While it doesn’t seem right, the move by the state prison system to have the Limestone Correctional Facility annexed by the City of Huntsville, is the only logical thing to do at this point.

It’s too bad Limestone County or the City of Athens does not have the funds or capability to furnish the prison with proper sewer service, like Huntsville. But we apparently don’t and so be it.

Huntsville city officials met with leaders from the prison last week to discuss the annexation. But while the meeting was new, the plan was not.

The News-Courier, in a page one article last summer, told of such a move in the making. We’ve had plenty of time to respond. But again, it appears we do not have the resources available to help the prison in this endeavor.

Limestone County will lose the 2,000 inmate population to Huntsville even though they will still be housed in our county. In addition, Huntsville will see a steady-paying customer for expensive sewer improvements and set the stage for more annexations as sewer lines expand from the prison and designated wastewater treatment plant.

Huntsville City Councilman Glenn Watson told The News-Courier last summer that the city was considering the annexation and he made no bones about, the move could lead to other annexations in our county.

Limestone County Commission Chairman David Seibert and others have fought past land grabs, but to no avail.

They say the way Huntsville first annexed 650 acres last year was illegal “lasso annexation.”

Even though we lost that fight legally, we encourage Seibert and others not to give up hope on future annexation moves by neighboring cities.