The "Upstate Never" Asked ...

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The following link references the subject matter of this email.

Be sure to click on the link in the first paragraph that takes you to their recommendations:

http://ow.ly/35CvK

Previous communication with you has covered a wide range of issues. One subject frequently addressed has been complacency. You have been advised to be continually vigilant, no matter the progress or how many victories are achieved. An effort has been made to drive home the point that those who view property, and hence our liberties and freedom, as commodities to be forcefully taken from you, never cease in their efforts. We are now afforded the opportunity to see why vigilance and activity are so critical to our efforts.

Many of you have been involved in the reformation of the Pickens County Comprehensive Plan. We have made great progress in helping draft a more "normative" plan. There is however, a special interest that directly opposes this effort of the citizens of Pickens County. They fully intend to see their agenda forced upon us, all through the Comprehensive Plan.

What follows is taken directly from the link provided:

Two Upstate Forever staff - Lisa Hallo (a Pickens County resident) and Laura Garrett (a Pickens County native) - served on the committee. After many meetings and much discussion, debate, and hard work, a draft plan was recently presented to the Pickens County Planning Commission. A public hearing on the draft plan was held on October 11, and Upstate Forever has submitted our recommendations for strengthening and improving the plan (click here to read them).

It is evident many hours were poured into the drafting of this plan.

Some crucial points to consider in shaping of our continued efforts:

First and foremost, the individuals noted above are hired guns. They are poster girls for the term "Special Interest". One of them is not even a resident of Pickens County. She has made this clear to the Planning Commission. The only qualification that can be found for justifying her input is that she is a native of Pickens County. Does this qualify her to make recommendations on how we should live our lives? We on the other hand, are not hired guns. We have never asked for, nor receive any compensation for simply taking an interest in the well being and governance of our county.

The public comment period is mentioned. The statement implies pubic input is closed. Some commissioners, as well as some council members, have made it clear they see no need for further public input. Yet this is the very thing Upstate Forever is attempting to do. All the while, shutting us out of the process. They are simply promoting two sets of rules, a set for them and a set for everybody else. Even more alarming is the fact that they are not even public, but a special interest with special funding. They are simply trying to intimidate the commission into giving them special consideration.

Also mentioned is the amount of time they have put into the plan. This point is repeatedly held up as the reason to approve the plan as originally drafted. Fellow citizens, the same can be said for Obama care, EPA regulations, and any number of other special interest efforts. The amount of time they have put into the plan has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not the plan is acceptable.

If you value the ownership of property, and ultimately freedom and liberty, take the following immediate actions:

The Planning Commission will consider and probably vote on the plan at its next meeting on November 8. If you live or work in Pickens County, immediately contact the Commissioners, as well as your County Councilman to:

1) Express your support for the recommendations as submitted and made by the citizens of Pickens County.

2) Let them know that you strongly oppose any weakening of the citizens input made to the draft plan to date

AND

3) Mark your calendars for the Planning Commission meeting, Monday night, on November 8th at 6:30 p.m.; suit up and show up!

This concerns all of us. If the version of the plan Upstate Forever proposes is adopted, the effects will not miss you and yours!

~ Jim W.
member Conservatives Of The Upstate