Stockton, in northwest Baldwin County, is one of the oldest and most historic communities in Alabama going back to the 1700s. Many of its residents are descendants of those first settlers. This community is in danger of losing its history, heritage and identity by being annexed by a town, whose town hall is located some nine miles away, as a possible source of more taxes for their own municipality.
We Stockton residents stand united behind a state law creating the Stockton Landmark District, giving us the right to vote before we can be annexed by another municipality and allowing us the opportunity to choose for ourselves if we want to continue to control the destiny of our community or turn it over to someone else. We have managed to thrive quite well for 200 years without outside help and can see no advantage to being annexed.
This amendment, meant to be a local amendment but through error had one opposing Senate vote, must now be approved statewide. It will not raise taxes, enact zoning or other land-use restrictions or call for the formation of any type of governing body. It does not forbid the residents from later voting to be annexed or from incorporating themselves.
Please help us keep local control of our community. Vote yes on the Stockton Landmark District, State Amendment No. 3 on Nov. 6, and ask your neighbors, relatives and friends to vote yes, as well.
Lynn Hastie Bozone
Stockton
