“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”
- George Washington

In a representative form of government, we are not electing shepherds to watch over us as if we were their flock of sheep to do what they alone deem to be appropriate for us. They are elected to represent the will of the people who elected them. It is their job then to find out what that will is and strive to achieve it. If the town of Maggie Valley wants to grow, then the majority of the townspeople needs to voice that desire to their leaders. If the townspeople like the town as it is and simply want to be left alone, then the leaders should respect that sentiment as well. Certainly, they are encouraged to persuade the townspeople toward their own ideology, but not by forcing them. Too many elected officials today believe they were elected to go run the show. It’s time Americans took their power back at all levels of government, starting with their town and county governments.

Forcing taxation on an American citizen who has no political voice in the matter is un-American. Period. It smacks more of communism than of a republic and is far more likely to be found in the doctrine of the Communist Manifesto than in the United States Constitution.

A lack of understanding
We are opposed to the forced annexation in Maggie Valley because we don’t understand the goal. We don’t understand what the benefits are, for us and for the town. Not because we are ignorant or uninformed, but because the town leaders have utterly failed to make their case and explain what their purpose is, and to what mutual benefit there is for annexation, other than the feeble statement: “Well, if we don’t grow, we’ll become stagnant.”

They have made vague references to the need for added police protection (a dubious claim), additional street maintenance (but not really since most of the streets in question do not meet DOT standards and therefore will not be covered by town maintenance), and sewer service (a stinking lie). They are not implementing new sewer service for most of the forcibly annexed citizens. They sat and waited and let them bear the cost of installing their own sewer system, then moved in to annex them after the fact. For those not currently near sewer, they propose some sort of fee-based maintenance program in which they would require oversight of the operation and service of privately owned septic systems. Right. Water and fire service are non-issues because the town does not provide these services.

The government of the Town of Maggie Valley has utterly failed to make their case but have pressed onward, completely ignoring the opposition, simply because they want more money (the real reason has yet to be learned), and because, as Alderman Roger McElroy stated (paraphrased), because we can. It’s legal, and if you have a problem with that take it up with your state legislator.

Being “legal” does not make it right, sir. And what is currently legal in North Carolina - hostile annexation - is illegal in 42 other states. Although North Carolina law allows them to implement hostile annexation, the whole concept goes against liberty under the U.S. Constitution. Taxation without representation is unconstitutional. Confiscation of property (taxes are a portion of the value of your property, confiscated year after year forever) is also unconstitutional.

Follow the money
So what could the real reason be for forced annexation? It’s not more police. I think Maggie Valley, with some 600 full-time residents, is not exactly experiencing a crime wave. The addition of another 450 residents - two-thirds of which are not full-time residents - will probably not trigger a new crime wave. There are currently 6 police officers, representing about 1 per 100 residents. I’ve seen prisons with lower ratios.

It’s not streets. Maggie Valley provides minimal service to a fraction of the streets and roads in the area - at an annual cost of $244,305 for maintaining those 3,485 feet (0.66 miles) - and has no immediate plans to take on any more streets and roads (thank goodne$$!).

It’s not sewer. For the most part they are only annexing areas that have already paid to put in their own sewers. They are not planning to add any new lines on their nickel. They also want to control private septic systems.

It’s not water service or fire protection.

What then?
The only thing I have come up with is their pet project called the Greenway. This $1 million project is intended to beautify Maggie Valley and make travelers want to stop and stroll the walkways along Jonathan Creek instead of bustling through town and heading for the casino. While it’s a great idea on paper, who is going to pay for it? And who will really benefit from it? I don’t see hundreds of Maggie Valley residents marching up and down the recently installed sidewalks they just bought. I bet I won’t see them using the Greenway en masse either. So who will use it? Why, the people who are staying at the motels along U.S. 19 that are next to it. Is it coincidental that at least two of the five members of the board have motels along that stretch?

Frankly, I believe the town leaders are looking out for their own interests, not for the general welfare of the citizens of Maggie Valley. And they propose to do it on the backs of every citizen they can annex and start collecting taxes from. (Did you know there are several additional proposed phases of annexation planned after this one? They are not finished by any means. You may be next.).

Community unity
My wife and I moved to Maggie Valley a few years ago to escape the corporate world, the crowds, the traffic, the crime, and the growth in a town whose politics had gone mad. We bought a place that was not inside town limits because that’s where we wanted to live — in the country. (Hello?)

I am offended at Mayor Ralph Wallace’s remarks that “it’s about time the people started carrying their share to support the town.” He stated that those against the annexation were asking “What’s the town going to do for me for my tax money?” His response: “You should be asking what you can do for us.”
Our business here has brought hundreds of tourists to Maggie Valley who have spent tens of thousands of dollars in local Maggie Valley restaurants, shops and attractions. Most other residents also support the town’s businesses. In fact, the town benefits immensely from the influx of money.

I will not sit by and let a few elected officials bulldog me to serve their own purposes. You wanted community unity? You’ve got it. The citzens-turned-subjects are going to fight you. The citizens in other proposed annexation areas need to join with us to stop this “growth” by annexation and taxation. The victims of previous forced annexations should join us as well. Together we can stop this usurpation of our freedom so we can enjoy our lives here, living and working together in the nice quiet community that is Maggie Valley.

Larry Wright
Maggie Valley

 

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