Letters to the Editor

Taking away choice

As a new resident and taxpayer of the city of Charleston, I feel compelled to reply after reading the June 13 screed by Henry Fishburne in which he decries the current annexation policy.

I chose to annex to the city because I felt the current attempts to form a town on little more of a basis than "we hate Joe Riley" was an exercise in stupidity unworthy of my participation. No one rang my bell or twisted my arm to making that decision.

I simply realized that those planning the incorporation were intent on taking away my choice forever of staying in the James Island Public Service District or possibly annexing in the future. They may argue that they are acting to protect freedom, but thinking people realize they want no more than to take away any real choice and create a "Stepford Village" of their personal liking.

I chose to escape their reach. Others may not want to. That is their choice, and they will live with the results, good or bad. So be it.

How dare Mr. Fishburne try to deny people such as my family the opportunity to join the city? Those who petition to enter the city, whether as individuals or as businesses, do so willingly. They have exercised their rights, and they have been accepted by their peers without any need of his princely blessing.

I can assure you I have been thoroughly pleased by the city services he seems to believe are so intolerably stretched. Many cities contract for services, and his fear tactic on fire response is a red herring. Regional compacts ensure that fire services back each other up to protect the public.

As far as the city's footprint being larger than Washington and Boston combined, anyone who has visited these areas can fully appreciate that both are relatively small cities with large compact populations surrounded by multiple small redundant towns and cities.

Although there is actually a megalopolis that reaches from Washington to Boston, it is plagued by excessive taxation and bureaucratic inefficiency created by smaller entities that have restricted the natural growth of the major cities ? all in an attempt to retreat to a yesterday that is gone forever.

As far as "emergency" meetings are concerned, certainly Mr. Fishburne understands that these were the result of the fear many of us had that Mary Clark's misdirected steamroller would prevent us from achieving what we considered our best interest.

James H. Doyle

1138 Darwin St.