Beware of proposed annexation of properties into Bonners Ferry

Regarding the annexation attempt by the Bonners Ferry City Council for properties from the U.S. Forest Service south to the golf course, I sincerely hope citizens attend one or more of the meetings scheduled and protest.

For years, the mindset of the city council and mayor is to stifle new business development by severely limiting business zoning. The commercial develop in the Three Mile area is testament to the council's anti-business stance.

Even a couple of years ago, several individuals approached the council relative to rezoning a tiny strip of residential properties fronting Highway 95 on the South Hill from Madison Street up two blocks to BF Quik Lube. The rezone request would have allowed low-impact businesses to occupy these highway fronting properties. Currently on this strip exsits a hair salon and an accounting office.

However, true to form, led by the mayor, even though approximately 40 citizens came to council chambers in support and only three (including the mayor) opposed the rezone, the city council rejected the rezone proposal. In the mayor's wisdom, he preferred to see families with small children living on this busy highway strip, rather than having income producing, small office-type businesses.

If you own a property in any of the areas the City of Bonners Ferry wants to annex, beware. Not only will you pay a high city tax, but owners of properties fronting the highway face a hostile anti-business city council bent on reserving all residential zoning, no matter how antiquated or inane.

Steve Douthit