Vote yes to zoning

Dear Editor:

A citizen of Morgan County is driving 75 m.p.h. on U.S. 522 in a 55 m.p.h. zone. A state police officer pulls over the driver.

The state police officer gets out of his cruiser and approaches the driver. The driver — who advocates against speed zones — rolls down his window and asks the police officer, “What part of ‘leave me alone’ don’t you understand?”

This is the attitude of the anti-zoners.

One of them wrote in a letter last week: “The government should not be controlling my responsible use of my land.”

So, who decides what is responsible use of your land? Let’s say you start illegally burning tires on your land. Is that responsible use of your land? Should the police allow you to do it? Or will you meet the police at your door and ask, “What part of ‘leave me alone’ don’t you understand?”
Let’s say you buy a piece of property in a rural residential area. Or in an agricultural area. And you put up an industrial facility. Or a commercial race track. Is that a responsible use of your land?

Some people in Morgan County say yes. But they are in the minority.

The proposed law on the ballot November 2 is a very conservative, law and order conservation law. Or as Republican candidate for County Commissioner Brad Close put it recently, “It’s not as restrictive as most people who I have spoken with would want.”

Close is opposed to the law because, he says, it would increase property values and thus property taxes. But if we want to decrease property taxes, we should decrease the property tax rate. We shouldn’t advocate for policies that decrease property values.

The Democratic candidate for Commissioner — Todd Farris — is also opposed to the law. So much for choice in the race for county commissioner.
But in a few short months, the people of Morgan County will have an opportunity to vote on the issue.

Protect Morgan County. Vote yes on November 2.

Russell Mokhiber
Berkeley Springs