Anyone Got a Towel?

Egg On Its Face

The notion that a city can annex property that technically belongs to another governmental agency is ludicrous on its face. There are no residents to approve or disapprove and the annexing government has no obligation to provide services or improve the annexed area in any way. It just boggles the imagination to think that this device will work but, in this down the rabbit hole county it seems to be perfectly acceptable.

Both Burnside and Ferguson have employed this tactic to garner territory with no other purpose than to keep any other city from doing so. At least, with the annexation of U.S. 27 North of Burnside there was an offer to provide businesses with a legal liquor license. That was sufficient motivation to induce consent. But Ferguson annexed the right of way of the 914 bypass but no property held by private landowners thereby accepting no risk and offering no reward. Burnside is forging ahead to annex areas of 914, KY. 1247 and KY 2247 thereby creating an area within these boundaries that cannot be annexed by any other city. This has created an imbroglio in which the residents of those encircled properties cannot choose to be annexed by any other city because they can't be considered contiguous to any other city. Just try to figure that out.

It is ridiculous on its face to think that nobody other than the residents of those cities have to approve or disapprove of those actions. I have no objection to cities annexing any property they wish as long as it includes the residents and businesses affected who can make their judgment as to whether or not it is in their best interests. This is what Mayor Girdler and some of the City Council attempted to do with the recently defeated annexation proposal. Somerset was attempting to annex an area that included people who would actually receive services and presumably pay taxes in return. The move would have increased the population of the city to about 20,000 and changed its status to a second class city thereby bringing additional benefits. It was a give and take relationship with advantages and disadvantages but some on the City Council did not think it prudent for the city to take on additional responsibilities in an uncertain future. Well, think again! The future is always uncertain and the present conundrum is proof of that.

Perhaps Science Hill could annex US 27 down to the Somerset city limits and along Racetrack Road and back up KY 2247 and keep that area secure from ever becoming part of Somerset. And watch out. Eubank could decide to head south! It is just ridiculous but it seems to meet legal requirements.

I don't fault the vision of the city of Burnside to grow. I think it is admirable that there is a city in Pulaski County that actually has a vision of the future and something different to offer. Their move to annex is apparently legal and a pretty shrewd move that leaves Somerset with egg on its face. I would like to see Burnside grow into the Gatlinburg of Lake Cumberland and that city may just have the vision to do so but it needs to take a few chances and be a bit bolder concerning its obligations to the people impacted by its vision.

Somerset is a city rich with tradition and advantages with many services to offer future residents. There are city police and fire services, natural gas, sewage disposal, schools and all of the things that living in a city can bring. The one thing Somerset lacks is a vision for the future. I speak of the city as a whole because there are some elements that have that vision and it is sorely needed. I have often said that a vibrant county needs a vibrant city and Somerset has always been expected to be that city. However, the timidity of the City Council may expose that to be a false expectancy. Perhaps it will be Burnside that will fill the bill. Burnside certainly has a few advantages having the area adjacent to Lake Cumberland as a draw. Somerset is presumably prevented from annexing to the shores of Lake Cumberland by the annexation by Burnside of the shoreline around to Lee's Ford Dock. Pretty smart. In a single move Somerset was prevented from benefiting from tourist dollars generated by businesses and residents along that shoreline.

Just because it is now doesn't mean that the shoreline of Lake Cumberland will always be as inaccessible to businesses and residents. Just witness the developments upstream on the South Fork. It is necessary for a vibrant city with a vision to look farther into the future than the next election.

Some of our neighbors are content to allow the area to mosey along in the tradition of the 1950s but if a city is not moving ahead it is dying. There is enormous potential in this area if the people and especially the community leaders unite to seize that opportunity rather than just rest on past and forgotten glories.

My take on annexation and its propriety. Do you have any opinions to offer?