More than 100 People Show up To Protest "Donut Hole" Annexation
FRANKLIN COUNTY -- More than a hundred Franklin County residents packed the courthouse Wednesday night to protest becoming part of the city of Pasco. They live in the "donut hole" county land surrounded by the City of Pasco.
KEPR has the latest on how the County will proceed.
The line to get in stretched down the stairs. Courtroom seats were packed -- people even sat in the jury box.
One upset donut hole dweller grabbed the mic and said"How many people oppose annexation" the whole room stood up.
Folks are worried if they become part of the city of Pasco they'll lose their country lifestyle; no more acre lots all around and no more livestock and horse operations.
"I want my property the way it is with my horses on it. And if I sell it to somebody with horses they should have that option too," said Mary Beltron.
State law says Pasco only needs Franklin County and the Fire District to agree in order for an annexation to happen. The first step is for all parties to agree to negotiate.
Commissioner Brad Peck said if the county does agree to negotiations, that doesn't mean the citizens will get what they want.
"It does not appear that we can guarantee in perpetuity that you could have a horse farm or continue to be a horse farmer," said Peck.
Pasco says it could annex two large chunks of the donut hole the old fashion way even if the county is not on board. Because a more than 60 % of properties in the donut hole signed an agreement when they hooked up to city water lines saying they wouldn't protest annexation.
But now, some question the legality of those agreements.
"Shouldn't you be protecting us if we're part of the county? From them being able to do that to people? I'm really upset about this!" said Pam Kelly who signed an agreement not to protest annexation. She says the agreement was sprung on her after she bought the property and she didn't feel like she had a choice.
In the end commissioners convinced most residents that if they begin to negotiate with the city, they'll at least have a seat at the table...and may be able to postpone annexation.
After a vote, the County will now move forward with negotiations with the city and fire district. But they assured citizens that they will get more public input before making any agreement on annexation.
"Somehow we need to make the point to the city that we don't want you and there's nothing we gain from it and that we're gonna fight you tooth and nail the whole way through and exhaust every means that we have," said resident Toby Mckay.
The county now has a list of demands from residents and will present them to the city and fire district. They will then hold another public meeting and give residents a chance to decide on being annexed.
Several residents agreed to meet on their own next week to figure out ways to fight the annexation which may include hiring a lawyer.
The area in question would affect about 4,500 citizens.
KEPR has the latest on how the County will proceed.
The line to get in stretched down the stairs. Courtroom seats were packed -- people even sat in the jury box.
One upset donut hole dweller grabbed the mic and said"How many people oppose annexation" the whole room stood up.
Folks are worried if they become part of the city of Pasco they'll lose their country lifestyle; no more acre lots all around and no more livestock and horse operations.
"I want my property the way it is with my horses on it. And if I sell it to somebody with horses they should have that option too," said Mary Beltron.
State law says Pasco only needs Franklin County and the Fire District to agree in order for an annexation to happen. The first step is for all parties to agree to negotiate.
Commissioner Brad Peck said if the county does agree to negotiations, that doesn't mean the citizens will get what they want.
"It does not appear that we can guarantee in perpetuity that you could have a horse farm or continue to be a horse farmer," said Peck.
Pasco says it could annex two large chunks of the donut hole the old fashion way even if the county is not on board. Because a more than 60 % of properties in the donut hole signed an agreement when they hooked up to city water lines saying they wouldn't protest annexation.
But now, some question the legality of those agreements.
"Shouldn't you be protecting us if we're part of the county? From them being able to do that to people? I'm really upset about this!" said Pam Kelly who signed an agreement not to protest annexation. She says the agreement was sprung on her after she bought the property and she didn't feel like she had a choice.
In the end commissioners convinced most residents that if they begin to negotiate with the city, they'll at least have a seat at the table...and may be able to postpone annexation.
After a vote, the County will now move forward with negotiations with the city and fire district. But they assured citizens that they will get more public input before making any agreement on annexation.
"Somehow we need to make the point to the city that we don't want you and there's nothing we gain from it and that we're gonna fight you tooth and nail the whole way through and exhaust every means that we have," said resident Toby Mckay.
The county now has a list of demands from residents and will present them to the city and fire district. They will then hold another public meeting and give residents a chance to decide on being annexed.
Several residents agreed to meet on their own next week to figure out ways to fight the annexation which may include hiring a lawyer.
The area in question would affect about 4,500 citizens.
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