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About two dozen people met in Johnston County Thursday night to talk about possibly creating a new town.
It happened near the intersection of Interstate 40 and Highway 42, also known as the Cleveland area.
Johnston County commissioners recently approved a rezoning request for a 300-acre development near the intersection.
"We want to make sure that those who have the most at stake, which are the locals, have a little bit more say in how that development takes place," said Kristian Forslin, who participated in the meeting Thursday.
One option that the group is looking at is incorporation - creating a new town with possibly its own planning department, police, and other services.
"This is a very difficult process that's going to cost a substantial amount of money that will have to be raised by the citizens of this area. And a lot of work will have to be done by the citizens of this area if this is what the citizens actually want," said Jonathan Breeden, who also attended the meeting.
The General Assembly would have to approve the proposal. And a majority of the people in the proposed town would have to support it.
The biggest challenge can be convincing people that they should pay new taxes, said attorney David Mills, who helped the Archer Lodge community go through the incorporation process recently.
"Obviously no one likes to see more taxes," Forslin said. "But if everything is done responsibly, taxes do mean possibly more or better services than what we are currently seeing now."
The group decided to form a fact finding committee to determine whether they can or should become a town. The committee plans to meet December 2nd.
The group would need to hold public hearings. And they would need at least 15 percent of the registered voters in the area to sign a petition to get started with the incorporation process.
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By Carl Johnson on 10/24 01:46 PM
Mr. Vanover, We share similar concerns. I'd lvoe to discuss them with you. Please contact me through the website at clevelandschool.webs.com
By R. Vanover on 10/24 01:00 PM
Re. Carl Johnson's Response to my original post: Thank you for your attempt to answer my question as to what are we going to get for the extra taxes we will have to pay. I know that it is a very challenging question and I am not looking to ratchet up a heated argument. I have yet to fully make up my mind. I know that there are good people on both sides of this issue. There is not even a right or wrong answer. It comes down to what is best for you and further for the community. As for my question about what benefit will I recieve for the extra taxes? In short, nothing! I'll have to pay more to keep what I already have. As for, and I quote you, "With incorporation, you get a less diluted voice in your local government." That is an idealistic theory, but aside from my vote for or against a plan or person I have little voice! From the White House to the Smoke House my vote is about the only voice we Americans have left. I can petition, protest and speak up at zoneing or council meetings etc., but I still don't see anything for my extra taxes. As for the comments by the Clayton candidate, Clayton is a far cry from a prime example of a well thought out planned or controlled growth area. I intentionally moved to Johnston County rather than Clayton to avoid their high tax rate verses services. Maybe we just need to STOP destroying beautiful farm land, converting them into subdivisions, then our service level needs won't increase. For the record, I live in a subdivision, but when I moved here nearly a dozen years ago I moved into a very small phase I developement in the county that later exploded into multiple phases. I was disappointed later, after moving in, when I learned that it had once been beautiful wooded and farm land that bordered a creek. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a tree hugger, although I do value the farms and green space. I'm not anti-growth, but I moved here for the quiet, county life style that the area afforded with the big city shopping and medical access still within a 30 minute drive away. Now I find myself not only with a disability, but a recent widower having to seriously consider selling out and moving. I love my home and the way things are. If growth and incorporation are going to corrupt my quality of life, well then I'm against it. So far I'm still waiting to see if all of this will be worth it and I will honestly hold off making a decision until I have heard all of the facts. When growth ceases to be a benefit, maybe it's time to slow down. Just a thought!
By Carl Johnson on 10/24 10:44 AM
Re: R. Vanover's comments. I appreciate your candor. None of us that have gotten involved have decided to incorporate. We decided to get the facts, present them to the area residents, and then all of us decide. As for doubling the taxes, there is no indication that this is factual. If we incorporate, then we will decide the tax rate. And some of the taxes are offsetting. If we do incorporate, the taxes you pay for the fire district go away, if the town votes to provide fire service. Most importantly, the residents of the area get to choose what services they'll offer, and the tax rate they'll pay. They'll have more of an impact on zoning and development, which is a major concern here. One of the candidates for the town of Clayton Town Council has referred to this area in less than complimentary terms. Apparently referring to the Cleveland Township/40-42 area, this quote appeared in the local media. "That is a god-awful mess," said incumbent Bob Ahlert. "That is a prime example of how not to let growth happen." None of us want higher taxes. Yet, we understand that with an increased demand for services, there must be some way to pay for them. If another municipality annexes the area, we will begin paying their rate, without having had a voice in the rate or the services. As for replicating those services, with the increased population in this area, there will be an increased demand for services. Those come with a cost. If Johnston County raises taxes to provide for them, or else the incorporation of the area provides for them, we are still going to pay for them. With incorporation, you get a less diluted voice in your local government.
By R. Vanover on 10/24 03:38 AM
I'm not sure that I am for or against the area becoming a town, but with the economy as it is we must proceed with extreme caution because this move will mean nearly doubling our taxes. Will we get twice as much for the dollar. I prefer living in the county rather than a city, but I will take a good look at the process. I see foreclosures going up around my home constantly and wonder if some people can stand another 100 to 150.00 per month! What can a city offer me that Johnston County does not already. Don't say police because I am very pleased with our Sheriff Dept. I have Fire Protection, Ambulance service, a new Hospital, Shopping, water, trash, streets, septic etc, etc. What can a town really offer us? Honestly?
By Mike on 10/24 12:31 AM
I live 3 miles from I40-42 area and have a Raleigh address. Mr Peck you need drive around that area and see how much growth is going on in that area. For you I am sure picking up a package at the post office is not a big deal. For some of us it is a 20 min drive into Raleigh.
By Carl Johnson on 10/24 12:24 AM
2nd sentence below should read "begin", instead of "being". CJ
By Carl Johnson on 10/24 12:20 AM
I fear that Mr. Pecks' position is somewhat mirrored by a few in the affected area. Only the residents of the affected area can being any changes they desire, if they desire to make them. As for "a town where hardly anyone lives", Mr. Peck is obviously unaware of the increased population and projected increased in population and income in the West Johnston area. We who live here, as opposed passing through 3 or 4 times a year, desire to have a factual basis to decide our future. As the person who lead the meeting, I will reiterate to Mr. Peck and any others in the affected area: "Meet with us and help us obtain and present the facts." Contact us at our web site: Clevelandschool.webs.com Cleveland Counts!
By Chris Daniels on 10/23 09:15 AM
Steve is right. Johnston County officials have NO role in this meeting other than to provide facts on how incorporation works and how to go about it. In this case some RESIDENTS got together out of concern that their neighborhood is spinning out of control. Incorporation may mean that the local residents will have more say or direct input into how crime is controlled, planning/zoning is handled and how taxes are spent. Mr. Peck has ZERO at stake here and would not be affected in the least as he lives on the other side of the county. This is about the residents of the Cleveland community of which there are actually many due to it being the fastest growing area of Johnston County.
By Steve Acosta on 10/23 06:34 AM
At this point in time this is just a fact finding effort that has been started by a group of concerned local residents. The group requested that some County officials attend the first meeting to answer some questions,and they graciously accepted. Other than that Johnston County has no official role in this effort.
By Wendell R. Peck on 10/23 05:42 AM
Isn't it wonderful, that the county government is willing to create a town where hardly anyone lives using tax money taken from people who may pass through the area 3 or 4 times a year if that much. Just think about it, the business located at I40 and 42 have a Garner address already. But in a economy that has just about collapsed where people are out of work and barely making ends meet, Johnston County can act just like the Federal Government and whenever they want money, just tax the working people. What do the taxpayers do when they need money, go job hunting in an area with a 10% unemployment rate? Get out and Vote at every election to rid ourselves of the Tax and Spend politicians !!!
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