“Smart growth” defined

Dear Editor:

Recently I have noticed the term “smart growth” appearing in letters to The Morgan Messenger. Not possessing a Ph.D., in economics, I was somewhat perplexed as to the meaning of this term.

After much thought, I reached the following conclusion. “Smart growth” must work like this: All Morgan County property owners are required to pay taxes on their land. A handful of taxpayers, possibly because they moved here from a more enlightened community, are smarter than the others and have a plan. They intend to enact a zoning ordinance and hang more bureaucrats, higher property taxes and land-use restrictions around everyone’s neck.

In return, Morgan County will forever be a place where property values always remain high and the passing tourists will gaze at its scenic vistas.

I, for one, prefer the liberty of the current “status quo.”

Steve French
Spruce Pine Hollow