By Staff
NO ANSWERS Marion resident Joyce Arrington, second from right, discusses the city's annexation plans Tuesday night outside Marion Town Hall. Arrington, Clay Garrett, left, and Guy Howard, right, attended the Marion Board of Aldermen meeting to let city officials know they oppose annexation plans. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
Nov. 14, 2001
Many of the 30 Lauderdale County and Marion residents who crammed the city's town hall Tuesday night left angry when Marion officials didn't answer questions about their annexation plans.
Instead, Marion Mayor Malcolm Threatt and the Board of Aldermen discussed the issue in a closed meeting sending residents into the frigid breezeway in front of Marion Town Hall.
There, some residents voiced outrage.
Marion, Meridian and Lauderdale County are locked in a heated fight over Marion's proposal to annex part of Lauderdale County. The case is headed to Chancery Court, with a trial date set for Dec. 10.
Marion city leaders say they need to add more land to the town. Some Lauderdale County residents, including members of Concerned Citizens of North Lauderdale, say the annexation is not necessary.
Opponents jammed Marion Town Hall looking for answers at the Tuesday night Board of Aldermen meeting. But city attorney Tom Goldman made it clear city leaders wouldn't talk.
After city leaders ended their closed meeting and re-opened the session to the public, residents who attended had a chance to speak to Marion officials. But their questions still weren't answered.
Residents, though, left angry including Arrington, whose mother owns land on Highway 45 that the city may annex. If they do, she said, then her mother would be forced to pay city property taxes in addition to county property taxes.
Fredie Carmichael is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3228, or e-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.