Usually when I write letters to the editor, they
concern national policies. However, the organization of and specific
claims by members of "Citizens for Change" have prompted this response.
I had heard from a reliable source about this group's "secret meetings"
(now confirmed in local press reports) and about how certain local
Republicans were planning to try to "take over" the Boone Town Council
through this group.
In a recent article, the group claimed to be “nonpartisan” and one
prominent Democrat was identified to bolster this claim. Yet, the group
is being led by Mr. Jeff Templeton (according to local press, Templeton
was head of Committee for Responsible Environmental Regulation, who
ironically led all efforts to resist responsible environmental
regulation with regard to steep slope development); Mr. David Blust
(former County Commissioner who ran for the state Senate as a
Republican); and Jim Hastings (a Republican who hosts a politically
oriented radio show). Further, the group is endorsing people who are
predominantly Republicans, including incumbent Dempsey Wilcox (the only
current member of the Town Council who voted against a resolution
stating the Town’s commitment to civil liberties). The group is also
endorsing Tim Wilson for mayor (son of Republican Gene Wilson, who
served as a NC Representative).
The group claims that Boone's mayor and Town Council are "socialist"
and anti-democratic because they believe in responsible growth rather
than unlimited growth, because they believe in environmental
conservation rather than environmental destruction, because they want
to preserve what makes this town Boone rather than Hickory or
Charlotte. We are told by this group’s members that without growth,
there will be no taxes and their will be no jobs and people will not be
able to live here. In other words, for these folks, it appears to be
all about money.
I am simply writing this letter in defense of Boone's mayor and Town
Council for their votes to protect our town and the environment we all
depend on for our livelihoods and recreation. These folks have the best
interests of our community in mind and are acting out of a love for the
town that is much more important than money.
Many of the folks involved in Citizens for Change are very wealthy;
their desire to protect their own limited financial interests in order
to make money is dangerous to our town. As started in Timothy 6:10:
"Certainly, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some
people who have set their hearts on getting rich have wandered away
from the Christian faith and have caused themselves a lot of grief."
Amen.