MCLEANSVILLE, N.C. -
Residents in three neighborhoods that could become part of Greensboro on July 1 hope to use the city's financial troubles to stop the annexation.
Four people who live in the affected areas filed a preliminary injunction Monday, claiming Greensboro cannot afford to offer them city amenities like police protection, bus services, a library and street lights. The move could temporarily block the city's forced annexation of 270 homes in the Laurel Park, Whitehurst Village and Heartwood Village neighborhoods.
"With them facing an $11 million budget deficit, they certainly can't afford to come out here," said Lyle Cunningham, one of the four who petitioned the court to stop the annexation.
Municipalities in North Carolina have the right to annex surrounding areas without the consent of the affected residents.
Thomas Mellinger, another plaintiff in the injunction, believes if the city, under budget restraints, can't offer them city services, they shouldn't be able to annex his neighborhood and levy taxes.
"I think if we are paying taxes, I think we're entitled to that (city services," he said. "We are fighting this because of the lack of services. The city is not going to give us services."
Assistant City Manager Denis Turner said the city took everything into consideration before moving forward with annexation sand said the city has the funding needed to provide services to the affected homes.
The court will hear the residents' motion for a preliminary injunction on June 29.
Four people who live in the affected areas filed a preliminary injunction Monday, claiming Greensboro cannot afford to offer them city amenities like police protection, bus services, a library and street lights. The move could temporarily block the city's forced annexation of 270 homes in the Laurel Park, Whitehurst Village and Heartwood Village neighborhoods.
"With them facing an $11 million budget deficit, they certainly can't afford to come out here," said Lyle Cunningham, one of the four who petitioned the court to stop the annexation.
Municipalities in North Carolina have the right to annex surrounding areas without the consent of the affected residents.
Thomas Mellinger, another plaintiff in the injunction, believes if the city, under budget restraints, can't offer them city services, they shouldn't be able to annex his neighborhood and levy taxes.
"I think if we are paying taxes, I think we're entitled to that (city services," he said. "We are fighting this because of the lack of services. The city is not going to give us services."
Assistant City Manager Denis Turner said the city took everything into consideration before moving forward with annexation sand said the city has the funding needed to provide services to the affected homes.
The court will hear the residents' motion for a preliminary injunction on June 29.
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