Here?s a little snapshot of life at the level of local government in North Carolina, particularly when the issue of annexation comes up:

Residents who live in the Cape Hickory area of Caldwell County want to know what the town of Rhodhiss would have to offer them should the area be annexed.

Property owner Rick Clauson addressed the town council at the monthly board meeting Tuesday evening, “I didn’t buy in the city, I don’t want to be in the city.”

Clauson stated he would rather be annexed by Hickory, which he said has more to offer him than Rhodhiss does.

“I have a septic tank, I have a well,” he said. “What else do you have?”

“You’re going to be annexed by somebody, we just don’t know who,” Rhodhiss Commissioner Barbara Kirby said.

He said he did not want to see his taxes increase for fewer services.

Kirby said that in six months to a year, the town would have more amenities to offer residents.

“Give us six months,” she said. “Won’t you give us a chance?”

“No, ma’am,” Clauson said. “I’d rather move.”