Fw: Community Meeting Notice > PLEASE share!

Fellow VPCCC Reps.. – Forwarded FYI

Larry

 

From: Harold Hartel

Sent: Friday, February 24, 2012 4:30 PM

To: 'Larry Hanson'

Cc: 'Trey Dotson'

Subject: Community Meeting Notice > PLEASE share!

 

 

Community Meeting Notice
 

The Virginia Peninsula Car Club Council was established to support the Automotive Clubs and Auto Enthusiasts in the Va. Peninsula Region and surrounding areas.  VPCCC is a not-for-profit group (www.vpccc.org)

 

The VPCCC meets on the third Thursday of the month (Except Dec.)   at 7:00 pm at Coxton's Collision Center - Gold Team . Coxton's is located @ 1609 George Washington Mem Hwy . ( Rt 17 ) Yorktown, VA 23693-4310  .    Look for Suite D! 

 

Remember we're looking for the new site now!!! Hopefully we will know fairly soon and can post on the VPCCC website. We have several to chose from and are looking at the best spot for our many delegates.

 

Mar 15^th  is our next meeting .   Mr. Trey Dotson of Va Motorsports Park  …

will be speaking on VMP & Upcoming events . Please consider coming as our guest.  Call or email Hal Hartel for more information.  

 

FYI-We have clubs, individuals and businesses as members from Chesapeake, Charles City, Chester, Denbigh, Gloucester - Middle Peninsula, Hampton, Isle of Wight, James City County, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, Va. Beach, Yorktown, York County, Williamsburg of Virginia and Elizabeth City & Outer Banks of  N.C.

 

 

Thanks, Hal

President of VPCCC

www.vpccc.org  

Harold D. Hartel

100 Kayla Ct.

Yorktown, Va.

23693

Home  # 757/867-6336

HalHartel@gmail.com    

 

VA-ALERT: Upcoming gun shows, meetings, help needed!

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Not yet a VCDL member? Join VCDL at: http://www.vcdl.org/join.html
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VCDL's meeting schedule: http://www.vcdl.org/meetings.html
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Abbreviations used in VA-ALERT: http://www.vcdl.org/help/abbr.html
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1. Help needed manning VCDL table at Libertarian Party Convention this Saturday!
2. Volunteers needed for Doswell gun shows this Saturday
3. VCDL meeting with pot luck dinner in Charlottesville area on March 1st
4. Gun shows and events

**************************************************************
1. Help needed manning VCDL table at Libertarian Party Convention this Saturday!
**************************************************************

VCDL needs a few volunteers to work a table at the Libertarian Party of Virginia Convention on Saturday the 25th of February in Richmond.

The convention will be held at the Richmond Marriott, at the corner of E. Broad and N. 5th St.

Time slots: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM

If you can help with the table and for further details, send an email to Board member John Fenter at:

john@vcdl.org

**************************************************************
2. Volunteers needed for Doswell gun shows this Saturday
**************************************************************

Volunteers are particularly needed for this Saturday.

DOSWELLhttp://www.guns-knives.com, February 25-26

Saturday, February 25 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 26 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Robert Herron at Fredericksburggunshows@vcdl.org to
help at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, near Kings Dominion.

The Meadow Event Park is on VA-30 (Dawn Blvd) about 1.5mi east of I-95
(exit 98) or 3 miles west of US-301.

**************************************************************
3. VCDL meeting with pot luck dinner in Charlottesville area on March 1st
**************************************************************

There is a VCDL Membership meeting going to be held at the Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club (RRPC), Charlottesville, VA, on Thursday, March 1st.

A pot luck dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

As usual, the meeting is open to all. Please bring your neighbors and friends. A main course and drinks will be provided. Please bring a side dish if you are able. If you can't bring a dish, don't let that stop you from enjoying the dinner, there is always plenty! Please RSVP to:

pat.webb@vcdl.org

Put the number attending *dinner* in the subject line so we know how much for the main course we need to bring.

We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you to RRPC for their continued hospitality.

Directions to RRPC can be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/7ylvk93

**************************************************************
4. Gun shows and events
**************************************************************

The Virginia Citizens Defense League thanks the following
member-activists who generously gave of their time to advance and
help defend the rights of their fellow gun owners by working our
recruiting and information booths at gun shows and events around
the state.

Fredericksburg, December 31-January 1
Bruce Jackson, Jerry Coffey, Jeff Hamlin, Clay Klemm & son Sean,
Tess Ailshire, Terrell Prude, and Robert Herron

Richmond, January 7-8
George Lawson, Bob Sadtler, Walt MacKay, Chuck Williamson, Charles Winkler,
Alan Konkle, Brandy Polanowski, Owen Pollard, Bob Greene, and David Crosby

Salem, January 21-22
Bill Noell, Ed Noell, Don Beheler, Ken Modica, Dave Knight,
Catherine Gosney, and Al Steed Jr.

Hampton, January 21-22
Lee Affholter, Doug Kelsey, Tom Green and son David, Jack Dougherty,
Linda and Doug Peterson, Bryan Gilbert and son Brandon, Ed Burton,
Mike Durig, Bill Slifer, Doug Burtt, Monte Oakes, and Ron Lilly

Fishersville, January 28-29
John Norton, Bob Mortensen, Larry Parker, Debra & Brian Weidman,
Franz Bailey, Greg Trojan, David Sayen, and Bob Schmidt

Chantilly, February 10-12
Dr. Jerry Coffey, James Kiser, Dr. Robert Unger, Catherine Gosney,
John Gosney, Ed Levine, Brian Reynolds, Mike Delacruz, Derek Watson,
Max Padon, Matt Liberatore, Gene Harrison, Margaret Marcus,
Vin Miragliotta, Adrienne Green, Harley Green, Steve Schaaf, Bob Schaaf,
Aidan Wakeman, Scott Wakeman, and Danny Paulson

As an all volunteer organization, VCDL depends on YOU to volunteer
your time at our area events, where we recruit new activists and keep
gun owners informed. No experience necessary; if it's your first time
we'll pair you with a veteran volunteer. To find out more about
helping at our gun show tables, go to:

http://www2.vcdl.org/cgi-bin/wspd_cgi.sh/vcdl/gs.html

and click on any of the blue links, or contact the coordinator for
the show/event listed below with which you are interested in helping.
Here are the upcoming events with which we need YOUR help:

a. DOSWELL http://www.guns-knives.com, February 25-26

Saturday, February 25 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 26 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Robert Herron at Fredericksburggunshows@vcdl.org to
help at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, near Kings Dominion.

b. DALE CITY http://www.olddominionshows.com, February 25-26

Saturday, February 25 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 26 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Michael Burnham at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Dale City.

c. HARRISONBURG http://www.showmasters.us, February 25-26

Saturday, February 25 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 26 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact John Norton and David Sayen at
Shenandoahgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Harrisonburg.

d. RICHMOND http://www.cegunshows.com, March 3-4

Saturday, March 3 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help
at the Showplace in Mechanicsville.

e. FREDERICKSBURG http://www.guns-knives.com, March 17-18

Saturday, March 17 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 18 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Robert Herron at Fredericksburggunshows@vcdl.org to
help in Fredericksburg.

f. ROANOKE http://www.showmasters.us, March 17-18

Saturday, March 17 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 18 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Roanoke.

g RICHMOND http://www.showmasters.us, March 24-25

Saturday, March 24 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 25 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help
at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

h. NORFOLK http://www.showmasters.us, March 31-April 1

Saturday, March 31 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 1 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Jerry Brunner at Norfolkgunshows@vcdl.org to help at
the Norfolk Scope.

i HAMPTON http://www.guns-knives.com, March 31-April 1

Saturday, March 31 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 1 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Ron Lilly at HamptonRoadsgunshows@vcdl.org to help
in Hampton.

j. DALE CITY http://www.olddominionshows.com, March 31-April 1

Saturday, March 31 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 1 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Michael Burnham at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Dale City.

k. FISHERSVILLE http://www.showmasters.us, April 14-15

Saturday, April 14 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 15 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact John Norton and David Sayen at
Shenandoahgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Fishersville.

l. CHANTILLY http://www.cegunshows.com, April 20-22

Friday, April 20 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 21 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 22 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Danny Paulson at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Chantilly.

m. HAMPTON http://www.guns-knives.com, April 28-29

Saturday, April 28 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 29 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Ron Lilly at HamptonRoadsgunshows@vcdl.org to help
in Hampton.

n. SALEM http://www.cegunshows.com, April 28-29

Saturday, April 28 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 29 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Salem.

o. RICHMOND http://www.cegunshows.com, May 19-20

Saturday, May 19 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 20 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help
at the Showplace in Mechanicsville.

p. VIRGINIA BEACH http://www.guns-knives.com, May 26-27

Saturday, May 26 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 27 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Gary Moeller at VBgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Virginia Beach.

q. HARRISONBURG http://www.showmasters.us, May 26-27

Saturday, May 26 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 27 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact John Norton and David Sayen at
Shenandoahgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Harrisonburg.

-------------------------------------------
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(VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization
dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to
Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right.

VCDL web page: http://www.vcdl.org [http://www.vcdl.org/]
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Capitol Monitor - Next Week: Town Hall Meetings

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February 17, 2012
Next Week: Chesterfield Town Hall & Listening Series Americans are looking for leaders to bring people together to solve problems, not divide them for political gain.  To that end, I believe the common-sense solutions we need to fix our nation's problems will come from hardworking taxpayers, not Washington.  Next week, I will be holding a series of town hall meetings and listening sessions in Chesterfield County.  I want to have a fact-based conversation about job creation, the economy, our national debt, government spending, and other issues facing our nation.  I know you have great ideas, and I want to hear them. You can download a copy of my full schedule for next week here or by clicking the image below. Sign up for the town halls open to all Fourth District constituents here. Learn more at www.forbes.house.gov/listeningseries Share this on: Great News for Virginia's Fourth District This week, Virginia's Fourth District saw two major wins for our region that I am excited to share with you. Navy Calls Off Plans to Move Carrier from Norfolk to Mayport, Florida For more than four years, I have worked with my Hampton Roads colleagues to fight the Navy's attempt to move a nuclear aircraft carrier from Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia to Mayport, Florida, a decision that was made without providing lawmakers any compelling national security rationale.  Historic fiscal challenges and the devastating prospect of a trillion dollars in defense cuts have only bolstered our argument that such a move would not just be strategically unnecessary, but also fiscally irresponsible.  On Monday, the United States Navy announced it cancelled its plans to move an aircraft carrier from Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia to Naval Station Mayport, Florida. This is a tremendous victory for the citizens of Hampton Roads, who proudly provide vital industrial services to our nation's Armed Forces. Over a Thousand Jobs Protected I recently sent a letter to Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sebelius expressing concern over a proposed change in HHS policy from an open, competitive bidding process for the multi-billion dollar 1-800-MEDICARE contract, to a GSA contracting vehicle limited to three telecommunications carriers. The proposed change in policy would have resulted in the loss of 1,084 jobs for those currently employed in the Chesterfield General Dynamics Information Technology facility. This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services  announced that the contract would remain "full and open," providing General Dynamics with the opportunity to once again compete for this contract and provide an essential service to beneficiaries and caregivers. At a time when we seem to be surrounding by bad news, it is great to celebrate this news for Virginia's Fourth District. Congressman Forbes listens in on a call during a visit to Chesterfield General Dynamics/Vangent last week.	Gov't Regulations, Health Care Costs Curb Small Business Hiring A new poll by Gallup shows that 85% of small business owners surveyed are not hiring due in part to regulations and health care costs. Read more on Randy's blog.  Follow this link to learn more.  Video: Forbes Questions Secretary of Defense on Budget Cuts Congressman Forbes questioned the Secretary of Defense on defense budget cuts during a House Armed Services Committee hearing this week. Watch their exchange. Follow this link to watch.  Federal Budget Available as an App The Government Printing Office has made the President's federal budget request available for the first time in a mobile app. Use the link to learn more. Follow this link to learn more.  Other News Feb 15, 2012 Forbes Speaks at "Defending Defense" Conference to Discuss the Security Implications of Obama's Defense Budget for 2013  Feb 13, 2012 Forbes' Statement on Chinese Vice President Xi Jingping's Visit to the United States   Feb 13, 2011 Forbes Applauds HHS for Abandoning Policy Change Preventing Chesterfield Business from Competing for Government Contract
ON THE HILL PHOTO GALLERY Washington Update Current Floor Proceedings Bills Coming Up This Week Monthly Whip Calendar   Congressman Forbes helps stuff USO Care Packages for our troops.   Congressman Forbes meets with his constituents from the Virginia National Guard while in Afghanistan.
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RE: [Peninsula-Patriots] Fw: Why l am suing York County so l can grow oysters

Sure is!! And  very true.  

 

---

From: peninsula-patriots-list@meetup.com [mailto:peninsula-patriots-list@meetup.com] On Behalf Of DeWitt Edwards
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 9:56 AM
To: peninsula-patriots-list@meetup.com
Subject: [Peninsula-Patriots] Fw: Why l am suing York County so l can grow oysters

 

I received this from Greg Garrett today. It is a very good example of the loss of property rights due to excessive regulations. In most cases people pay little attention to excessive regulations until it affects them personally.  

 

 

 

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free.....it expects what never was and never will be"      Thomas Jefferson

 

DeWitt Edwards

 

 

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Ggdirect@aol.com" <Ggdirect@aol.com>
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Cc: ggdirect@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 5:06 AM
Subject: Why l am suing York County so l can grow oysters

 

I thought you guys might be interested in the details of the case..... what a sad commentary on the abuse of out-of-control local govt !!! Feel free to share this story wherever it could be useful. If you have any outlets where this could generate out of town media coverage feel free to send it to them too.

GG

 

Here are the 3 most recent articles:

http://www.dailypress.com/news/york-county/dp-nws-york-garrett-lawsuit-0214-20120214,0,2790328.story

http://www.dailypress.com/news/york-county/dp-nws-york-zoning-legislation-0215-20120214,0,4648305.story

http://www.dailypress.com/news/york-county/dp-nws-york-garrett-rights-complaint-0216-20120215,0,6300317.story

 

From the very beginning of all of this unprecedented attack on property rights, we have contended that we have the right to grow, harvest and sell oysters. Here is what we base this on:

1. We are zoned for commercial agriculture, which means that according to York County and it's Zoning Laws, we can legally grow pigs, cows, goats, frogs, crickets, worms, crocodiles, buffalos, etc. etc. right now on our Rural Residential property W/O a Use Permit, but for the first time in York County's 400 year history they are requiring a resident (me) to obtain a Special Use Permit (which they won't approve) to grow oysters.

2. Aquaculture is agriculture according to the Va Code & the laws of the USA.

3. Up until the changes the BoS made in Nov 2011, York County's restrictions on aquaculture were designed to limit land based fish tanks/ponds, not river based oyster farms & their Zoning Code clearly stated that those of us in Rural Residential Zones can grow "livestock" for the commercial market. They further described "livestock" as "any animal grown for food", which includes oysters and clams (SEE ATTACHED LETTER FROM Mike Oesterling, THE RECENTLY RETIRED OYSTER EXPERT FROM VIMS). I have over 12 other expert opinions that state that aquaculture is agriculture, and/or that say that York County's pre-Nov 2011 Zoning Code did not prohibit my oyster farming operation.

4. We have 7 permits, leases, licenses, and certifications from the Commonwealth of VA to grow, harvest, sell, & ship oysters.

This is all about political payback. I did not support the Board of Supervisor incumbents for re-election for various reasons, including how out of touch they are with the citizens, their tendency to expand govt, increase regulations, increase taxes, decrease property rights, oppose businesses in the County that we desperately need, and even stretch the truth to justify past bad decisions. They also have a history of punishing anyone that opposes them or the staff when they stand up for their individual rights. This is simply abuse of their political power. In a meeting in November, BoS Chairman Tom Shepperd even admitted that l was the reason that the BoS created the new ultra-restrictive zoning laws last year that were designed to put a halt to agriculture, aquaculture and workboats in York County.

Here is an example of just how out of touch they are:

One of the biggest issues they have been talking about over the last year, and were still talking about in their retreat last week, was the 94 million dollars the citizens of York County are going to have to pay due to EPA mandates to clean the Bay. During this same year, they have been going overboard in their efforts to stop aquaculture, or oyster farms even though it has been scientifically proven that:

1. Oysters are the best natural way to clean the Bay.

2. Oyster aquaculture is the only sustainable way to increase the oyster population in the Bay.

Why aren't they trying to promote oyster aquaculture, and at the same time work out a compromise to reduce the $94 million with the EPA based on the increase of oysters they could have by encouraging their waterfront citizens to grow oysters at their own expense, with all of us benefiting from the efforts of a few? The Bd of Supervisors and the EPA both know that each oyster can filter over 50 gallons of seawater per day. In my case, our small oyster farm filters over 12 million gallons per day. So they are trying to kill the creative solution instead of embracing it.... and planning to increase our taxes instead.

No one has ever complained about our oyster farm. All they ever complain about is what they say they fear will happen, which is:

1. Smell. They fear that the oyster farm will somehow stink up the neighborhood. Jim Wesson, the lead oyster expert, in Va at the VMRC said recently that he is not aware of any oyster aquaculture farm ever having an odor problem.... the fact is that oyster farms do not smell bad. This is a myth. I wonder how bad a pig farm would smell, which we can already have, based on the current zoning laws?

2. Trucks. They fear that 18 wheelers will be riding through the rural residential neighborhoods carrying oysters to market. The fact is that a pick-up truck can carry 10,000 oysters. Therefore with one pick-up truck leaving an oyster farm per day (which would have no impact on any neighborhood) a farm could produce over 3 million oysters per year and not impact anything.... if they made 3 trips per day, they could deliver 10 million oysters per year with virtually no impact. We have no intention of getting this big, just like we have no intention to grow pigs or drive them in big pig trucks through the neighborhood, even though we can legally do that now.

3. Noise. They fear that the noise would ruin the neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of their property. Oyster farms are not noisy. Jim Wesson also said publicly that he was not aware of a single complaint about noise from an oyster farm in VA. The noisiest piece of equipment we use is a pressure washer, which is about as loud as a lawn mower. We normally use it approx 650' from our closest neighbor where it can barely be detected, if at all. Based on our current permits from VA, we can make all the noise we want from a workboat, without limitation just 1' off of our neighbors' shoreline, which we have never done and would never do.

All in all, we look forward to the judge's decision. We are grateful for a legal system that allows us, as citizens, to take the County to Court where this can be decided once and for all. We believe that the judge will not allow the County to continue to exercise this blatant abuse of power any longer.

What do we see as the outcome of all this?

1. We will continue to grow, harvest & sell the best tasting oysters on the planet.

2. 100's of fellow citizens and small businesses will get into the aquaculture business in and around the Bay, creating 1000's of jobs in Hampton Roads alone.

3. We will stop importing 70%-90% of the seafood we eat in VA, and locals will eat much more locally grown, sustainable seafood that is much fresher & healthier than the current imports.

4. The Bay will gradually get cleaner each year and eventually, in my lifetime, the water will be clear enough to see a vibrant bottom, full of sea grasses that will once again be habitat for abundant aquatic life.

5. We will eventually grow enough Chesapeake Bay & York River oysters to export so they can be eaten in the finest restaurants in the world.

6. The EPA will begin to leave us alone, once we prove to them that we can clean up our own waters without spending almost 100 million of citizens' hard earned tax dollars.

7. We will have leaders in York County that embrace aquaculture as a major component of the overall Bay cleanup plan, that want more seafood industry jobs, more workboats, more seafood exports, more agriculture, more private property rights, less overreaching restrictions and abundant locally grown seafood for the health and happiness of our citizens.

 

Greg Garrett
www.greggarrettrealty.com
offices in Hpt Rds from Chesapeake to Williamsburg
Licensed in Virginia
cell # 757-879-1504

Please let me know who needs to buy or sell a house

Help Orphans NOW! (click here)

 

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[Peninsula-Patriots] Fw: Why l am suing York County so l can grow oysters

I received this from Greg Garrett today. It is a very good example of the loss of property rights due to excessive regulations. In most cases people pay little attention to excessive regulations until it affects them personally.  

 

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free.....it expects what never was and never will be"      Thomas Jefferson

DeWitt Edwards

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Ggdirect@aol.com" <Ggdirect@aol.com>
To: bob.rowland@hrteaparty.com; Dorothy@waterproinc.com; HYDRO4U@aol.com; jclar045@gmail.com; sadler1022@cox.net; l_edwards@verizon.net; suelong1@hughes.net; triciastall@cox.net; dakotasky109@aol.com; dljholt@gmail.com; donna.holt@campaignforliberty.com; Karen@vateapartyalliance.org; qualityinyouth@cox.net; whttppatriots@gmail.com; harmony300@cox.net
Cc: ggdirect@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 5:06 AM
Subject: Why l am suing York County so l can grow oysters

I thought you guys might be interested in the details of the case..... what a sad commentary on the abuse of out-of-control local govt !!! Feel free to share this story wherever it could be useful. If you have any outlets where this could generate out of town media coverage feel free to send it to them too.

GG

 

Here are the 3 most recent articles:

http://www.dailypress.com/news/york-county/dp-nws-york-garrett-lawsuit-0214-20120214,0,2790328.story

http://www.dailypress.com/news/york-county/dp-nws-york-zoning-legislation-0215-20120214,0,4648305.story

http://www.dailypress.com/news/york-county/dp-nws-york-garrett-rights-complaint-0216-20120215,0,6300317.story

 

From the very beginning of all of this unprecedented attack on property rights, we have contended that we have the right to grow, harvest and sell oysters. Here is what we base this on:

1. We are zoned for commercial agriculture, which means that according to York County and it's Zoning Laws, we can legally grow pigs, cows, goats, frogs, crickets, worms, crocodiles, buffalos, etc. etc. right now on our Rural Residential property W/O a Use Permit, but for the first time in York County's 400 year history they are requiring a resident (me) to obtain a Special Use Permit (which they won't approve) to grow oysters.

2. Aquaculture is agriculture according to the Va Code & the laws of the USA.

3. Up until the changes the BoS made in Nov 2011, York County's restrictions on aquaculture were designed to limit land based fish tanks/ponds, not river based oyster farms & their Zoning Code clearly stated that those of us in Rural Residential Zones can grow "livestock" for the commercial market. They further described "livestock" as "any animal grown for food", which includes oysters and clams (SEE ATTACHED LETTER FROM Mike Oesterling, THE RECENTLY RETIRED OYSTER EXPERT FROM VIMS). I have over 12 other expert opinions that state that aquaculture is agriculture, and/or that say that York County's pre-Nov 2011 Zoning Code did not prohibit my oyster farming operation.

4. We have 7 permits, leases, licenses, and certifications from the Commonwealth of VA to grow, harvest, sell, & ship oysters.

This is all about political payback. I did not support the Board of Supervisor incumbents for re-election for various reasons, including how out of touch they are with the citizens, their tendency to expand govt, increase regulations, increase taxes, decrease property rights, oppose businesses in the County that we desperately need, and even stretch the truth to justify past bad decisions. They also have a history of punishing anyone that opposes them or the staff when they stand up for their individual rights. This is simply abuse of their political power. In a meeting in November, BoS Chairman Tom Shepperd even admitted that l was the reason that the BoS created the new ultra-restrictive zoning laws last year that were designed to put a halt to agriculture, aquaculture and workboats in York County.

Here is an example of just how out of touch they are:

One of the biggest issues they have been talking about over the last year, and were still talking about in their retreat last week, was the 94 million dollars the citizens of York County are going to have to pay due to EPA mandates to clean the Bay. During this same year, they have been going overboard in their efforts to stop aquaculture, or oyster farms even though it has been scientifically proven that:

1. Oysters are the best natural way to clean the Bay.

2. Oyster aquaculture is the only sustainable way to increase the oyster population in the Bay.

Why aren't they trying to promote oyster aquaculture, and at the same time work out a compromise to reduce the $94 million with the EPA based on the increase of oysters they could have by encouraging their waterfront citizens to grow oysters at their own expense, with all of us benefiting from the efforts of a few? The Bd of Supervisors and the EPA both know that each oyster can filter over 50 gallons of seawater per day. In my case, our small oyster farm filters over 12 million gallons per day. So they are trying to kill the creative solution instead of embracing it.... and planning to increase our taxes instead.

No one has ever complained about our oyster farm. All they ever complain about is what they say they fear will happen, which is:

1. Smell. They fear that the oyster farm will somehow stink up the neighborhood. Jim Wesson, the lead oyster expert, in Va at the VMRC said recently that he is not aware of any oyster aquaculture farm ever having an odor problem.... the fact is that oyster farms do not smell bad. This is a myth. I wonder how bad a pig farm would smell, which we can already have, based on the current zoning laws?

2. Trucks. They fear that 18 wheelers will be riding through the rural residential neighborhoods carrying oysters to market. The fact is that a pick-up truck can carry 10,000 oysters. Therefore with one pick-up truck leaving an oyster farm per day (which would have no impact on any neighborhood) a farm could produce over 3 million oysters per year and not impact anything.... if they made 3 trips per day, they could deliver 10 million oysters per year with virtually no impact. We have no intention of getting this big, just like we have no intention to grow pigs or drive them in big pig trucks through the neighborhood, even though we can legally do that now.

3. Noise. They fear that the noise would ruin the neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of their property. Oyster farms are not noisy. Jim Wesson also said publicly that he was not aware of a single complaint about noise from an oyster farm in VA. The noisiest piece of equipment we use is a pressure washer, which is about as loud as a lawn mower. We normally use it approx 650' from our closest neighbor where it can barely be detected, if at all. Based on our current permits from VA, we can make all the noise we want from a workboat, without limitation just 1' off of our neighbors' shoreline, which we have never done and would never do.

All in all, we look forward to the judge's decision. We are grateful for a legal system that allows us, as citizens, to take the County to Court where this can be decided once and for all. We believe that the judge will not allow the County to continue to exercise this blatant abuse of power any longer.

What do we see as the outcome of all this?

1. We will continue to grow, harvest & sell the best tasting oysters on the planet.

2. 100's of fellow citizens and small businesses will get into the aquaculture business in and around the Bay, creating 1000's of jobs in Hampton Roads alone.

3. We will stop importing 70%-90% of the seafood we eat in VA, and locals will eat much more locally grown, sustainable seafood that is much fresher & healthier than the current imports.

4. The Bay will gradually get cleaner each year and eventually, in my lifetime, the water will be clear enough to see a vibrant bottom, full of sea grasses that will once again be habitat for abundant aquatic life.

5. We will eventually grow enough Chesapeake Bay & York River oysters to export so they can be eaten in the finest restaurants in the world.

6. The EPA will begin to leave us alone, once we prove to them that we can clean up our own waters without spending almost 100 million of citizens' hard earned tax dollars.

7. We will have leaders in York County that embrace aquaculture as a major component of the overall Bay cleanup plan, that want more seafood industry jobs, more workboats, more seafood exports, more agriculture, more private property rights, less overreaching restrictions and abundant locally grown seafood for the health and happiness of our citizens.

 

Greg Garrett
www.greggarrettrealty.com
offices in Hpt Rds from Chesapeake to Williamsburg
Licensed in Virginia
cell # 757-879-1504

Please let me know who needs to buy or sell a house

Help Orphans NOW! (click here)

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