The event was sponsored by Polk CAFA (Polk County Citizens Against Forced Annexation).&bsp; Approximately 100 people attended.

Rep. Walend spoke about the difficulties legislature members have had getting bills concerning the annexation laws out of committee and to the floor of the House or Senate for votes.&bsp; In the past few years, no bill concerning annexation has made it to the floor to be voted on by the members. She said the problem is that committee chairmen have not allowed bills out of committee. &bsp;

Under intense citizen pressure across the state, the Speaker of the House has established a Select Committee to hold hearings across the state so that citizens can voice their opinions about annexation. &bsp;

Rep. Walend, a member of this committee, reported that there are two meetings left before the Select Committee reports to the House on its findings. &bsp;

These two meetings will be held on April 9 and April 23 in Raleigh. Walend says she believes the committee will recommend either a moratorium on annexation or changes to the annexation law, or both. &bsp;

The next legislative session begins on May 18 and she says she hopes the Speaker of the House will allow the Select Committee to introduce a bill or bills to accomplish the changes or a moratorium before June.

Public meetings will be held by the Town of Tryon concerning its latest forced annexation plan on Tuesday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 16 at the Tryon Elementary School auditorium at 6:30 pm.

For more information, go to www.polkcafa.org, e-mail polkcafa@hotmail.com, or call 859-5633.