Thank you for the article headlined "New Bill May Freeze City's Plan" by Mike Hixenbaugh. I am a concerned citizen and business owner in Edgecombe County who has been affected by the upcoming annexation by Rocky Mount.

On May 14, I voiced my concerns to the Rocky Mount City Council at the public hearing regarding the proposed annexation.

I identified the negative effects the cost of the annexation would have on my business. Apparently, the information fell upon deaf ears.

This is the very reason the moratorium is needed at this time. We as citizens and taxpayers should have a voice in decisions regarding our affairs. I am sure if the matter were put to a vote, the affected citizens would vote not to be annexed by Rocky Mount.

All concerned citizens should become involved because time is of the essence. The city of Rocky Mount is making its concerns known: "Rocky Mount leaders sent letters this week to each member of the local legislative delegation, asking them to oppose the bill."

We must write our state representatives and senators to encourage them to vote in favor of a one-year moratorium on forced annexation. We need this moratorium to become effective before June 30.

StopNCannexation is a grassroots effort to stop forced annexation abuse in North Carolina. Its Web site – www.stopnc

annexation.com, contains information to become involved in our issue of annexation.

I encourage everyone to attend the Rally in Raleigh on June 4. May our concerns be seen and heard at this rally.

Our elected representatives need to hear and know how we stand on the issue of forced annexation. We must become involved by participating in writing our elected officials and attending public forums to voice our concerns. Get involved.

Denise Watkins

Rocky Mount