City Council Approves Annexation Plan

Fire Marshals turned dozens of people away, after the auditorium at Mobile's Government Plaza reached its capacity.

More than 300 people showed up to voice their opinions about Mayor Sam Jones' controversial annexation plan.

"Is it fair or is it dividing the community in ways that are not necessary," questioned Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran, who joined at least nine other elected officials blasting the proposal.

"If you thought it was so important to this community, why didn't you communicate with the whole community instead of just 4,000 people," asked Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine.

Larry Wettermark, attorney for the city of Mobile, says the Mayor's plan, which seeks to annex four areas including parts of Theodore/ Tillman's Corner and part of Moffett Road, is fair, despite allowing a few select neighbors to determine the fate of dozens of rapidly growing businesses.

"Our annexation proposal is based on the laws of Alabama," says Mayor Jones, who insists he is not obligated to allow people opposed to his plan to have a vote. "People who want to be in the city then we want to give them the opportunity to vote. People who don't want to be in the city, why would we force them to vote," says the Mayor.

But, Senator Ben Brooks, who represents residents both inside and outside the city limits, says just because it's legal doesn't mean it's ethical.

"You're not annexing just the taxes of those people that want to come in. Your annexing the taxes of thousands of people without a voice in the direction of that government," said Brooks.

Nonetheless, the Mobile City Council voted unanimously to authorize a special election on the annexation proposal. It is now up to Probate Judge Don Davis to set the date for the election. Only residents inside the annexation lines will be allowed to vote.