Tips for Fighting Involuntary Annexation

by Stephanie Pivec

1. Protest loudly and involve local media.
2. Involve your local county and state officials. Lobby your representative and senator to support annexation laws that require a vote of the people being annexed and people living in the city annexing. This will also benefit city residents and hold the city accountable for good management. Use the Members' Area to email legislators across the State and tell your neighbors to do the same.
3. Partner with your local emergency services people to become familiar with response times and compare to city's ability to respond comparably.
4. Consult an attorney to follow the process.
5. Develop a quick communication system via e-mail, etc. to notify people at a moment's notice.
6. Argue with facts and figures, not hostile emotions.
7. Involve the residents of the city in lobbying the council to stop this course of action.
8. Meet with different council members in small groups to share your concerns.
9. Stay in touch with other residents across the state through this website, it's Forum and it's Members' Area so we can lobby as a statewide citizens group in legislature, demanding protection from unfair annexation laws.
10. Do not stop fighting! Stay in the fight until the end.