To the Editor:

Open letter to Doug Arbogast, council and Mayor Peoples:

First of all, Doug, I applaud your new decision to oppose involuntary annexation for the Town of Tryon. This having been said, I have some concerns to share with you and the other Tryon leaders.

First: Please read or re-read the Town of Tryon vision statement. It spells out the goal of making Tryon an appleaing, livable, harmonious community…with courtesy, integrity, fairness, honesty, open communication and accountability. I hope that each of you is in agreement with this statement and will treat each other with respect, regardless of your differences on issues.

Second: Those of you who have supported involuntary annexation have focused almost exclusively on the financial aspect and the wish to increase the tax base. You also cite the extant N.C. law which allows for involuntary annexation. Neither of these factors speaks to the moral issue of justice for those who do not wish to be annexed. Law and justice do not always coincide. Where they differ, the humane thing to do is stand on the side of justice. Or to act, as is so clearly stated in the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance: with liberty and justice for all.

In the 1930s as a leader in a European country decided that he could best aid his chosen compatriots by involuntarily annexing other peoples property. The U.S. and other countries fought a war to defeat that action. Involuntary annexation of other peoples property was wrong then and it is wrong now. That is the moral reason for opposition, whatever the financial issues may be.

Thank you for hearing my concerns.

Katharine Smith