Rockland annexation

The disabled Iraq War veteran and property owner asked the commission to decline recommending the annexation of his 28.99-acre home, questioning tenant signatures, petition circulation, and elector eligibility.

A Bellevue VFW post commander speaking for Winickey asked about floodplain limits, utility costs, and asked the board to deny or table the item 60 days for negotiation.

A Town of Rockland planning commission member said the annexation 'tramples' two unwilling property owners and asked the commission to consider the ethics.

Argued it is 'glaringly wrong' that all ten petition signers own none of the property at stake.

A friend and fellow veteran described how devastating involuntary annexation would be for someone who bought rural land after military service.

Questioned fire protection for the annexed area with no hydrants, citing reliance on volunteer departments and insurance rate effects.

The petitioner said his family followed the law, has owned the land since 1967, and complained Rockland/Greenleaf actions stripped 400-plus acres from them without consent.