Save Annapolis Neck
Before It's Too Late!
It's a common perception that annexation has negative consequences.
Anne Arundel County services are declining while county leadership purposely changed the development rules to limit public input and public review, tried (unsuccessfully) to weaken the steep
slopes rule, etc... This has allowed more sprawl, increasing dependence on the car and is destroying critical environmental areas. And Annapolis Neck is not even on the radar in the Arundel Center due to the 'strong executive' political structure of county government and the size and scope of the county.
Annexation would actually enhance Annapolis Neck.
The Neck needs the checks and balances that only a local, grass roots government run by a council of mayor and aldermen can provide. This is representation of 4,500 citizens / council person in the city versus 72,500 citizens / council person in the county.
Annapolis Neck needs CITY services, planning and control that annexation can provide. This means new city residents:
Will build a livable Annapolis Neck community with a balance of employment, amenities and homes.
Will maintain a clear edge between town and contryside, protecting openspace and encouraging infill development.
Can save existing environmentally sensitive areas from the over development allowed by the county.
Will see more taxes returned to us, not to north or south county.
Will have more input into developer's plans.
Will have quality police and fire protection that respond to local needs.
Give control of Forest Drive to the Annapolis City Council,
not a county leadership that supports unrestrained economic growth and over development.
Will retain our existing City of Annapolis EMS services that provide high quality & low response times.
Will have clean public drinking water and sewage services.
Will still have private community beaches and clubs.
The facts about growth are clear. From 1980 to 2000 Anne Arundel County drove 72% of the population growth on the Annapolis Neck. The city's annexations only accounted for 16% of the growth and the remaining growth was driven by growth within city limits (source: Annexation Work Group Report.) There is only one certain way to preserve land, to either buy it or get an environmental easement by the Scenic River Land Trust.
Opponents to annexation are acting in their own self interest. By trying to limit growth everwhere they are in fact encouraging sprawl and leapfrog development driving their property's value up. They have undertaken writing and lobbying campaigns to the County Executive, the Mayor, and the Capital to further their own focused agenda.
But the larger community needs to be heard too. Contact your legislators, the county and the Annapolis city government. And talk to your neighbors!
Let's get organized and get the city services the Neck deserves.
For further information please contact us at
[email protected].