Did you ever think that the same is true for those of you who live in the city but use the roads, beaches and all the other services and benefits the county provides? I don't shop in the city, I primarily use the city's roads to travel to and from Cape Fear Community College, where I take occasional night courses. I pass through Wilmington to go other places, not to shop, sightsee or use any of your precious "services"! Get off your holier than thou high horse and stop spouting your drivel about all the wonderful benefits those of us who live in unencorporated areas are receiving "for free". Why do you think the vast majority of the states don't allow forced annexation.. it is simply a ploy to raise the city's tax revenues because the city politicians won't tighten their belt and reduce wasteful spending when every citizen when faced with "budget shortfalls" simply reduces spending and stops the waste. Oh, by the way.. take a look at your precious convention center.. the city's boondoggle of a useless and wasteful project. Do you really think national convention attendees are going to flock to Wilmington when they can have their meetings at one of the many recognized tourist destinations across the country? How many similar cities have convention centers that lose money year after year? Do you think Wilmington will be different? Sure you do! Get real.. your mayor and his cronies swung quite a deal with that project.. I wonder who in the real estate development business in Wilmington got fat on this project?