More local involuntary annexation

I have pretty much made my views clear on involuntary annexation by municipalities. As a matter of fact, next week's LaPlante's Rants column will be on that very topic. I do not support involuntary annexation in most cases. There are a few in which it makes sense and is fair, but certainly not all. It seems that towns are competing for property to annex, for ETJ (extra-territorial jurisdiction) area, and working to expand tax base and square mileage. Clayton, Wilson's Mills, and Selma are all working on new ETJ plans, which is the prelude to more annexation.

I see that the Town of Smithfield has a sizeable involuntary annexation campaign going on right now. From WMPM's web site:

59 Parcels Identified For Forced Annexation - The Smithfield Town Council is seeking to involuntary annex 59 tracts of land off Highway 301 South and near the US70/I-95 interchange. The largest, 55 parcels, is from US301 at Galilee Road south to Holts Lake . The involuntary annexation includes Holt Lake Barbecue , Holt Lake Wildlife Taxidermy, Blackmon’s Mobile Home Park , and the Johnston County School Bus Garage. The annexation does not include the Huntington Ridge Subdivision off Country Club Road , which had previously been considered for annexation several years ago. Four businesses near the US70/I-95 interchange are also being considered for forced annexation. They include the Village Inn, Village Restaurant, Tobacco Shop, and the Johnston County Board of Education Central Office. Another 43 acres of land will be annexed voluntarily. Frank and Tina Lee are asking that 33 acres of land on Galilee Road be annexed, along with a 10-acre tract on US70 at Yelverton Grove Road owned by East Carolina Farm Credit (ECFC). ECFC has also submitted preliminary site plans to build a new office at that location. Public hearings on the voluntary annexations will take place in March and in April on the involuntary annexations.