In reply to Lonnie Stevenson’s letter regarding water bill increases (Auburn Reporter, Dec. 9), before the annexation was voted on, several groups, including one that was organized on East Hill called SOS, tried to educate the community about this very thing.

We were not annexed into Auburn because they love us. We are an additional source of income. Most residents apparently felt that King County (unincorporated) and the Sheriffs Department were not providing the service they wanted. You do not move into an unincorporated area and expect the same kind of service you would receive in cities. You must be prepared to be able to take care of those things that living in a city would provide. If you are not … live in the city.

Most of the residents on East Hill are longtime homeowners realize this. It was one of the many points the SOS group was trying to make evident to homeowners before they voted.

I personally felt that the county, fire protection and Sheriffs Department did a good enough job. I and many of my neighbors were willing to do without the “upscale” services, rather than having our services “managed” for us.

– Pat Horn