Committee to preserve Georgetown speaks: No to rezoning for Industry

About 100 citizens packed the Georgetown Baptist Church in Cleveland Temnessee tonight.

The citizens had a few things on their minds. No! No to rezoning! No to wide roads swiping their private property! No to big government telling the little man what to do! No to encroachment on their property! No to anything you do without our input! End of story!

The meeting was well organized and Jeff Miller was the main coordinator tonight! I asked Jeff why are you getting involved? He replied, “because it is in my backyard now.”

Often times the greatest patriots are born when the government makes it personal. This group of citizens were personally involved tonight and mad! The America I lived in as a kid when I was young returned tonight. The red white and blue was vivid and striking, patriotism was at a fever pitch, citizens of Georgetown, I applaud your efforts.

Many in the crowd provided input and many voiced discontent with plans to change their community with a rezoning request by a well connected citizen and realtor in their own community, Mrs Judy Allen.

Judy Allen has requested rezoning of her property for I1 commercial and it is rumored that some type of gravel or concrete company is planning to purchase her property and turn it into basically a parking lot with multiple huge buildings on it.

With this proposal our way of life will change forever. Infrastructure costs passed on to property owners, decrease in property value, increase in property taxes, environmental factors, water runoff, wetlands, wildlife dusturbance, blasting, runoff, pollution of creeks and environment, vilification of those that lead this effort, the BCC Comprehensive Growth Plan and how it figures into the big picture were among the issues discussed by the locals.

The ability and will of a group to organize itself against runaway government is refreshing. Just as the commoners in Boston railed against unfair taxes on their tea, so does the commoner of Georgetown Who says NO to new rezoning efforts which stand to change the landscape forever and never to return.

I say we continue to fan the flames of liberty in every community in Bradley County and into the US. The key is leaders in every community stepping up who are personally involved and encourage community input that will eventually turn that resentment for change on their elected and non elected appointees.

Eventually, and in great enough force the so called non appointed leaders will hear the cry of the citizens and not choose to ignore their demands.

The next group goal for the Committee to preserve Georgetown is to attend the County Commissioner meeting in force on June 4 th to send a strong message to their elected representatives and that message is to vote NO to the rezoning of Georgetown.

A giant has been awakened in Bradley County, years of education and awareness by tea party, 912, liberty and “regular citizens” types are starting to pay huge dividends for our republic.

In my observation, it doesnt take a particular designation to make waves, it takes being American and speaking up when you have been done wrong and you feel your government has taken that one step too far to stay quiet any longer.

Bravo, Georgetown! Bravo! Belief in the spirit of patriotism in me has been reenergized, restored and reinvigorated! Move forward cautiously I warned the group, “for some reason the good ole boy machine turns on the citizen when they speak up!” “Expect vilification, this is their game. Many steps will be taken before the vote on June 4th, don’t become complacent.”

“Folks in the room like Mr Mike Smith who have said the vote is safe, don’t be satisfied with that. I believe we have Mr Elkins and Caywood who will vote NO, but it takes 6 more to win the vote. Don’t stop the pressure! Dont accept a delay vote either, only a yes or no vote!”

“I have walked in and out of a commission meeting fully expecting a vote to go one way and it end up completely opposite. Many backroom meetings will be held, many ideas will flow from those who choose big business over the rights of the citizens.”

“Pressure will be added to these elected officials to vote one way or another over the next few weeks, some may cave to that pressure. Call them all and tell them to vote NO!”

“Beware as the proverbial strikes to your leaders will start as soon as soon as they leave this room tonight! Support them with your lives when they make this stand!” You have made our forefathers proud. Well done.”

The committee is encouraging large masses of people to be at the rezoning vote in Bradley County on June 4th at the Bradley County Courthouse at 7 pm. Great numbers will sway things and if they aren’t swayed by public outcry, we simply acknowledge a yes vote, mark in your memory bank and next election cycle send their bags packing.

It’s that simple and that is how we do thing in the good ole U S of A!

More later!

Georgetown Community meeting tonight: Rezoning, property rights, SR 60 on the agenda

Tonight! Community meeting at Georgetown Baptist Church on SR 60, across from the Family Dollar, 730 pm, bring someone with you!

A sleepy little piece of rural America nestled into Bradley Counties rolling hills and meadows is being prepared to become a hustle and bustle rezoned I (1) heavy industrial park complete with a 5 lane highway with major intersection development at Hopewell School!

The existing property rights and values of that property are at stake. Many realtors and key players in and around the planning commissions stand to gain heavily from this property grab.

The vote went forward on May 1, 2012 by the Bradley County Planning Commission despite a packed room of concerned citizens saying “NO!” Tony Young was quoted by the Cleveland Daily Banner, “I think we get the gist”, he said, “You all are against it.” Then moments later, the Commission voted in favor of the rezoning. Mr Young (Works for Crye Leike) abstained from the vote because of conflicts with Allen. Judy Allen who is not a member of the planning commission but from my understanding is/was a Crye Leike Realtor and owner of some of the property in the rezoning area. The vote was approved 3 to 2 with Commissioner and Planning member Mel Griffith, Tom Crye and Stacey Tucker voting yes and Janie Bishop and Daryl Sneed voting no. Planning
Commissioners Lisa Webb and Lindsay Hathcock and Greg Calfee were absent. Why Mr Tom Crye(in the realty business) continued on with his vote I do not know.

My overwhelming thought coming out of this meeting is why were so many “vested” and standing to benefit from this rezoning ever allowed on this board and some still voted? Why didn’t our one standing County Commissioner on the board vote with the people and vote NO? Another thought, with so many “absent and abstaining” why was the vote not delayed till the appointed board could have had better attendance which could have turned the vote. Why?

Many in the room that evening were encouraged to vote no or to delay the vote to “gather” more information. County Commissioners Terry Caywood and Ed Elkins, both from 1st District representatives even suggested delaying the vote. Why did the planning commission elect to bypass those requests by it’s citizens and elected representatives and vote in favor? Whatever the reason, herein lies the answer.

Living in a rural area is an enviable position to be in from city dwellers. I love the open area. I love to stand on my front porch and see pasture, birds and listen to a roaring stream and birds chirping. I do not want to look out my door and see a new superstore or a steel grey building shadowing me from the sun and the traffic getting back and forth to it. Leave the county alone! Leave our property alone. We like it the way it is. Rural and beautiful!

Come join us at the meeting tonight. 730 pm at the Georgetown Baptist Church across from the Family Dollar on SR 60. Come early, it is going to be crowded. We must take a stand against our elected and nonelected representatives that are calling all the shots despite our objections. They and their selected minions work for us and if we want things a certain way then they should act accordingly. Community activism against is the backbone of our society. When that voice is taken away by those elected to represent us, especially the non elected boards, Committees and Chambers of Commerces there is tyranny under a monarchy. Liberty and a republic does not exist when the peoples voice is silenced and their efforts vilified. Community and public dissent is the great equalizer not the great evil that certain “good ole boys” in town wish to make you. Our country was formed by dissenters and so called “trouble makers” in our not to distant past.

Embrace these citizens that are boldly and courageously standing between us and an encroaching government, stand with them. They are what America needs more of. Send a strong message that we are not the bad guy. Instead, we are a very strong, well oiled group that are standing up for the fight armored with our inalienable (God given, not man or Government given rights but inalienable! Mainly mong those are our property rights.

The Bradley County Commission is planning to vote on this rezoning issue on June 4th, 2012, 7pm, at the Bradley County Commission meeting room at the courthouse. Please plan to be there and bring someone from the Georgetown, Hopewell area with you.

In the meantime, call your commissioner and tell them you want them to vote NO on this rezoning request. Tell them you want a NO vote, not a DELAY vote. They frequently will delay the vote in hopes of public dissent to cool somewhat them when “interest is lost” the vote is recast with less hoopla! This method has been used successfully in the past!

VOTE NO or we replace you with someone who will vote NO! It’s that simple and it is the American way to prevent government intrusion into our lives.

Our forefathers would be proud! See ya there!

Bradley County Planning commission turns heads to the public, votes in favor of rezoning

About 100 concerned citizens filed into a Bradley County planning commission meeting to voice their discontent over zoning changes along hwy 60 that will intrude on people’s property and place the value of their land at a steep discount! “It’s not American, its not right, leave our land alone were the cries from throughout the room.”

New land use regulations are being put into affect and Bradley Countians are now being told by our local government appointees and committee members that what happens on your land will be dictated to you by planners and your elected officials!

You have not seen nothing yet. The Comprehensive plan that is up for a vote in the near future will be “on steroids” compared to the changes you are seeing right now! Commissioners will vote on a plan that will change your economic, social and environmental landscape for years to come.

PUD (Planned Urban Development) already in the early stages of development are even suggesting heavy fines and even jail time for non compliance. With the assistance of the EPA many Bradley countians and Clevelanders may do jail time possibly for one of hundreds of new land use regulations that may rain down on you. Perhaps not mowing your yard frequently enough or putting a little garden in your front yard? It’s real and it’s happening now. No longer are we thinking this may happen, it is upon us and soon will strangle us into behaving like a good little Socialist community!

You have been told by very expensive consultants that this plan has nothing to do with land use regulations when all along they know that it will! This is how this will be in part funded. Fines and taxes levied against you for non compliance will be the mechanism that makes this thing survive! Many in our local government are not educating themselves on the issues that will be affecting you directly, instead of listening to hundreds of angry constituents they will listen to a few consultants and perhaps a few state legislators who are saying this has nothing to do with Agenda 21, when it is Agenda 21, verbatim.

Many of our leaders are not being open and honest. They would rather play games than get to the heart of the issue. This is very serious and we should hold our elected leaders to an ultimatum. Protect our rights or get out so someone can!

It is really time we get busy and call our county commissioners and City Council and Mayors x 2 and tell them to vote NO on a few things that are definitely bothering you!

It’s time for a house cleaning and I can’t think of a better time than the next election cycle to do so. To have the planning commissioners that are vested and reap the benefit of their vote is a tragedy! When most of your planning members are realtors, builders and construction guys you got to know something smells.

It’s time to find representatives who are just that, REPRESENTATIVES of your district and of the people. Time to clean house folks, time to flip the house!

Read this below from the Banner reporter David Davis.

Bradley County Planning commissioners approved a rezoning request Tuesday over the objections of about 100 people, including two county commissioners, who crowded into the Bradley County Courthouse.

County Commissioners Terry Caywood and Ed Elkins, who both represent the 1st District, asked the planning board members to delay the vote.

“I’ve listened tonight to some of the opposition and I think what stuck with me the most is the lack of infrastructure, the environmental issues and traffic issues,” Elkins said. “I think we could do well if we at least got some additional information before you make a decision.”

Elkins said he would also like to know more about the intended use because that could have a strong bearing on the amount of opposition.

Planning commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the request from Judith Allen to rezone 223 acres bordering Georgetown Road and Francisco Road N.W. from Forestry/Agriculture/Residential to General Industrial. The motion to approve the request was made by Tom Crye and seconded by Bradley County Commissioner Mel Griffith. Voting in favor of the request were Crye, Griffith and Stacey Tucker. Voting against the request were Janie Bishop and Daryl Sneed. Planning Commission Chair Tony Young abstained because he and Allen are employed by Crye-Leike Real Estate Services. Commissioners Lisa Webb, Lindsay Hathcock and Greg Calfee were absent.

Bishop said after the meeting she voted no to rezone the property because she felt more information was needed concerning a plan of utility and transportation services.

Bradley County Planner Corey Divel recommended approval of the request based on the land use plan in which the property is identified as a potential site for industry, primarily as a warehouse. Also, the property is of substantial size to allow plenty of room for buffers.

A string of neighbors and members of the Bradley County Radio Control Model Aircraft Club expressed opposition to the zoning change. One man said his family has owned a farm in the vicinity for 100 years.

“People live in the county for a reason,” he said.

Another said he has owned property since 1973. He moved his family to Tennessee because his former state was careless with individual rights. He planned for his daughter to live on a portion of the property and become a member of the community.

Don Lewis said Tennessee Department of Transportation officials acknowledged at a recent public hearing that Highway 60 is too narrow and outdated to handle traffic. He asked planning commissioners to wait until TDOT provides more information on the route of the new road.

“I moved here four years ago because we wanted to get away from industry,” one of the neighbors said. “Preserve it as rural, the way it is.”

Young said at that point he would allow a couple of more speakers.

“I think we get the gist,” he said. “You are all against it.”

A real estate broker said the land is one of the prettiest places in Bradley County and, “I do not, nor my family, want it turned into an industrial park. What it is good for is raising cattle, kids and families.”

Radio controlled aircraft flyers rent property adjacent to the Allen property. The club president said sandhill cranes and blue herons use the property as well as the 50 club members.

One of hobbyists said he did not want to see any county in Tennessee invite retirees, such as himself, to live on nice, pristine land, then turn around and change it into smelly industrial land.

“Please leave this land the way it is,” he said.

Young said he serves on the Bradley/Cleveland Industrial Development Board in addition to the planning commission because the county is struggling to find space for warehouses. He said Interstate 75 Exit 20 will be retail because it is too cost-prohibitive for industry. Also, he said the proposed Spring Branch Industrial Park south of Exit 20 is still several years away.

He said the purpose of the open meeting was to allow the public the opportunity to guide the Planning Commission, “and that’s what everybody here has had the opportunity to do,” Young said. “We’re appointed members. Ultimately, we have no say in what happens here tonight. We simply make a recommendation to the Commission. They’ll be the ones that have the authority to vote this request up or down.”

Ronnie Davis, pastor of Mount Zion New Covenant Church of God, said he cannot do what he wants to do, but has to listen to the church board and congregation.

“I feel like we should have some say here and some impact on what we’re doing here,” he said. “If we don’t, we’ve lost what it is to be an American — we’ve lost it. Folks, we’ve got to have a stand. We’ve got to say what’s right and take a stand for what’s right. It’s not all about money. It’s about what’s right.”

Young said he serves on the nonpaying boards because, “My total interest is bringing jobs into the community so everyone’s children have places to work so they don’t have to move out of the community to find a job.”

The Bradley County Commission is scheduled to vote on the zoning change June 4.