Annexation opponents speak out at city hearing
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree Against Annexation Businessman Frank Marek, at podium, joined others speaking against the proposed annexation of the Sandy Corners area during City Council's first public hearing Tuesday night in the Civic Center.

Only 14 people signed up to speak during El Campo City Council's first public hearing on proposed annexations - and all of them stood firmly against joining the municipality.

The vast majority - 12 of the 14 - were concerned with the proposed annexation of the Sandy Corner area north on Hwy. 71 South.

In addition to the speakers, residents of the area presented Council with a 52-signature petition opposing the involuntary annexation.

More than 300 notices had been sent to landowners in the areas under consideration and City Council was prepared for a large crowd Tuesday night, setting up 175 chairs in the Civic Center's Duson Room.

Instead, only about 60 arrived to hear comments and concerns.

Mayor Phillip Spenrath opened the meeting stressing that the event was a hearing for the public.

"Nothing was ever intended to be hidden; not open. We want you to speak out," he said.

And leading businessmen in the Hwy. 71 North area did just that.

"Y'all are biting off something that is going to bite this town in the back end," Frank Marek told Council while questioning the effect of municipal sales taxes on his business as well as other economic effects.

He and his fellow businessmen, Marek said, had worked without city assistance to ensure economic development in the area north of town.

"If you are annexing us because you are afraid Taiton is going to come and get us, I'm here to tell you they aren't."

Rocky Hamman told Council his parents had opened a business just north of the city 35 years ago and had since helped put $100 million into the economy.

"If you incorporate, we're probably going to move," he said.

Grover Hargove agreed.

"I don't see where this is going to benefit us. It will be years before we see any benefit," he said. "In my opinion, you are driving business out of El Campo."

Just in lost revenue from rental property used for a fireworks stand, Fred Prihoda said he was looking at losing $15,000 over 10 years. Other rental property would also be effected, he said.

Residents of the Sandy Corner area also expressed concern.

"I object. You are not offering anything I don't already have," Bill Goerig said.

Carolyn Aguilar said she had moved to the El Campo area two years ago.

"I specifically requested property outside the city limits," she said.

For those in the Sunset Terrace area, the costs will be prohibitive, John Huddleston said.

"A lot of them are on a fixed income. Many can't afford the cost to run a water or sewer line. They will have to take out a loan or move," he said.

The hearings are vital for the Council to receive input from the public, Spenrath told those gathered Tuesday.

"We want to hear your side. We are not going to make any decisions until after the hearings," he said.

A second public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, also in the Civic Center's Duson Room. Following public hearings, City Council will debate the merits and concerns of annexing each proposed area with a decision anticipated in December.

Council can opt to annex one or all of the targeted areas or some portion of any of them.

Areas are:

• Area 1: Along Hwy. 71 North bounded by Sandy Corner Road to the west and Wilbur Road to the north while the eastern boundary would the depth of the individual pieces of property.

• Area 3: The 60-acre Sunset Terrace tract off FM 2765 .

• Area 4: A tract south of FM 2765 bounded north by FM 2765, east by Ellwood Street and south by Doris Street.

• Area 5: A 1,000-plus foot wide strip from along East Jackson Street running east to U.S. 59 .

• Area 6: An L-shaped tract both north and south of Jackson Street from South Meadow Lane toward the Rice Belt bridge.