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Lesner's Anti-Annexation Bill
(For more Norfolk geography tidbits, click here.)
"Senator Lesner's annexation bill, which Norfolk annexationists have fought so hard, will not become a law, as it was originally drafted.
According to a message from Richmond last night, the clause, which provided that cities shall give suburban territory two years' notice before it can be annexed, has been stricken from the bill. This is the clause which the Norfolk annexationists objected to. If it had become a law, Norfolk would have been compelled to wait two years before  Huntersville, Lambert's Point and other suburban territory could be taken under the wings of the city.
Senator Lesner has another amendment to the bill, which he hopes to have incorporated in the measure, and which he thinks will satisfy his constituents in Norfolk County. This amendment provides that three years must intervene between the dates a city or cities can annex suburban territory. In other words, if this amendment becomes a law, Norfolk cannot take in any Norfolk County territory for eighteen months. Portsmouth took in a slice of Norfolk County about eighteen months ago, and according to the effect of the amendment Norfolk has no right to annex the suburban territory she is wooing until after three years from the date of the Portsmouth annexation of its suburban territory.
…In speaking of the bill, Senator Lesner said:
'I think it is nothing more than fair that Norfolk should give Huntersville and other suburban territory two years' notice before it is annexed. That will give the people time to prepare for the new conditions.
'Norfolk has been flirting with its suburbs for years and has never made a real proposal. Our people do not know whether she is serious or not. She may be, and if she is this time, as some claim, it seems we should be given proper time to prepare our trousseau for the nuptials.
'Under the law as it now exists Norfolk can make us elope and marry on the jump. We have no option but accept her guardianship. Under the proposed amendment the suburbs have time to think it over and some of those in the territory will have a chance to move further out and remain in the county if they do not wish to become citizens of Norfolk city.'"
("Lesner Tries a New Plan To Check Annexation," Virginian-Pilot, March 4, 1910)
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