Leave Midway City Be
Posted by: Jubal | 07/14/2008 5:23 PM
There's an article in today's Los Angeles Times about Midway City and the desire of most of its residents to remain unincorporated:
I've lived in OC my whole life, but Midway City is one of those tucked away parts of the county I didn't even know existed until almost twenty years ago (the local Ancient Order of Hibernians chapter met at the Brothers of St. Patrick in Midway City).
I don't know if this article was precipitated by any imminent attempt to roll Midway City into Westminster, but I'm not one of those who are hell-bent on making sure every last square inch of unincorporated land is annexed by some city or another. If the residents there want to remain in the county, why not let them?
Perhaps this is one of those situations Supervisor Moorlach had in mind when he put forward the possibility of levying a utility tax on unincorporated residents, as an incentive to be incorporated.
It's my understanding Sup. Nguyen had been supportive of Midway City's annexation into Westminster, but given the opposition to that idea by Midway City voters, she laid off the issue while her re-election campaign was underway.
The community's resistance to annexation hinges on its water distribution and unincorporated property tax rate. Three Midway City-based companies provide well water at a low monthly rate. If the islands were annexed, residents fear water meters would be installed and the 1% tax rate would adjust to what property owners pay in surrounding cities -- about 1.125%.I'd be resistant, too.
I've lived in OC my whole life, but Midway City is one of those tucked away parts of the county I didn't even know existed until almost twenty years ago (the local Ancient Order of Hibernians chapter met at the Brothers of St. Patrick in Midway City).
I don't know if this article was precipitated by any imminent attempt to roll Midway City into Westminster, but I'm not one of those who are hell-bent on making sure every last square inch of unincorporated land is annexed by some city or another. If the residents there want to remain in the county, why not let them?
Perhaps this is one of those situations Supervisor Moorlach had in mind when he put forward the possibility of levying a utility tax on unincorporated residents, as an incentive to be incorporated.
It's my understanding Sup. Nguyen had been supportive of Midway City's annexation into Westminster, but given the opposition to that idea by Midway City voters, she laid off the issue while her re-election campaign was underway.
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Politics Behind the Orange Curtain, The 5th Floor
The County isn't too good at providing basic municipal services. They are inefficient and costly (well okay this is somewhat subjective because you have to factor both cost and effectiveness). The Supes are aware of this and that's why it's official County policy to disencumber itself of the "islands" and vice versa.
As far as the water issue is concerned I don't see why they couldn't keep their district if they were annexed into Westminster.
Although I don't know the area that well, an interesting comparison with the large west Anaheim Island might be drawn. A few years back they soundly rejected an annexation bid in the (mistaken, I think) belief that they would be giving up too much freedom. No sooner had the ink dried on their petition than some of the leaders showed up at the County to fight a subdivision in their midst. No luck there!
Fun fact about Midway City - it is named that because it is midway between Santa Ana and Seal Beach, which at the time were the only towns in town.
BTW, I see that a "John G" commented three times on the Socialized Medicine thread, and I can't see his comment. I'm guessing he got frustrated at posted it three times so your software thought it was spam? Can someone fix that?