ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - November is shaping to be a big month for the city of Manchester, as voters will decide whether to approve the annexation of a two-square-mile area of unincorporated St. Louis County on Nov. 7.
However, officials and residents in St. Louis County have expressed concerns regarding the plan.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page joined Total Information A.M. to discuss the annexation proposal, with Page telling the show that residents have expressed concerns to him on a variety of issues - from increased tax rates to the loss of patrol from St. Louis County Police.
"What I have been hearing from residents in the annexation area, they're concerned their taxes are going to go up significantly, they will be losing St. Louis County police patrol, which they have become accustomed to and they trust," said Page, "And there's no going back if Manchester can't keep their promises. There's no way to undo any annexation unless municipalities dissolve."
Page also expressed concerns that this annexation is purely just a money grab.
"It certainly is a money grab, I don't think Manchester has made any secret about that," said Page, "It passed a tax on marijuana dispensaries and they don't have any in Manchester. There are two in the proposed annexation plan and taxes on cannabis are pretty lucrative."
Manchester Mayor Michael Clement responded to those concerns immediately after Page's interview, telling Total Information A.M. of his personal experiences of dealing with annexation back in 1999, and saying he hasn't felt any regrets over it.
"The outcome was very very good for all of us who lived in that area," Clement recalled, "From my experience, it can be much better being a part of a smaller local government."
Clement says it is natural for Manchester and St Louis County to be neighbors.
"I live south of Carman Road and the area is north of it," said Clement, "Kids go to school together, we worship together, they shop in the business area of Manchester, they attend the parks, so to me it's quite natural."
Keith Weldon, a resident who lives in the unincorporated St. Louis County area where the potential annexation could occur, says he and his neighborhood have studied the annexation plan carefully and he believes that there are better benefits to be annexed with Manchester, such as better trash collection and street maintenance at lower cost.
"(Our neighborhood) believes we will get better services, at an overall lower cost," said Weldon, "It will help us out financially, and the access to local government will help us as well."
St. Louis County will hold a town hall in regards to the annexation. The town hall will be on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Queeny Park.