Annexation could boost public safety
By LEWIS DELAVAN Editor

Some residents in an area targeted for annexation to Benton and Bryant say they don't want in any city.

However, the boundaries of Benton, Bryant and Bauxite are very jagged, creating a real public safety issue, says Marsha Guffey, Benton planning director.

Fire departments, police, ambulance crews and other emergency responders need to be able to instantly determine which agency needs to respond, she said.

A public hearing for the annexation will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Benton Municipal Complex.

Joy Buchanon, who is leading efforts to oppose annexation, said she and her husband returned to Saline County after his retirement and bought their home specifically because it was outside a city.

Buchanon grew up in Benton, and loves the city, but just doesn't want to live in a city.

Bryant's taxes are even higher than Benton's, she said, so if it came down to one city or the other, she would choose Benton.

Many of their neighbors are retired, and couldn't afford the $1,000 sewer connection charge, she said.

She began talking to neighbors after receiving a certified letter notifying owners of the proposal.

She started passing petitions Sunday, and based upon conversations since she started, believes opponents will have 75-100 names by the week's end.

While almost everyone she has posken to opposes annexation, most agree they'd prefer to be in Benton, if they must, she said.