MAN — Despite not being in attendance at a council meeting in many months, Jimmy Porter and other protesters of a proposal that would see the town of Man annex nearby areas went before the town council Monday night asking that parts of the town be de-annexed.

Porter was told he had five minutes to make his comments by Mayor Jim Blevins.

Porter said that on August 18 of last year Herb Staton had approached the council with a list of names and a request to de-annex Man from certain sections of road work on Route 10.

"You all voted not to accept Mr. Staton's request for de-annexation," Porter said.

Town Attorney Bernard Spaulding said the original request did not meet code requirements. Porter said a letter was written and submitted in writing for approval and the matter had been tabled by the council.

"So I am putting it on the table again," Porter said, asking the council for an election on the matter in the 2010 primary.

Porter said he wished to know what an election would cost within the next 30 days.

"Will you approve an election in May of 2010?" he asked.

Bernard Spaulding said nothing had changed regarding the de-annexation request or in terms of the status of the petition.

"It did not then and does not now meet the requirements," Spaulding said.

Porter said the petition had 40 names on it, a map and was in writing.

"Will y'all approve this for election or not?" Porter asked.

Mayor Blevins said the status of the request and the opinion of the council had not changed.

Ironically, the town of Man did away with the primary elections several years ago citing the costs, and only holds a general election.

Fire Chief R. Holt of the 200 station requested a copy of the map and area to be annexed.

Mayor Blevins said a copy would be provided to the department, but not that night. The assistant chief of that department asked how the proposed area would have comparable or better fire protection than currently.

Bernard Spaulding said service to the area would be as good or possibly better in the near future due to improvements in the Man Fire Department.

Councilman Tim Stacy had a complaint about the recent Man-Logan ball game, noting that his street was blocked off by people who had parked illegally and that many people who lived in the area could not get in or out of their homes.

"They blocked people off several times," admitted Police Chief W.S. "Steve" Simpkins, who said that his department tried to contact people in offending vehicles by the PA system to have them move at different times during the game.

The Council approved the hiring of Michael Vannatter as a new patrolman for the Town of Man Police Department. Council also approved the resignation of Andy Williams from the Man PD after two executive sessions in private.