Peter Gilbert, an attorney for the University of North Carolina Center for Civil Rights said technically the approval must be ratified, something he described as a formality. Since it is a local bill it does not require the governor's signature. “There is no real barrier to that.”
Gilbert said the approval means residents in the Brandy Creek community will get relief from increased property taxes, which forced many to leave following the annexation, which was done by the General Assembly in 2005 for the city as it planned the Carolina Crossroads Music and Entertainment District. There are now 22 homes in the community, Gilbert said.
The de-annexation is expected to take effect July 1.
Gilbert said the de-annexation should not affect an ongoing criminal investigation in the community on reputed drug dealer Calvin Champion. That investigation appears to be ending and the community is within the city's one extraterritorial jurisdiction. “The Roanoke Rapids Police Department will certainly be working in assisting prosecutors in the case.”
Gilbert said the center will continue to be an advocate for the community.
He said services were never an issue for the residents, but the way the annexation came, with no warning, was.
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