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Predatory Incorporation Tactics?
By now you have probably heard the group Citizens for the Future of High Ridge use the term "predatory incorporation tactics" many times. What does this mean? The term "Predator" means "one that preys, destroys or devours". This group would have you believe that it pertains to anybody but themselves. They use it to refer to the proposed City of Sugar Creek Hills (SCH) incorporation initiative and the City of Byrnes Mill. However, based on information that I have received from others regarding their experience with those representing the group Citizens for the Future of High Ridge (CFHR), I believe that they (CFHR) have been misleading the public to enlist signatures for two petitions. Unfortunately, these petitions will likely come before the voters on a future ballot. CFHR is completely pitted against the other pro-incorporation group behind the City of Sugar Creek Hills, claiming that Sugar Creek Hills will annex most of High Ridge. Note that we are equally opposed to SCH. People who were asked to sign the CFHR petitions have said that CFHR is claiming that Byrnes Mill is proactively attempting to annex beyond their existing boundaries to include the 63049 zip code. In both cases, CFHR is labeling either a proposed city (Sugar Creek Hills) or an existing city (Byrnes Mill) as "predators". In the first case, the group petitioning to incorporate Sugar Creek Hills has initially proposed a much less aggressive boundary than the entire 63049 zip code. And, in the second case, Byrnes Mill has not had on their agenda to annex the 63049 zip code. The group Citizens for the Future of High Ridge has made it clear that they want to incorporate the majority of the 63049 zip code. So, who is the predator? Because I believe they have been outwardly misleading High Ridge residents, in my book that means they are preying on people. They hope to incorporate the 63049 zip code so that no one else will. In my book that means devour. So who's the predator?! In essence the group Citizens for the Future of High Ridge is trying to convince you that, although High Ridge will be a city, it won't be like other cities. Yeah, right! Brian Haskins, President of the Citizens for the Future of High Ridge, has admitted to many people he wants to be mayor. The other members are a handful of people, many of them businessmen in the High Ridge area who, it is reasonable to suspect, have future political or financial opportunity that they believe will result from incorporation. For instance, cities solicit contracts for services and pass legislation that certain businesses will stand to profit from. So, of course, some businesses will be in favor of incorporation. But note that all businesses will be subject to city taxation. It has been said that it will cost nothing to incorporate . . . however there is nothing to substantiate this. There is not enough business revenue to support a city without charging homeowners all sorts of taxes. In addition, many businesses have been closing in the High Ridge area. See Nelson Weber's presentation resulting from a 10 city study. It is imperative that you understand that you have the right to vote against
any city attempting to annex your property. Cities don't have the right to
arbitrarily make your property part of their boundary via an executive decision.
However, if the majority of the people in a proposed annexation vote for the
annexation, then all property in the proposed annex becomes part of the city.
SO YOU MUST VOTE IT DOWN. This is why you must vote and VOTE NO! Be involved, stay involved and vote. Cities charge taxes on utilities and property, continually raise taxes, pass limiting ordinances, require occupancy inspections when renting homes, require annual pet licenses, require permits for certain activities, etc. The never-ending bureaucracy will seek to place limits on many activities you routinely participate in today. A prime example is the use eminent domain and other legalistic measures to ensure compliance with their proposals, such as sewers. Cities create a massively redundant bureaucracy that duplicates services already provided by Jefferson County or are completely unnecessary. Meanwhile, your taxes continue to be paid to the County. In other words . . . all bureaucracy is compounding. You pay federal taxes, state taxes, County taxes, and finally (if you live in a city) city taxes. This means that you owe taxes to four different entities. There won't be any reduction in County taxes if a city is incorporated. Additionally, there would be a city police department that will find any excuse to issue tickets to meet quotas -- especially at the end of the month. Did you know cities actually budget fines as revenue!? This means that what is budgeted is expected to be collected. Cities always deny they have quotas, but if it is in the budget, it is a quota. For example, the 2007 Byrnes Mill budget for Municipal Court Fines is $297,000. The 2008 budget has been adjusted to $320,000, which is an increase of 7.74%. What will the High Ridge or Sugar Creek Hills budgets be for Municipal Court Fines should they incorporate? For further information on cities and operating expenses, click on Facts & Figures and view the Town Hall Presentation. This writer doesn't believe city incorporation should be based on political aspirations or financial motivations. Nor should a city be created for its own sake. Neither incorporation group vying for your vote can give you any solid reason to incorporate. For example, Mr. Haskins was asked in more than one session of the public town hall meetings (by several people) to give any reason why he wanted a city. In the first session, he declined to give any reason and walked out. In a later session, he spoke briefly off topic and still could not provide any reason. So at least one person concluded that it must be for the benefit of the few, at the expense of the many! |
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