My understanding was the Pickens County Comprehensive Plan was shelved and was never approved. Yet the County Council is getting ready to amend it. Pickens County Taxpayer Association and Conservatives of the Upstate members vehemently opposed the Comprehensive Plan several years ago, as it is a danger to Pickens County citizenry’s rights.

By amending this supposedly “shelved plan,” does this make it valid now?

Both Pickens County Taxpayer Association and Conservatives of the Upstate have spoken numerous times on our disapproval of any plan that weakens citizens’ rights especially in the area of property rights. There was objectionable language in the plan that we brought attention to several years ago.

By passing this amendment, I am assuming the plan now is being taken off the shelf and given teeth. I oppose taking this Comprehensive Plan off the shelf along with Conservatives of the Upstate members. We were assured it didn’t have any teeth and just sat on a shelf.

Council’s number one priority should be protecting Pickens’ citizens’ rights. I truly understand the safety issue of the coal ash. But by amending the plan, I fear this gives the “shelved plan” teeth for misuse by other forces such as HUD and the EPA as well as non-governmental groups like Ten at the Top and Upstate Forever to have ammo to further their agenda.

Sustainable development encompasses every aspect of our lives and its goal is social equity. It is a political movement to replace capitalism with government control of everything. It is a relentless attack of property rights and freedom.

Please ask our council to be vigilant on what they are about to do by opening the door to this document by amending it. Taking it off the shelf gives it new life.

Johnnelle Raines

Pickens