Video: Annexation Draws Attention at Public Hearing

Will more land and businesses be annnexed into Blue Ridge? That was the focus of a public hearing held by city council August 9th.
Specifically, the purpose of the hearing was to discuss the possible annexation of the Hwy 515 Department of Transportation (DOT) right-a-way north of the city from the Taccoa River up to Highway 60 and south of the existing city limit’s to the Gilmer County line. However, it was also an invitation to other businesses to annex as well and an opportunity for public input.

Several residents attended the hearing as Mayor and council discussed the new plan.

Blue Ridge Mayor Donna Whitener explained at the beginning of the hearing that they were there to talk about the annexation of the Highway 515 DOT right-a-way, adding that this meant businesses in Fannin County would also have the option of annexing into the city limits. However, Whitener informed the crowd annexation into the city limits was just an option for businesses adjacent the right-a-way, not mandatory.

During the meeting, residents William Zachary and Oscar Henry said they opposed the annexation, arguing it might bring expansion to the city limits. Zachary told the council he was afraid that the annexation was just a ploy for the city to bring in more revenue. To do this, Zachary commented that he thought the city might be planning on building more convenient stores, which he said could in return bring in more revenue for the city by selling beer or lottery tickets.

Another citizen, Bob Fuller, was surprised to find out that there would be no vote by the people on the annexation.

“One thing I was surprised about in this meeting is that the people didn’t get the right to vote on the annexation,”

Fuller told FYN, adding,

“In Florida, if you are going to annex any area, every property owner has the opportunity to vote on the annexation… I recognize that some people would be very, very uncomfortable because they don’t get to vote on this issue.”

Fuller and his wife have owned property in Blue Ridge for the last six years and have been residents for the last four years.

Other citizens, though, were in favor of annexation, such as Jessica Ward. Speaking on behalf of Marathon Gas Station in Mineral Bluff, Ward said,

“Our reasoning is…For the first time… we are planning on expanding our business out and building a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise at our truckstop. Being the only franchise in a close proximity, we hope to gain traffic from the Blairesville, Murphy, and Tennessee area.”

Ward went on to say that the increase of traffic flow would help their business. Another plus for the business, she said, would be the extra city police protection the annexation could offer.

Nathan Fitts, of Century 21 in Blue Ridge, also spoke for the annexation of the DOT right away saying,

“I kind of chuckle everytime there is such a fight over the package stores. I deal with a large majority of the people that come in here looking for property. I don’t have anybody who’s looking to move into here to build a package store. It’s normal businesses that are looking to come in here.”

Mayor Whitener told FYN after the meeting that the night’s meeting was only to see how many of the businneses in Blue Ridge were actually interested in being annexed into the city limits.

“We were planning on having two public hearings on the matter before it would be decided in legislation,”

said Whitener.

The Blue Ridge City Council also informed FYN that State House Speaker David Ralston was invited to the meeting, but was unable to attend. Instead, Ralston’s representatives attended the meeting.

To watch the public hearing in its entirety about the possible annexation, please view the video below: