Living at 5252 Center Hill Road, I am directly affected by the potential annexation south of 5416 Center Hill Rd and east of Center Hill Rd into the city limits of Olive Branch, MS. This move threatens the rural character of our community and imposes urban regulations on properties that were never meant to be incorporated into city boundaries.

Many homes in our area do not have road frontage to Center Hill Road. As a result, these properties do not have access to city water services, and depend entirely on septic systems for sewage management. This absence of foundational infrastructure raises concerns about how an annexation could lead to unnecessary hardships, expensive retrofitting for compliance, and a strain on our already functional rural systems.

Annexation without addressing these critical infrastructure gaps overlooks the logistical and financial burdens imposed on residents. It could lead to increased property taxes without providing proportional benefits or services to affected households, essentially taxing us without representation or adequate support.

Rural communities offer a distinctive lifestyle, cherished for its privacy, self-sufficiency, and connection to nature. This forced annexation threatens to erode this way of life and could set a precedent for future expansions.

We urge the city planners and decision-makers to reconsider this expansion plan. Protect our community values and lifestyle by leaving these properties outside of the city limits. Sign this petition to support and preserve the identity and integrity of our rural neighborhood.