Exceptional Leadership on Behalf of Townspeople?

Blog Post Submitted by Guest Blogger, Anissa Hastings

Mayor Negotiates With Petitioners

Residents Get Stuck With $11K Bill

Dear Mount Airy Friends and Residents,

You are so generous! You just freely “gave” each of the 197 residents South of I-70 for the failed annexation $57.00 of your own money! Mayor Rockinberg, Councilman David Pyatt and Petitioner Skip Colvin who made the back door hand shake agreements, also thank you, the Mount Airy Taxpayer, for your generosity and will be taking the money right out of your pocket.

He assumed you would not mind paying the bill since the Petitioners decided they did not want to pay. 

In today's Gazette article Skip Colvin said the Mayor showed “exceptional leadership in his efforts on behalf of the townspeople and all of the citizens of Mount Airy to reach this settlement.”

Really?

I suppose since the Mayor saved Mr. Colvin $11,000, of course he would say he showed exceptional leadership. But where's the Mayor's leadership and representation of the people who actually live in Town and pay Town taxes? 

I didn't have a say. I didn't get to vote. I am upset that the Mayor gave greater consideration to his friends, the Petitioners rather than to me, the taxpayer he is supposed to protect and represent.

For the record Wendi Peters and David Blais went to bat for the Mt. Airy tax payers. They believe the Petitioners should pay their bill in full and in fact, uncovered their knowledge and ability to pay in full through the documents finally released in a PIA request. (originally requested by Mount Airy Blogger, Donnamarie Needle.)

Bottom line; the Petitioners, particularly their leader, Skip Colvin, knew how much the annexation would cost and indeed have the funds to cover the full cost. Neighbors and friends, I urge you to check out the Town Council meeting, and ask the Mayor and Council Members  who voted to pay half (Pyatt, Strong, Helt) why they’ve thrown the residents under the bus?  

Cheers,  Anissa Hastings