Pope officials amend annexation proposal

By Rupert Howell
Pope town officials voted unanimously to amend their annexation proposal to exclude portions of the plan to the south of Pope which will exclude both China Road and Vasser Road from the original proposal.
Pope Mayor Jamie Howell said prior to the Tuesday night meeting that the area being omitted included locations of those who had expressed opposition to the proposed annexation.
Following routine monthly business at Monday’s meeting at Town Hall, Alderman Tommy Copeland first made the motion to redraw the southern portion of proposed annexation and then made a motion to enlist the services of Slaughter and Associates to work out details with the mapping. Both motions passed unanimously.
The changes follow a May 9 hearing where approximately 20 people, many of whom were there to object to annexation, heard pros and cons of the proposal as explained by urban planner Mike Slaughter and the town’s attorney Tommy Shuler.
A show of hands at the hearing indicated most of those opposing annexation were from the southern portion of the proposal.
Chancery Judge Mitch Lundy continued the May annexation hearing until September 22, when the new lines are expected to be discussed.
Pope’s town board meets the first Monday of each month and include aldermen  Copeland, Ann Mills, Ken Powell, W. T. Rikard and Bonnie Roebuck.
Josh Cobb is town marshall and Tracy Holcomb serves as town clerk.