Bellevue community shy of 250 signatures to combat Hattiesburg annexation

BELLEVUE, Miss. - The Bellevue community is shy of 250 signatures from becoming an official city that will help combat Hattiesburg's filed linear annexation.

The proposed mayor of Bellevue, John Adcock said he feels confident Bellevue's case will prevail.

“Hattiesburg is trying to do this linear annexation where they are just taking revenue and taking commercial sales tax" said Adcock.

He added, "They are not taking any residents, and they are not taking any say so of what is going on in their community.”

If Bellevue obtains 250 signatures Adcock said, "The city of Hattiesburg is already in court filing for annexation, at that point we are basically in litigation with the city of Hattiesburg."

Proposed Alderman, Patricia Nelson said the signatures are beneficial for the community. "So we have control over the destiny, the way that the area is developed."

Officials said it will offer residents a voice, “But it’s not an idea to change the way people use their property or add a whole lot of regulations or anything like that" said Nelson.

She added, "It is to zone the commercial areas so that they are developed in a way that is advantageous to us all.”

If Bellevue becomes an incorporation, it will add benefits for city ratings. Nelson continued, “The idea is to add police protection, better fire ratings, but for us to ultimately for us to have control, of what happens in our community, rather than the commercial areas being taken away from us.”

Adcock said, "Should the Hattiesburg annexation case progress too far prior to the completion of the Bellevue petition, the potential of becoming our own city will become impossible."

"It is our pledge that we will get every single available signature from the community, however we ask the residents of Bellevue to support our pledge, to assist in our efforts, and to encourage others to become involved as well. Only together, can we build a great city" added Adcock.

To learn more about the petition you can call (601) 310-­5494.