Tug Of War Over Tax Dollars

Sitting on his front porch in the community where he's lived his whole life, it doesn't take long to figure out what David Edwards thinks about annexation.

"If I never had to leave Semmes again, it'd be fine with me," says Edwards.

Edwards insists while Mobile's plan to add 4,000 people to the city's roster doesn't directly effect Semmes' 18,000 residents, he says it does effect a big chunk of the community's businesses.
The map, released last week by Mayor Jones, cuts an annexation path straight to the Wal-Mart Super Center on Moffett Road, which would have been Semmes only solid tax base if the community one day decided to become its own town.

"He wants the businesses that can put money in his pocket and take the tax base away from the citizens of Semmes, who are the ones who support these businesses," says Juanita Patterson, who also opposes Mayor Jones' plan.

But, the retail giant is one mile from the "Welcome To Semmes" sign, which begs the question... Whose Wal-Mart is it? Mayor Jones said previously he is not opposed to Semmes incorporating their community, but insists businesses at the intersection of Moffett and Schillenger Roads are fair game.

Semmes residents are meeting Tuesday evening to talk about Semmes' incorporation and Mobile's annexation plan. The meeting starts at 6:30pm at Mary G. Montgomery High School.