Wow! Better watch out North Carolinians, if you like to shoot you might be a terrorist!

Thanks to David Fox w NC GOP Liberty Delegates for forwarding this on the Facebook group.

NCGA Link

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Are Cleveland County’s elected officials aware of the consequences of the continued support of Sustainable Development in our county?

Land Use Plan Flow Chart

Glossary of Terms for Cleveland County Land Use Plan:

Centralina Council of Governments (CCOG)

Isothermal Planning and Development Commission  (IPDC)

Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life (SEQL)

Lake Norman Rural Planning Organization(LNRPO)

Cleveland County Transportation Partnership (CCTP)

Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP)

Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce (COC)

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)

I’m sure at this point most of us have heard the often quoted phrase, “10% unemployment is the new normal”.  I was not able to find anyone who actually said those exact words, however I did find one statement in my view that is close enough. In October of 2010 Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, speaking at the 7th World Business Forum, stated “Even if the U.S. economy manages to grow, it will be too slow to provide enough jobs needed and a high unemployment rate will be a new normal for Americans”.

Cleveland County’s unemployment today is somewhere between 11-12%. I submit our current Land Use Plan is a  contributing factor to our continued high unemployment rate.  Why… because it clearly tells industry to KEEP OUT of Cleveland County. It actually states that “light” industry is preferred over “heavy” industry, because “heavy” industry is considered bad for the environment. Commissioner Falls stated at the Feb 15th Commissioner’s meeting that NO OTHER DOCUMENT is referenced more in the minutes of the Commissioner’s meetings than the Cleveland County Land Use Plan of 2005. It is also important to note that Bill Dustin, a Centralina Council of Governments official, was summoned to Feb 15th Commissioner’s meeting in order for the Board to officially notify Centralina that it is time to adjust the current version of the Land Use Plan. Ironically, the Shelby Star article that reported about the Feb 15th Commissioner’s meeting did not mention the Land Use Plan, or Centalina Council of Governments at all. Hmmm. Click here to see The Star article.

My first guess is, most Cleveland County residents are like I was a couple of months ago… “Cleveland County has a Land Use Plan, what’s a Land Use Plan?”

Yes we do. And it puts Cleveland County on a path of “Sustainable Development” that looks very much like that of the United Nations’ version of Sustainable Development.  A plan that puts a sizable impediment on Cleveland County’s growth. Because growth is well…unsustainable. As John W. Frece, Director of Smart Growth Program Development, Community and Environment Division, EPA puts it, state and local governments managing growth is always contentious. Mr. Frece says managing growth always ”pits individual rights vs. the collective good, freedom vs. governmental control, and communal benefits vs. individual benefits.” I think if you will take the time to read it yourself you will agree the current Land Use Plan certainly does those things.

My second guess is that our County Commissioners do not fully realize the true consequences of following a Land Use Plan that is written to support the “Sustainable Development” agenda. And in conjunction with new state law that formed a Sustainable Communities Task Force, Cleveland County and North Carolina are quickly heading down a ”democratic” path, that will continue to put more and more control of our lives into the hands of the trillion headed hydra leviathan that is our Federal Government.    

 

 

 

 

CCOG

 

The years of 2003-2005 were landmark years for the introduction of ”sustainable development” in Cleveland County. In November of 2003 the Board of Commissioners awarded a $68,000 contract to Centralina Council of Governments to create the Cleveland County Land Use Plan. Click here to download and read the LUP.

What is Centralina Council of Governments? It is an entity created by NC Statute in 1972. Click here to read about the creation of the Councils in North Carolina.  Interestingly, according to the NC Statute, Cleveland County is NOT a member of Centralina. We are a member of Isothermal Planning and Development Commission.

Nonetheless, the Land Use Plan as it is currently written shares some of the same terminology and goals of the Sustainable Development agenda being promoted by a group called ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. In fact, I would encourage the reader to print the ICLEI STAR Community Index Guidelines and compare them to the LUP and see the similarities for yourself. Bear in mind, funding and content for the ICLEI Star guidelines came from George Soros funded organizations like the Apollo Alliance and the Center for American Progress. Other contributing organizations were the AFL/CIO and Federal Agencies like the EPA. Click here to download and read the STAR Guidelines.

Now Centralina Council of Governments apparently does much more than simply create land use plans. They seem to also be in the business of “administering” other groups as well.  A good example  is Sustainable Development for Quality of Life, or SEQL.

SEQL

In 2005 both Cleveland County and the City of Shelby, “joined”  SEQL.  Pages 8-9 of the LUP details Cleveland County’s joining SEQL. Shelby joined SEQL with RESOLUTION NO. 7-2005

A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR QUALITY OF LIFE PROGRAM.

This is quoted directly from the Land Use Plan:

“Cleveland County has joined SEQL (Sustainable Environment for Quality of Life) an integrated strategy for local governments to address air quality, water resource, and sustainable growth issues. SEQL is funded, in part, by the USEPA and is administered by Centralina COG. By being a SEQL partner, Cleveland County pledges to undertake actions that will help promote environmentally sound policies”

Notice SEQL’s funding is provided by the EPA, and they are  “adminstered by” CCOG.

This is from the About Section of SEQL’s website: (click here to read)

“SEQL is an integrated environmental initiative for the 15-county metropolitan Charlotte region in North and South Carolina. SEQL involves elected officials, local government staffs, business and industry groups, economic development groups and environmental stakeholder groups working together toward viable solutions to regional growth. SEQL is regional in its vision and influence, but local in application. SEQL promotes implementation of specific Action Items on Air Quality, Sustainable Growth and Water Resources and consideration of environmental impacts in decision-making at local and regional levels. SEQL is funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Centralina Council of Governments in cooperation with Catawba Regional Council of Governments.”

If you still have doubts about SEQL’s definition of “sustainability”, visit the ”links” section of their website. SEQL links to ICLEI, EPA, DOE, and other sites like Car Free.com, click here to see.

Is it reasonable to say that Cleveland County, and Shelby, have in essence asked the EPA to write our Land Use Plan?

So how would the EPA ask us to use our land?

There is one thing for sure, they want a lot of bicycle, pedestrian, and “open” spaces. Bicycle and pedestrian paths are discussed on five pages each. The Land Use Plan states that Cleveland County communities should be “walkable” in nature, and that

“Multi-family development may be appropriate along the US 74 Corridor where it may be a form of transit-oriented development.”

 

Car Free’s website tag line says:

 “Carfree Cities and Carfree Design Manual proposea delightful solution to the vexing problem of urban automobiles.”

So I guess “transit-oriented”  development must mean putting housing near bike paths, sidewalks etc. because urban automobiles will be eliminated. Or maybe… they mean building housing near the commuter rail lines that the County Commissioners are currently discussing with NCDOT and Lake Norman RPO.

Oh let me make my third guess, you have not heard of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan either. Well do not feel bad. When Lake Norman RPO travelled all over the county educating Cleveland County residents at public meetings about the CTP, only 11 people signed in as having participated in two separate meetings in Lawndale and Shelby. I have no doubt that more than 11 people participated, but even if 100 people attended each meeting, it would still only represent .2% of the population of Cleveland County.

Lake Norman Rural Planning Organization

What is Lake Norman RPO? Once again it is an entity created by the NC Legislature. RPO stands for Rural Planning Organization. Click here to see their website.  You can read the history behind RPO’s in NC here on NCDOT’s website. The site states:

“In 2000, the State of North Carolina recognized the need for transportation planning in rural North Carolina areas not within an MPO by enacting Chapter 136, Article 17, Section 136-210-213 of the General Statutes. This provided for the development of  Rural Planning Organizations (RPO). There are 20 Rural Planning Organizations in the State.”

By law municipalities do not have to be members of their local RPO but counties do. By law Cleveland County is a member of Lake Norman RPO, we also pay yearly dues to the organization.

Lake Norman RPO is also “administered” by Centralina COG.

In a nutshell, not only does the CTP include the infamous Shelby Bypass, and many other road expansions and road “diets”, but it also includes (approx.) a 50 mile Bus Route, 50 miles of rail, and almost a 100 miles each of bicycle and pedestrian paths! And Lake Norman RPO/Centralina COG/NCDOT is pressuring our Commissioner’s to approve this plan. In the Feb 1st Commissioner’s meeting the CTP was tabled by the Commissioner’s. The Shelby Star did not report about that either. It is supposed to be discussed more fully in the Feb 24th Commissioer’s working session. Click the CTP link below to see Lake Norman RPO/NCDOT proposed maps for the pedestrian, bicycle, bus, and rail lines.

CTP001

I am sure it is just a weird coincidence that ICLEI’s STAR Guidelines state under the HOUSING section:

[sustainable communities] Foster the preservation, construction and maintenance of an adequate supply of healthful, affordable, resource-efficient, and inclusive housing. Residential development should be available to all ages, abilities, incomes, and household sizes and be located in environmentally safe areas near public transportation…

AND our LUP calls for compact walkable communities, and transit-oriented [residential] development,

AND our CTP calls for BUS, pedestrian, Bicycle, and Rail lines right?

 If you believe that, I have some beachfront property I want to sell you located in Asheville. Centralina has also informed our Commissioners that most of the CTP is unfunded at this point, but that they should approve it anyway.

It is my sincere hope that my fellow citizen’s of Cleveland County will begin making their presence felt at the Commissioner’s meetings, and that they will make their voices heard about an LUP that places “sustainable growth” ahead of economic growth.

This is where NC is headed: where we live in a world where we have to sue to install wastewater plants!

“Delawares’ Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin P. O’Mara said in his opinion that a proposed 39,600 gallon-per-day wastewater plant for The Landings was “contrary to sound environmental policies” and “will enable intensive development to occur in an environmentally sensitive area” outside Delaware’s targeted growth zones.” Click here to read article.

This is the exact type of policies the Sustainable Communities Task Force will attempt to implement in your town.

Great New Tool by Freedom Works for Grassroot Networking and Communication

It is called Freedom Connect. Check it out when you get a chance. I think it could turn into a great tool for communication and more importantly, coordination of the conservative grass root movement. Click here to join.

Weekly Digest: Water Control in NC, NCDENR working with EPA, NC city and state representatives discuss the U.S.-China EcoPartnerships program with the Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs, and Duke Energy collaborates with China’s biggest energy provider

Who controls your Water usage in NC?

If you are a regular reader of the Gaspee you may have already seen this video. However, if you have not, it is vital you watch this video first. In the first few minutes of this video sustainability expert, Andrew Winston,  admits that Climate Change Science has been downgraded to more theory than science. However, in his very next breath he claims we are in store for a world wide water shortage armegeddon! Later in the video he quotes the CEO of Duke Energy talking about sustainability in the corporate world . This video truly gives you a great 30,000 ft. view of the sustainability agenda and how vast it has already spread in the US.

State, and Local water “shortages” will be the next “emergency” that the globalists, posing as sustainabilists, will not let go to waste in NC. Once again I will try my best to show you where to connect the dots but YOU will have to do the work.  All the key players from the Feds, coordinating with Raleigh, are poised to swoop in and declare  a drought emergency, and use it to do God Only Knows what.  

This tale begins with a news release about an impending NC drought from NCDENR.

Before you read the news release it is important for you to first recognize the role of NCDENR (still controlled by the Executive Branch of NC)  in the sustainable development agenda in NC.  In SB 897 NCDENR has been legally charged for the ”redevelopment of the State’s communities in a sustainable manner”.  Section 13.5 of SB 897  states:

“§ 143B-344.34  creates the North Carolina Sustainable Communities Task Force

 (a) The General Assembly finds that the rapid growth of the urban and suburban areas of North Carolina and the economic challenges facing many of the State’s urban cores, rural areas, and smaller communities create a significant need for the strategic use of resources to plan and accommodate healthy and equitable development without compromising natural systems and the needs of future generations of North Carolinians.

(b) The General Assembly finds that the following principles describe sustainable development for North Carolina’s communities:

(1) Better transportation choices. – Offering safe, reliable, and economical motorized and nonmotorized transportation options to decrease household transportation costs

Equitable, affordable housing. – Encouraging the provision to North Carolina citizens of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities expanded location-, water-, and energy-efficient housing choices that increase mobility, decrease the impact on existing water and energy infrastructure, and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.

(4) Support of existing communities. – Targeting public funds toward existing communities that are using strategies such as transit-oriented, mixed-use development, and land recycling to increase community revitalization, enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of public works investments, and protect rural landscapes.

Recognize and support communities and neighborhoods. – Preserving and enhancing the unique characteristics of rural, urban, and suburban communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods.

There is created within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the North Carolina Sustainable Communities Task Force to lead and support the State’s sustainable communities initiatives. The duties of the Task Force shall be as follows:

(2) To promote regional partnerships and to assist local governments and regional or interlocal organizations in North Carolina in seeking and managing funding from federal, public, or private initiatives, grant programs, or donors related to the planning, development, or redevelopment of the State’s communities in a sustainable manner.

Now read the NCDENR drought news release. Click HERE.

The news release mentions a public/private group called the Drought Advisory Management Council.

I say public/private because it contains Federal agencies, State agencies, and the University of Nebraska’s Drought Mitigation Center. The Drought Advisory Council also has a .ORG at the end of their website not a .GOV. 

This deliberate tangling of governmental and private interests is particularly dangerous because any recommendations for water usage at the state or county level the council makes, based on “data” from the University, is NOT subject to Freedom of Information Act. This council, and the NC Laws that empower it, is a small nudge designed to take more power away from We The People.

Click here to see the Drought Advisory Council’s website.

The following is from the About Us section of the Drought Advisory Management Council:

“The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council that originated in 1992 was given official statutory status and assigned the responsibility for issuing drought advisories in 2003. The drought advisories provide accurate and consistent information to assist local governments and other water users in taking appropriate drought response actions in specific areas of the state that are exhibiting impending or existing drought conditions.

The Drought Monitoring Council was an interagency coordination and information exchange body created in 1992. In 2002, the council did a creditable job monitoring and coordinating drought responses, while increasing public awareness of the council’s function and effectiveness. The General Assembly recognized the Drought Monitoring Council’s leadership and performance by giving them an official statutory base and changed its name to the Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) to reflect the broader role of the council, which extends beyond monitoring drought conditions.

On July 17, 2003, North Carolina General Statute 143.355.1 was ratified to assign the DMAC an important new role, which became evident in 2002. A number of local governments indicated that it would be helpful to have official, objective drought status advisories to give them a reliable basis for their management responses. The new statute assigned this new advisory role to the DMAC and also specified that drought advisories are to be based on technical data to address varying conditions throughout the state. The new system avoids the problems that some states have experienced in declaring drought warnings statewide, when conditions did not warrant it in all regions of the state, by tailoring advisories to local conditions. When determining the issuance of a drought advisory, the Council takes into account stream flows, ground water levels, the amount of water stored in reservoirs, weather forecasts, the time of year, and other relevant factors for assessing the location and severity of drought conditions.

The intent of the new statute is for the DMAC to continue with essentially the same membership and functions that the Drought Monitoring Council previously exercised, but with new statutory authority and a new responsibility for providing a system of localized drought assessment and to issue advisories when needed. Importantly, the operation of the DMAC continues to carry on the same role as the Drought Monitoring Council did in support of the North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan and the activation of the Drought Assessment and Response Plan.

The General Assembly amended the statute in 2004, requiring the Council to submit an activities report to the Secretary, the Governor, and the Environmental Review Commission by October 1st of each year. The report includes a review of drought advisories issued by the Council and any recommendations to improve coordination among local, State, and federal agencies; public water systems; and water users. The purpose of the report is to continue to identify areas for improving the management and mitigation of the harmful effects of drought. (2003-387, s. 2; 2004-195, s. 2.5)

An act to improve drought preparedness and response in North Carolina as recommended by the Environmental Review Commission was signed into law by Gov. Mike Easley on July 31, 2008. Drought Legislation, Section 16 of Session Law 2008-143 included added detail about members and participants in the work of the DMAC The Representatives designated to serve on the Council will have expertise or responsibility in meteorology, ground water and surface water hydrology, water system operation and management, reservoir management, emergency response, or another subject area related to assessment and management of drought impacts. Other agencies and organizations may be invited that represent water users, including local governments, agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, manufacturing, investor-owned water utilities regulated by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, and others as appropriate to participate in the work of the Council with respect to particular drought related issues.

Organizations invited to serve on the Council include:

• NC Cooperative Extension Service
• State Climate Office at North Carolina State University
• NC Public Staff of the Utilities Commission
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission
• NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• NC Department of Commerce
• NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety
• US National Weather Service, NOAA
• US Geological Survey
• US Army Corps of Engineers
• US Department of Agriculture
• Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Department of Homeland Security <!–
• Other agencies and organizations that represent water users, including local governments, agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, manufacturing, and others, as appropriate, to designate a representative to serve on the Council or to participate in the work of the Council with respect to particular drought related issues

The Chair of the Council is an employee of DENR designated by the Department. The Council is required to meet at least once in each calendar year in order to maintain appropriate agency readiness and participation. In addition, the Council will meet on the call of the Chair to respond to drought conditions.

A main purpose of the DMAC is to provide consistent and accurate information on drought conditions in the state to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the Environmental Management Commission, the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Environmental Review Commission, and the public.

In the matter of DMAC issuing drought classification and response actions by county, SL 2008-143 requires that if the U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina shows more than one drought designation in a county, the drought classification for the county is the highest drought designation that applies to at least twenty five percent (25%) of the land area of the county. Drought response actions are based on the drought classification for each county within a drought area that is listed each Thursday on the DMAC Website.

The law states that the council may recommend to the secretary a drought designation for a county that is different from the designation based on the U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina if the depiction of drought does not accurately reflect localized conditions. In recommending a drought designation that differs from the U.S. Drought Monitor designation, the council will consider stream flows, ground water levels, the amount of water stored in reservoirs, weather forecasts, the time of year and other factors that are relevant to determining the location and severity of drought conditions.”

Did you catch the Federal Agencies involved?

USDA, NOAA, USGS, and Homeland Security?  Why is Homeland Security involved at all, in ANY desicion making process related to drought conditions in NC ?

If you visit the US Department of States Sustainable Development Partnerships website (click here)  you will see that USDA, NOAA, and USGS are major Ferderal players in the sustainable agenda.

Also NOAA, US Department of Energy, EPA, and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were also major contributors to the ICLEI/STAR guidelines.  

Below is a candid video of an NOAA scientist publically calling for population reduction, a major theme of sustainable development, in the US and the world, and “empowering women to not have children by providing them birth control”.  

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

today announced the formation of Sustainable

Communities Building Blocks

I picked this story up from the Green Gov list serve, managed by the UNC System. Green Gov is used frequently by ICLEI to coordinate efforts amoung NC cities on sustainable initiatives. Notice at the end the contact info for the  Program Director of the Sustainable Communities Initiative, Office of Conservation, Planning & Community Affairs, North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources is listed. I assume that means he posted this story to the Green Gov UNC List Serv.

Release date: 02/03/2011

Contact Information: Richard Yost, yost.richard@epa.gov, 202-564-7827, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the formation of Sustainable Communities Building Blocks, a program designed to help interested communities adopt sustainable planning methods. Sustainable planning helps safeguard the environment and spur economic development while also improving Americans’ health. Interested communities are invited to apply to receive technical assistance during a day-long session that will help them achieve their sustainable planning goals. The application period opens on February 3 and ends on February 23, 2011.

“We’re pleased to be part of this program to help communities build vibrant, healthy neighborhoods where families want to live and businesses want to invest and grow,” EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe said. “Through this program, we’ll walk communities through the process of making smart, cost-effective investments by helping them navigate existing tools vital to securing a lasting foundation for prosperity.”

EPA will work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to select 20 participating communities through a competitive process. During the day-long session, participants will explore proven sustainability tools, including zoning code reviews, walkability assessments, parking policy analysis, climate action planning, and commuter benefits. Each community will select a specific tool to focus on and also learn about general smart growth development strategies.

Sustainable Communities Building Blocks is being coordinated through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a joint effort between the EPA, HUD, and DOT to coordinate federal actions on housing, transportation, and environmental protection. This interagency collaboration achieves efficient federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services that meet multiple economic, environmental, and community objectives.

More information and submission instructions for the Sustainable Communities Building Blocks Program: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities:http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/partnership/index.html

Brian Byfield, AICP
Program Director
Sustainable Communities Initiative
Office of Conservation, Planning & Community Affairs
North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources
e:  brian.byfield@ncdenr.gov
p:  919 715 7691
f:   919 715 3060

 

NC city and state representatives discuss the U.S.-

China EcoPartnerships program with the Bureau of

Oceans and International Environment and Scientific

Affairs

Clicke here for article.

“On Monday, January 31, I co-hosted with the office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change (S/SECC) and the Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs (OES) over fifty energy, environment and climate officers, as well as representatives of their professional organizations, for a post-Cancun conversation about climate change. Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change Dr. Jonathan Pershing served as the distinguished speaker. Representatives from state and city governments from California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin joined us in the dialogue. Organizations of elected state and local officials — such as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), the National League of Cities (NLC), and Sister Cities International (SCI) — engaged in the conversation. Policy specialists from the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS), the Georgetown Climate Center (GCC), and the U.S. Green Building Council (GBC) shared global and local perspectives. Eric Maltzer from OES shared information about the U.S.-China EcoPartnerships program.”

Duke Energy and China’s ENN Group Collaborate on

Green Cities Initiative

Fantastic! I guess if they own 25% of our debt they get to have a say in the US’s energy usage.

Duke Energy and ENN Group Collaborate on Green Cities Initiative – Duke Energy.

I am encouraging my in and out of state readers, if you have not already, begin focusing very closley to what your state capitals are doing. I believe God’s divine intervention, and the power vested in the States within the 10th Amendement, are are only hope of irradicating this political agenda.

Another reason to repeal Obama Care.

NEJM: Integrated smart growth needed for Medicaid expansion.

This study shows that several states including North Carolina will NOT be able to handle the influx of Medicaid patients that ObamaCare will create by 2014 because of eligibility threshold for nonelderly adults will rise to 133 percent of the federal poverty level.

There are better ways to solve the problem of providing healthcare to our neighbors whom are uninsured than a massive government takeover of it. Within a 20 minute drive of my house there are two FREE health clinics, both of which provide meds as well.  The free clinic in Spartanburg, SC does not take one dime from any government agency. Click here to read more about St. Luke’s.

St. Luke’s took in $589,000 of private donations, and provided over $6 million of medical care. And they were recently honored by the SC Secretary of State by being chosen for the “Angel’s List,” commending the Clinic for the allocation and use of funds.

How can they receive $589K and multiply it into $6 Million…because they are not government beaurocrats!

There is also a network for other free clinics in North Carolina, click here to see.