Stealing America

Not a day goes by when we don't hear about more of taxpayer rights, and land being stolen, usurped by government. Public land, national park, state parks and now just less than eighteen acres of county land is being stolen.  Once told this would be a county park we now learn that business in western North Carolina will use land that county taxpayers are just now starting to enjoy.  The first few years, the county will make $1 off this acreage -  about $400,000 we are told over ten years.

Since when did government become a business?  Since when was government allowed to utilize taxpayer land for a private corporation to profit.  This hits home hard.  My home.  For many years, I have enjoyed quiet times along the river.  It is my favorite place to drive.  To be.  It feels more than sacred.  If this plan goes through, my refuge is gone.  Thousands of people who do not call the county their home will use this land. Traffic will dominate the small roads as will more litter, more runoff, more pollution.  It will become another heavily trafficked small road by the gorge in Swain County where the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) has its main facility.

This is a tiny river.  A silly river by any kayakers imagination. Grade 1 and maybe 2 at best.  A puddle pool.  For the past few years, I have enjoyed sitting along the river taking in the quiet, watching the two herrons and enjoying the splash as water finds its way down the rocks, the natural occuring waterfalls that was left after Duke Energy removed the non-working hydraulic dam.  A deal done through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ( FERC) who has a history of siding with energy companies.  Could it be that FERC is comprised of former energy company executives?

One day at a time, our peace is stolen by government.  Federal, state or county.  It doesn't matter.  I bought land on this side of the county because of the quiet.  Looking at other towns within this county, this area offered something none other did.  Open, easy access to services I utilize and a sense of peace.  Close to the river. Undeveloped.

All of this pushed through plan quietly promised by politicians behind closed doors who have no clue in land use planning, no long range views of how to protect sacred property and clearly, no interest in citizenry.  Perhaps what is worse than these politicians is the 99% of the taxpayers who won't do a thing to protect this land.  And, they probably never will.