MACKS CREEK, Mo -- Outbursts in Macks Creek where some are fighting to shut down their own local government. Residents showed up at city hall looking for a chance to speak their minds. The mayor and the council tried to keep things quiet.
The otherwise quiet community of Macks Creek came alive Monday evening, even though the Mayor and Board of Alderman opted to remove any public comment. However, comments are exactly what they got.
There's a battle brewing in the town of less than 200 registered voters.
"They have no income coming in. I don't know why they are fighting us so hard," said concerned citizen Joe Crain.
On one side, you have a group of residents trying to disincorporate the city government.
"After the traffic revenue, the town didn't have enough money to survive," said concerned citizen Leslie Chamberlin.
They successfully gathered enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot come August.
As Macks Creek community tries to dissolve city government, Mayor proposes to de-annex residents
"We've got the rights to say what we want no matter what. They are supposed to listen to us, not make a joke out of us," said Crain.
On the other side is Mayor Joel Stoner and the city government. They are fighting back with a de-annexation proposal. It would essentially boot the residents trying to get rid of the government out of town.
"If you don't want to be a part of the city, then go ahead and we'll let you de-annex out. There is no point in forcing them to stay. There's no point in dissolving the entire city because you don't want to be a part of it," said Stoner.
The mayor also tried to circulate a form to allow residents to remove their name from the petition to disincorporate city government. It was posted on the city's website.
There is anger and frustration on both sides, but it's whatever side brings enough voters to the polls in two months time that will determine the future of Macks Creek.
The de-annexation proposal was tabled until the next meeting in June.
