The Birmingham Regional Planning Board (not an official government board as the name might lead one to believe) has been conducting their visioning sessions in several locations in Blount County. 

This is an extension of REGION 2020 that is sweeping the state and the nation under various labels.

Two of the major issues involved in the Blount County initiative that should be extremely important to the citizens of the county concern LAND USE MANAGEMENT and COUNTY WIDE ZONING.

If this initiative is allowed to proceed through acceptance by the county governments, a committee or some other body of non-elected individuals will be established and given the authority to issue zoning regulations for the entire county.  When they talk about LAND USE MANAGEMENT they mean CONTROL OVER HOW LAND OWNERS MAY USE THEIR PROPERTY. 

Citizens should not be deceived by the pretty pictures the advocates of this initiative will paint for them.  Money in the form of government grants may be dangled before your eyes.  Pretty word-pictures of how this initiative can improve the environment and protect it from pollution will be painted for mass consumption.  The meetings (visioning sessions) will be hailed as proof that this is what the community wants. 

Do not be deceived!  The meetings are controlled sessions to make the public believe they are having input -- but the outcome has been pre-determined.  You can prove this to yourselves by comparing the outcome in your area with outcomes from other areas around the country.  The meetings will involve a very small percentage of the population, yet will be hailed as a consensus of the total population. This is the Delphi Technique, but it is known by many other names: businesses often call it participative management.  The idea is to convince you that you are having a say in developing a system or a process when in reality the final goals have already been identified and selected.

Blount Countians, wake up and fight this initiative.  It is big government coming at you in ways you haven't yet imagined.  If you value your freedom to use your land as you think best, you must defeat this initiative.

CLICK HERETO READ JUDGE HEREFORD'S DECISION REGARDING THE "RAILS TO TRAILS" ISSUE.

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