced Annexation (CAFA)
unofficially has its roots in 2005 when Columbus proposed a
plan to forcibly annex a nearby area. Many citizens joined
together to fight the plan and succeeded in convincing the
Columbus Town Council to abandon involuntary annexation.
Expansion
When rumors surfaced in 2006 that Tryon was secretly making
plans to forcibly annex neighbors, a few people experienced
in the Columbus fight came together for the new battle.
When it became clear, despite Tryon's statements to the
contrary, plans were being made to spring a surprise
annexation resolution. Citizens Against Forced Annexation
was formed. Currently CAFA has approximately 400 members
living in all parts of Polk County.
Engagement
When the Tryon Town Council passed their first Annexation
Ordinance in June 2007, CAFA was organized and ready. CAFA
had already retained Van Winkle Law Firm, the largest NC
law firm west of Charlotte. Our attorney, Craig Justus
specializes in forced annexation cases and has recently won
cases involving the Town of Alexander Mills and the City of
Asheville.
Without explanation or discussion, in January 2008 the
Tryon Council voted to rescind this ordinance. The Town
wasted nearly $100,000 in tax dollars on their flawed
annexation plan.
Unfortunately in February 2008, the Tryon Council decided
to start the annexation process over by voting 3 to 1 to
again forcibly annex a slightly different area.
If you live inside the newly
proposed area, you may be able to become a litigant
in the current action
against Tryon.
Meanwhile, throughout other parts of North Carolina, forced
annexation abuses continue to wreak havoc on many
communities. In response to the cries of outrage from
constituents, the chairman of the North Carolina House of
Representatives has formed the House Select Committee on
Municipal Annexations to review the 1959 Annexation Laws of
North Carolina. This ten member Committee held only one WNC
Hearing. On March 18, forty-seven individuals spoke out
against forced annexation and against the League of
Municipalities' lobbyists who support and promote forced
annexation plans.
You can join help fight forced
annexation in North Carolina too. These Committee members
still want to hear comments, opinions, and concerns of the
public so they can make informed recommendations for
changes to GS-160A. The Committee Members will submit their
interim report on or before May 1, 2008 to the House of
Representatives. Take action and contact them today. Time is running
out.