Support for and against Silver Creek annexation into Joplin - KOAM TV 7

Support for and against Silver Creek annexation into Joplin

Since 1955 the village of Silver Creek, Missouri has been a self-governed community but that could soon be changing.

Village board members have proposed being annexed into the City of Joplin but the proposal brings with it some concern.

Supporters of the consolidation say the move will not only generate big annual savings for village residents but will help to keep their neighborhood clean and attractive.

Those against it say they enjoy being a community of their own and feel they shouldn't be forced to change.

While many residents are good neighbors and comply with Silver Creek village ordinances, Mayor Pat Worley says others are dropping the ball.

Unkept yards, illegal buildings and burning are just a few reasons why Mayor Worley and members of the village board are pushing for the village to be annexed into the City of Joplin.

"We just have no way but voluntary compliance to enforce those rules," says Mayor Worley.  "The City of Joplin has the people, the courts, the procedures to do all that."

Consolidation would also fuel financial perks.

"Our savings, our $500 per house in going with Joplin, and if you multiply that by 283 houses, so that's a savings for the whole Village in the year of 2013 of $131,500," says Worley.

Joplin would absorb the village's $2.3 million sewer debt.  And residents would no longer have to pay the Redding's Mill Fire District property tax, resulting in a $56,000 loss to the department.

"But then who supports them?" says Silver Creek resident John Sohosky.  "I feel bad about that because we've supported them out here a long time.  I'm kind of on a fence.  I'm kind of leaning toward it, but then there's a couple little things that may be holding me back a little bit.  We have always looked forward to the fact that we could pretty much do what we needed to do out here."

Some Silver Creek residents are completely against the move. Dozens of residents have put up "Save Silver Creek" signs in their front yards hoping to keep their village they way it is.

"If we wanted to live in Joplin we would have bought a home in Joplin," says Silver Creek resident Kim Davis.

Mayor Worley says Joplin's codes and the ability to enforce them are reasons for, not against the annexation.

Joplin city council members have already voted to send the proposal to Jasper and Newton county for approval.

If both counties approve it will be up for vote August 7.