To the Editor:

I am thankful that your newspaper gracefully allows the opinions of your readers to use the pulpit to express their views about most topics. In recent editions I have read with great interest the arguments for and against annexation by the Town of Tryon.

I selfishly claim to be the strongest advocate of property rights of anyone in the General Assembly of North Carolina. You see, I am a veteran of the Viet Nam era and served proudly to protect the rights of others to have a say in how government will treat their citizens. Many of my fellow military enlistees gave the ultimate sacrifice so people will have a voice in how a government will operate.

Involuntary annexation without the consent of the people is the most egregious event that can happen in what we call a free and democratic society. It seems that every level of government is forgetting that it gets its authority from we the people.

Your recent article extolling pro annexation flavor seems just like the textbook sponsored by the NCLM. I know a little about annexation because I served 18 years in municipal government and have been on both sides of the issue.

Your fine mayor has many valid concerns. He has stated that many people have suggested that they would want to be a part of the town and the town will lose that potential revenue.

My suggestion would be for all those who wish to be a part of the beautiful town of Tryon to voluntarily annex their property by petition. This will make the property owners happy and create a windfall tax relief to the coffers of the town with little added expense. They can even sign off on not requiring services. There are even satellite annexation possibilities which require 100 percent voluntary petitions.

I offer the mayor and the town any service that I might be able to provide from my experiences.

Larry R. Brown