All CAFA Members  Each of us have our own story about why we should not be annexed.
Here is a good Question and Answer format to help you explain it to others. 
This is why we fight local and state level.  Thank you:
James D. Manuel
287 Area               Lonesome Dove Estates
701 Lonesome Prairie Trl
Haslet, Texas 76052
817-439-0780    Ph# 817-763-2923
F/A-22 Raptor
QA Analyst
Ft Worth, Texas

My voice concerning forced annexation  (e-mailed to state legislators and city council).

For the part several years I have been witness to many city counsel annexation policy meetings which usually last over 2 hours. I have listened as well as others, to people who have poured out their hearts against forced annexation. Some spoke of land that had been in the family for many, many years. Some spoke of putting their life savings into retiring in the country; and some spoke on behalf of many others who could not attend. All questioned why the City needed to annex their property and burden them with a 30% or more increase in taxes and service fees while not providing any service that they didn't already have. The City Counsel and their representatives listened (some not paying attention) which in-turn leads me to believe these meetings are just being held because of state law.  Since this large scale annexation is still taking place obviously the city of Ft Worth plans to proceed undaunted by any emotional outpouring or by rural/county citizen’s objections. These meetings are just a formality on their march to increase the size of Ft Worth by the maximum allowed by law at this time (more annexations are to come in the future). Seems we cannot ever escape the long arm of Ft Worth’s reach. Sure seems to be good policy if you are running for re-election, alienate hundreds or thousands of new voters. With the way voting is these days, low turn out and elections being won by a few votes, makes since to me "NOT", (good change you will not be re-elected). Maybe that is what it will take to end Forced Annexation, vote in new elected officials. Thousands of affected citizens have joined others around the state who were willing to work against this egregious indifference to our rights and have been speaking out now for several years. Just yesterday (1/2/04) there was a TV report (Channel 8) that reported, there are at least 60 sites around the city of Ft Worth that has flooding problems (which is a safety hazard). The cost to fix the problems was reported to be over 1 billion dollars. This cost is not financially obtainable by the city. So why does the City of Ft Worth still need to annex more areas, when they cannot fix there current problems. Seems to be a morally, financially miss guided city government. Being bigger is not always better.
Q: Why does the city of Ft Worth want to annex so much land?
A: At the present time forced annexation has been reduced by Ft Worth but I have yet to hear a good reason for even annexation of this much acreage. From the City's side, the most straightforward response to that question was, "The law lets us do it. If you don't like it, change the law." It’s an Arrogant, Un-American and Un-Texan answer but honest. Another set of words used by cities is "These areas use our services and do not pay for them". Hey elected officials, we all use each others services. How many of your dollars are from the State and Federal Government? If any of it is then I have paid for them. With that logic, we must all pay when we travel to another city so to use its services. Such as traveling to Dallas, Arlington, North Richland Hills, Grapevine and etc for Sporting games, Shopping, Dinner, Nightlife, Motels, Water parks, parks and even just driving on there streets. My sub-division adjoins next to the City of Haslets city limits. Most residents use Haslets services since as parks, roads and the volunteer fire department (which is doing a great job and is only 1 mile or so from my home). We also are a part of the community of Haslet and not Ft Worth and wish not to be. At least give us the right to vote which city if any we want to live in.
Q: Why are we (CAFA members and some others) opposed to Ft Worth’s proposed annexation?
A: We object to areas of this annexation where rural residents are being forced against their will inside the city. Their taxes will go up 30% and their quality of life will go down. Some will be forced to sell. If the City of Ft Worth raised the taxes of the current residents by 30% I can guarantee that it would put an end to voter apathy. We have no voice or vote on the City Council. City Council members (several in favor of forced annexation) and an ink pen is all that is required to drastically change our lives. Ft Worth does not have the resources to take care of the current city. Many Ft Worth residents oppose this sprawling growth because their quality of life will also go down. The City's service plan for the annexed area calls for additional police, firemen, road crews, and etc, but at what cost to the current residence. They plan to dilute what they have for an area that will now stretch from the far north, south and west of Tarrant County. They think forced annexations should continue, even though current county residents will have DECREASED services due to annexation by their nearest city. Hey County Commissioners are you listening? You and many other county employees may not have jobs if you are in the city and the county no longer controls the streets in rural areas. Thus, less county roads and rural areas to be serviced, and patrolled by the Sheriff Dept. Voluntary or County funded fire and ambulance services will be decreased or not needed.
Q: Are you and members of your group in general opposed to all annexation for Ft Worth?
A: Their are some areas currently being developed that would benefit the City and the land owners. When both sides benefit, annexation makes economic and moral sense. Not all areas need to be annexed and these areas will not benefit or need city services.
Q: A city is required by law to have open meetings to obtain citizen's input prior to annexation. At several meetings people have asked why the city was not letting people vote on the annexation. I wonder about that too. What reasons have city officials given?
A: To my knowledge, the City has never responded to that question. That would be a tough one to "spin." The meetings are always stacked on the cities side and not forced annexed citizens, (they really do not listen). I have not heard of any county/rural citizens input that is being used by the city counsel concerning forced annexations.
Q: Texas legislation (Senate Bill 89) 1999 would allow residents in a proposed annexation area certain negotiating rights and would place some additional requirements on what cities must do to annex. However, it would not stop them from annexing. What's in this legislation? How will it affect the proposed Ft Worth annexation plans?
A: For the most part the changes are cosmetic; cities have to give 3 years notice of their intent to annex and they have to bring full services by 3 years instead of the current 4 1/2 years. It doesn't mean much to us. There is still no right to vote. The power remains with the city councils and not residents. We need a better Bill to give the power back to Texas residences that are being forced into cities, and not by their free will.
Q: What can people do to help or get involved if they are concerned about Forced annexation plans?
A: First join others in your community and state in fighting forced annexation and get in touch with your elected officials and voice your concerns. In my opinion this issue is no longer about annexation any more than the Boston Tea Party was about tea. Annexation is now the venue that speaks to the heart of the democratic process. If you tax us, force us to live in "your" city, force us to comply with your ordnances then we must have to right to vote where we wish to live.