Residents sued because they expressed opposition to being annexed into city.

[k4kyv]

I often disagree with George Will's political column, but he hit the mark spot-on with this one.

He reports that some Colorado residents who don't want to be annexed into Parker, CO, began trying to persuade their neighbors to oppose annexation. They printed lawn signs and flyers, started an online discussion group and canvassed nearby residents. That action provoked Colorado's speech police, and one proponent of annexation sued them.

Colorado's government stipulates that when two or more people associate to advocate a "political position", and spend more than $200 in doing so, they become an "issue committee" and must register with the government and report to the government the names and addresses of all persons who contribute more than $20, and must even report non-cash contributions such as the magic markers and wooden dowels used to make lawn signs.

http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/will042708.php3

[N4VGB]

WOW! Glad we don't have that here Don. I was one of those that pushed for the legislation that stopped rampant annexation in TN several years ago. I could be in big trouble under the same rules? :(

[NC5P]

Annexation is fascism! Filthy land speculators make millions doing it and the people in the effected area are screwed by city zoning and codes enforcement. In addition, they lose many civil rights to the "municipal corporation" they didn't choose to be a part of.

New Mexico passed a very strong anti-annexation law a few years ago. It only applies to counties over 100,000 which would be Bernalillo and Dona Ana. It requires that both the city council and the (important part) county commission approve it. The county commission doesn't like losing political control over an area so annexations are now rare. In addition, as before at least 50% of the property owners must agree and now they must pass double the hearings and file double the paperwork. The lawyers get twice the money. This was a blessing to us because our house is only 1/4 mile from the city limits. We sleep easier at nights now!

[k4kyv]

In TN, a city used to be able to unilaterally annex surrounding land. A referendum was optional and non-binding.

Clarksville had a referendum decades ago to annex a large area west of the city. County residents overwhelmingly voted it down. A few years later they decided to annex it anyway, this time without any referendum.

The streets in the annexed area still haven't been provided with the side-walks that were promised during the pro-annexation campaign that took place before that referendum, back in the 60's.

[K8ERV]

I think Greg should annex some politicos. On second thot, maybe he should annex ALL politicos.

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo