Things got heated at the special called meeting in the city of Martin Wednesday evening.

A crowd of more than 100 people came, looking for answers and to share their concerns about an annexation proposal by the city.

What they got was the mayor, Samuel Howell, walking out of the building just seconds after the first reading of the proposal.

The annexation proposal aims at annexing state roadways around the city of Martin. Some fear that would make it easier for city officials to then annex the businesses along those roads.

The nearly 100 people waiting in the rain for the meeting say they want answers from city officials. Many say they fear the annexation could then lead to businesses and the local communities.

"That has just been the entire everything with this", said Logan Wright, who is a local firefighter. "They don't want to tell us anything. It's all been quiet, hush-hush."

Seconds after the first reading of the ordinance, Mayor Samuel Howell walked out of the building before a single question could be asked.

The crowd of people yelled and begged him for information as he silently walked through the crowd to the exit door.

He refused to talk with us at all, except for saying that the story we reported earlier this month on the annexation was not accurate.

Other city council members say the annexation proposal only focuses on state roads and nothing else.

Here is a quote from Harold Case, a Martin City Council member, earlier this month. He was asked how annexing state roadways would benefit the city of Martin.

"Well, annexing the roads only doesn't, but that will give us leeway to go ahead later with the annexation of the businesses. We can do that. As far as residents, that's got to go on the ballot, the November ballot, people vote on it", said city council member Harold Case.

People at the meeting fear what could happen if any of those options become reality. They say they are frustrated with the mayor.

"He ain't much of a mayor to walk out", said Butch Bentley, who lives outside of Martin. "There were over 100 people in there and he walked out on everybody."

After Mayor Howell walked out, some city council members stayed. People in the crowd asking questions say it was even more frustrating when none of the city council members could give any information about the proposal.

"I wanted him to stay and answer the questions directly. We need some information. The problem we had tonight was, the only thing we heard was, 'I don't know. We'll stand here and let you ask us questions, but we're still not going to give you any information you want. It's I don't know. We'll get back with you'", said Terry Thornsberry, who opposes the ordinance.

All city officials, including the mayor and the city attorney, refused to comment on the proposal.

Most of the people at the meeting are fearful of potential taxes that could come along with an annexation.

Previously, Martin City Council member Harold Case told us the goal of the annexation is to increase tax revenue to the city.

Tonight was the first reading of the proposal. A vote will not be taken until the second reading of the ordinance.

City officials also could not say when that might be.