LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

City should wait to annex

Editor, the Leader-News:

Since I was the last speaker at the public meeting on annexation, I felt that what I had to say was not heard nor comprehended by the City Council. So I would like to reiterate a few things that I learned both nights.

My hat goes off to the council for three decisions. 1. They asked the residents of areas considered for annexation if they wanted to be annexed. 2. They offered water and sewer services within 2 1/2 to 3 years which is the law. 3. And if forced to annex, they would not have to pay for the feeder lines to their property nor pay taxes until the water and sewer services are installed. I believe that these decisions apply to my property also.

My biggest question is: "Why does the city want to annex more property and offer all these things, when they have not fulfilled their obligations to those who were forcibly annexed about six years ago? The same law applies.

About eight years ago, I moved a building on to my property in the country, just inside the freeway and in the southeast sector of El Campo area. It was to be a family business. With limited funds, I began improving this building, but as funds lagged, so did the work. About twoyears later the city forcibly annexed my property, to include about 3 miles of the freeway from the east overpass to Highway 71, my troubles tripled.

I was told that I had to comply with city ordinances. I had to strip the whole building electrically and do other structural things to get permit work done. Then when I asked for my water and sewer hookups, I was told by the public works director and later the city manager that the emphasis was to develop the northwest sector.

Any work that I wanted done would be out of pocket. And even if the city did it, I would have to pay for both feeder lines. Since I can see the city septic plant from my property and water is within 600 feet, I felt that this approach was not fair. I talked with several mayors and a different city manager about this, but to no avail. To this very date, I have not seen 1 foot of water or sewer line installed to, under or along the annexed freeway on either side. In addition, I have been required to pay city taxes for years.

I have heard for years that the City wants businesses, yet they do not try to help businesses get established. Instead it forces costly ordinances and unnecessary costs on residents and businesses already in place. I have known all the Council members (except the mayor) for many years and know that they are people who have a good heart and are fair. I hope that they will delay any further action on their proposed annexation plan until the areas already annexed have received the services required by law.

I did not move my building into the city, I was forced into annexation, and the unwarranted costs to change a building in place to conform to city requirements has delayed my building from being a business.

I would hope that the City Council can see this injustice and deannex my property so I can get something going towards a business. Thank you.

Merrill Adamcik

Scammers selling bogus map

Editor, the Leader-News:

Your El Campo Chamber of Commerce asks local businesses to please be on the lookout for a company called Referral Publications which is selling an animated map of El Campo. We've determined it is a scam. If for any reason the salesman appears in your business, have someone contact the police so they can come and question him. If you have already given him a check you may want to place a stop payment if it has not cleared.

There was a company a couple of years ago that came into town and was selling the same type of product which was a scam. They were requiring one-half down and said they would get back in a week with a proof and you never saw them again.

I have contacted the Better Business Bureau and they have no record of Referral Publications located at 1501 A. West 16th Street 186 in Houston. The phone number on the business card goes to a cell phone and not to a company.

Anytime someone is selling in the community they should have a city permit tag on them, unless they are representing the Chamber of Commerce. We try to send notification to each Chamber member letting them know that a salesperson from the company we are doing business with will be in contact with them.

If for any reason it is not in this form, please contact us so that we can investigate the business to make sure it is a legitimate operation.

Becca Socha Chamber President