The Answer: NO

Does a need exist in the community for the proposed land to be annexed? This is one of the 6 criteria that the city council uses to decide whether land outside of the city gets annexed into the city. The city council has been struggling with this annexation for more than 9 years. They rejected the annexation 4 times. Not much has changed.

At the July 21, 2003 Stayton City Council Meeting, councilors voted 2-2. The mayor broke the tie with a yes vote. The process drew criticism from citizens and from the Stayton Mail’s August 20, 2003 “We say…”editorial. The reason for approval seemed to be unanswered by the councilors. What need existed for the approval?

The city historically focused on two issues in regard to need. One was if there was a problem to be fixed and that created a need for the land to be annexed. There isn’t an argument focused on the need to fix a problem only for enhancing infrastructure. The other issue was if there was a need to provide housing and annexing the land would satisfy that need. The applicant’s summary from the July 21, 2003 Stayton City Council meeting minutes states: “…if the need was solely based on housing need, this application probably doesn’t meet the requirement.”

You, the citizens of Stayton have expressed concern over growth in our community and the effect it has and will have on our schools and city services. As a citizen of Stayton, I am concerned too. We do not need this annexation.

The cost of perpetual maintenance to streets, water lines, police and other services would be ours.

There doesn’t seem to be any problems to be fixed or housing need, only the desire to develop this property.

We have the final voice.

I urge you to vote NO on this annexation.

(This information provided by Steven H. Frank)