McCormick Woods annexation meeting on tap

The annexation of McCormick Woods into the City of Port Orchard will kick into high gear tonight, with an organizational meeting that includes all of those who favor the action — and presumably those who do not.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Clubhouse in McCormick Woods.

The clock started on Oct. 1, when the first petition was received. Signatures from property owners representing 75 percent of the assessed value must be received by April 1, 2009.

The current assessed value of McCormick Woods adds up to about $328 million, so property owners representing $246 million will need to sign the petition in order for the city to take the next step toward annexation.

The Annexation Committee intends to keep a running total of petitions received and represented value. As of Oct. 10, that approximate total was 124 signed petitions reflecting $52.6 million. The Annexation Committee, a group of local citizens supporting the action, have sent periodic newsletters that trace its progress. The most recent dispatch, the 25th in a series, notes the following:

“This is not a vote like the coming election. This is a petition from the residents asking Port Orchard to let us annex our area into their city. If you do nothing and ignore the petition it is the same as saying ‘no’ that you do not want to be annexed into Port Orchard.”

At the meeting, Mayor Lary Coppola, city council members and city staff will answer questions about the proposed actions, outlining the steps needed in order to make the land a part of the city.

Petitions can be mailed in or dropped it off at the Association office. Only one property owner per parcel needs to sign.

There will also be a box at the meeting to drop off signed petitions.

“If we miss this opportunity it may be some years before we will get another chance,” the most recent newsletter said, “If you favor annexation to Port Orchard please sign and send in your petition. Talk to your neighbors and ask them to sign and send in their petitions. Doing nothing may put us in a situation where we may have little or no control over our future such as the water and sewer surcharge.”

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