This letter is prompted by Chester Clark's guest commentary, "N.C. annexation laws stack deck against the people living outside municipalities," (AC-T, Jan. 3). I moved here from a state that allows citizens to vote on annexation. I am surprised that the citizens of North Carolina accept the fact that they have no say in increased property taxes, and they seem to tolerate cities annexing areas without a vote of the people.

I have spoken to N.C. Rep. Wilma Sherrill, R-Buncombe, about this issue and find that she has tried to require a vote of the people but cannot get her bill to move because the "city legislators and lobbyists'' will not permit it. I have written N.C. Sen. Martin Nesbitt, D- Buncombe, on this issue but have yet to hear from him. I spoke to Nathan Ramsey (Buncombe Commission Chairman) and he echoes what Clark says about the "city" legislators and lobbyists refusing to allow a vote of the people. Wonder if a class-action lawsuit might not be in order by those of us who live in unincorporated areas. (It) would be cheaper than paying increased taxes year after year.

I encourage people throughout the state to contact legislators and ask that they give the people of N.C. what 46 other states give their citizens - the right to decide if they wish to be annexed. I encourage this newspaper to take up the cause of disenfranchised citizens too.

Pat Regan,

Candler