The City of Social Circle seems to have a reputation. A reputation of "Annex Abuse."
 |
| "Greatest Little Town?" |
And I'm not being hyperbolic here, folks. The Georgia Association of County Commissioners actually leveled that charge against this municipality years ago.
They also seem to have a track record, as well as an M.O., when it comes to raising revenue, gobbling up land & taking over large swaths of our beloved home county of Newton Co, GA.
It started a couple of decades ago in the mid 2000s.
Back when "The Circ" first started annexing Newton Co land, the conventional wisdom was they were doing so as to be able to patrol sections of I-20 w/ their municipal police force in order to raise revenue for a city that had financial issues at the time.
Fast-forward to now, and to paraphrase the words of Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap fame, this particular political subdivision has apparently turned things up to eleven (11).
Just in the last few months, Social Circle has annexed three parcels comprised of upwards of 800 acres of Newton Co real estate & have recently voted to add more, w/ another annexation petition imminent.
These actions have consequences. Over the years Newton officials have publicly stated that these annexations have adverse effects on the Newton Co BOE, as well as other county services such as police & fire.
Regarding these recent developments, some I've spoken to say the ultimate reason is that these people have no real skin in the game.
All of these annexations (and current attempts on annexations) are quite a ways from their precious, beloved downtown district. According to some, they simply don't care. It's just apparently "all about the Benjamins."
They simply want the tax money.
And if so the case, that's so profoundly sad.
So, mindful of this 20-year history, many in the home county are quite grateful & supportive of the Newton County BOC saying basically:
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
And also basically saying:
We can tie you up in the courts for years if need be.
- MBM
P.S. for those not in the know, the recent developments have to do w/ data centers (power & water wasters) & truck stops (breeding grounds for drugs & lot lizards)
P.P.S Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
Further Info:
https://www.covnews.com/news/county/newton-county-commissioners-vote-oppose-covington-annexation-request/
https://www.facebook.com/electlongdistrict5/posts/latest-update-on-the-proposed-data-center-at-708-hwy-11newton-county-has-been-no/122223924020228129/
Or simply Google: Social Circle Annexation of Newton County, GA
