Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-06-15
Studies Plan
ToStop Annexation
Board Fqvors
City Stotus for
Entire County
BY JACK KELSO
star stan Writer

Incorporation of Fairfax
County as a city was suggested
today by a majority Of the
Board Of County Supervisors as
a way to ward of an annexa-
ton threat by Alexandria.
The incorporation idea was
offered in response to plans of
Alexandria Mayor Leroy s.
Bendheim to recommend
study to determine whether
Alexandria should annex about
80 square miles Of Fairfax
County.
II approved, the annexation
would take from Fairfax Coun-
ty some Of Northern Virginia's
best residential sections and
the fiourishing industrial park
on Shirley highway.
Fairfax Board Chairman
Stuart T. DeBell said: I'VE
don't have much choice. We're
going to have to talk about
incorporation Wednesday.
I'VE will have to give serious
consideration to doing some
thing and countrywide incor-
poration is the only way we
can do It,"
Idea Is Not New
Incorporation of the county
as a city has been talked of in
the past but until now it had
not been considered as some
thing the county should do
Immediately.
An incorporation charter was
drawn up recently by a county
advisory committee which also
was studying the Urban County
Plan. The aim of both govern
mental changes is to stop
"fragmentation" of the county
by annexation and by incor-
Iporation of small towns within
its boundaries!
Mrs. Anne wilkins. board
vice chairman who represents
a large section of the area
under threat of annexation, as
serted Alexandria has nothing
to offer this area. Certainly
this area has nothing in COM
mon with Alexandra"
/ Mrs. wilkins said it is Tex
tremely doubtful tAlexan-
dria) could win an annexation
case"
She added that the only
final answer is Incorporation"
She said it was conceivable
that If incorporation of the
whole county fails, her area of
Fort Buffalo might incorporate
as a city.
Leigh, Moss Comment
Supervisor A. Claiborne Leigh
said he would be more than
willing to study Incorporation"
This may be the only prac-
tical method of preventing an
nexation." Mr.. Leigh said.
The annexation was labeled
nothing but a land grab for
obvious reasons" by Supervisor
William Moss.
Mr.. Moss said he was ready
to advocate Incorporation" He
said that If the county incor-
iporated as a city 1t could levy
q sales tax.
The revenue from such a tax
probably would offset any adj
ditional expenditures the
county would have to make.
Mr.. Moss said.
Mr.. Moss said he did not
see how the county could pay
of its bonded indebtedness if
other areas grab of choice
areas."
Supervisor Thomas S. Gray.
noting that the threatened an
nexation program would stop
Just short of the area he rep
resents. said: Il don't see that
alexandria, can offer -.
anything we don't have or
won't have In the near future.
fought Not to Panic"
Asserting the county Ought
not to panic.' Mr.. Gray said he
is willing to study the posi-
bility of incorporation. But he
noted that incorporation could
pose many new problems, such
as paying for highways.
Mr.. Gray. a lawyer, said the
legal precedentS for annexa-
ton are archaic" and that the
only real remedy would be new
State legislation.
J Supervisor James Keith Of
|, the Town of Fairfax said he
felt annexation would not
really put the county out of
! business. Fairfax's total area
exceeds 400 square miles.
IT don't think this will be the
ruin of the county," Mr.. Keith
said. He rejected the idea OF
the incorporation.