Monkey Junction residents file lawsuit over annexation

The city of Wilmington is being sued by some residents of Monkey Junction. On April 7th, a public hearing took place, to discuss the involuntary annexation of Monkey Junction. Crowds stormed the council's chambers back then, and now residents are stepping up in the form of a lawsuit. “Every resident of the city, or owner of property in annexation area, that wants to be heard on the question of annexation during a public hearing, shall be heard,” said attorney James Eldridge who represents the residents. "People that are being annexed, should vote on whether they should be annexed or not,” said property owner Alan Rusher. Many are claiming residents weren't allowed inside city council's chambers during the public hearing, despite the fact there were open seats. Since the statute in North Carolina states all residents must be heard in an annexation process, Eldridge and his petitioners are questioning the city of Wilmington’s policy. City attorney Tom Pollard says Wilmington leaders followed the annexation statutes of the state. The city of Wilmington also put together an annexation service plan which included a description of how the annexed area would be serviced by police, fire and trash personnel post annexation. Eldridge is questioning the validity of that. "If it's an accurate report, then the public will be better informed, so the comments they make to city council have meaning and substance to them." There is no precedent in North Carolina for a forced annexation being overturned. The suit will need to be heard by a court of appeals. It could take up to a year before any decisions are made.