By Doug B
We wanted to share author Patrice Lewis's thoughts on the subject of Local activism. Part of Arid Acres Homestead's message is that by Homesteading or Prepping, you are relying on yourself and acting locally. You are trying to achieve independence from relying on County, State or Federal entities of any sort.
This excerpt also touches on Urban Ag Proposals like those being proposed in Tucson. Most of Tucson had been zoned Residential when annexed from the county and these ordinances would have similar consequences here. Even though some of the activities on properties with acres of land were Grandfathered when annexed and they are not technically or expressly permitted, they are not written into the codes as prohibited.
This excerpt also touches on Urban Ag Proposals like those being proposed in Tucson. Most of Tucson had been zoned Residential when annexed from the county and these ordinances would have similar consequences here. Even though some of the activities on properties with acres of land were Grandfathered when annexed and they are not technically or expressly permitted, they are not written into the codes as prohibited.
This is an from Not in MY Backyard: The Power of Local Activism by Patrice Lewis from WND Commentary:
"... LOCAL is the answer – LOCAL.”
To support the concept that bringing our country back on track must start at the local level, I offered him the following illustration.
A few months ago, our county’s zoning board had a major brain fart and decided it was going to re-zone as Rural Residential any rural landowner whose property has road frontage (in other words, nearly the entire county except for our few small urban areas). A RR designation means landowners are restricted on what they can do on their property, including what kind of crops and livestock can be raised. This meant that farmers who for generations have raised hundreds of acres of wheat or lentils, or hundreds of head of cattle, would have to apply and pay for a special exemption to continue farming – and exemptions would be granted at the will of the local zoning board.
Before codifying this, the zoning board was required by law to hold three public meetings in the three small towns in our county (populations 2,500, 1,000 and 500).
Well, my goodness, you never saw such a turnout in your life. Each meeting was standing-room only, and the people across all three towns UNANIMOUSLY told the zoning board to knock it off and stop being idiots. The board backed down so quickly they were tripping over each other.
Why was the turnout for these meetings so high? Why did such a diverse county have such a unanimous reaction? It’s because people had their private property and their livelihoods directly threatened. That gave everyone (ourselves included) the motivation to get off our butts and DO something."
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/not-in-my-back-yard-the-power-of-local-activism/#0LSG5cD713RCZOEc.99
"... LOCAL is the answer – LOCAL.”
To support the concept that bringing our country back on track must start at the local level, I offered him the following illustration.
A few months ago, our county’s zoning board had a major brain fart and decided it was going to re-zone as Rural Residential any rural landowner whose property has road frontage (in other words, nearly the entire county except for our few small urban areas). A RR designation means landowners are restricted on what they can do on their property, including what kind of crops and livestock can be raised. This meant that farmers who for generations have raised hundreds of acres of wheat or lentils, or hundreds of head of cattle, would have to apply and pay for a special exemption to continue farming – and exemptions would be granted at the will of the local zoning board.
Before codifying this, the zoning board was required by law to hold three public meetings in the three small towns in our county (populations 2,500, 1,000 and 500).
Well, my goodness, you never saw such a turnout in your life. Each meeting was standing-room only, and the people across all three towns UNANIMOUSLY told the zoning board to knock it off and stop being idiots. The board backed down so quickly they were tripping over each other.
Why was the turnout for these meetings so high? Why did such a diverse county have such a unanimous reaction? It’s because people had their private property and their livelihoods directly threatened. That gave everyone (ourselves included) the motivation to get off our butts and DO something."
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/08/not-in-my-back-yard-the-power-of-local-activism/#0LSG5cD713RCZOEc.99
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