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| Zoning top issue at commissioners’
forum |
David Forbes
Staff Writer
SGA Beat |
Josh Brown | Chief Photographer
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Candidates for three
Watauga County Commissioner seats debated at the Commissioners’
Forum Monday night on a proposed zoning ordinance. The ordinance was
written to regulate where ‘high-impact industries’ like
factories and warehouses can build in Watauga County and what environmental
precautions must be taken.
Democrats Sue Sweeting, Pat Wilkie and Dave Robertson
were in favor of the ordinance, stating environmental and health reasons. |
“There are 10 industries
that we are looking at which are high polluting industries to regulate,”
said Sweeting, explaining the ordinance. “They can go anywhere
in this county, but if they’re going next to your school, your
home, or your church there are certain requirements they have to meet.”
“Zoning against polluting industries is going
to protect that person out in the county,” said Wilkie. “If
you have a home out there and someone tries to build a chemical plant
next to it, you have no recourse. We need zoning to protect that person.”
“I think these mountains are too precious
to give away to the whim of each individual land owner to do exactly
as they please,” said Robertson, also the director of Student
Programs at Appalachian. “I think that if you’re investing
money in a home or a business you deserve to know that your investment
will be protected.”
Republicans David Blust, Keith Honeycutt and Allen
Trivette were against zoning, citing a need for less government intrusion
in the lives of Watauga County residents.
“Individual property rights are being taken
away, and that issue’s not even coming up,” said Blust.
“You go out in the county and talk to individual land owners
that have lived here for years and they don’t want people telling
them what they can’t do. I don’t think we need to put any
more rules and regulations on these people.”
“I’m opposed to zoning 100 percent,”
said Trivette. “If you have zoning, you can’t keep anything
completely out of Watauga County; [existing] regulations can do that.”
“There’s a high likelihood of liability
and lawsuits that go along with zoning,” said Honeycutt. “I’m
against zoning, although I believe the county must plan.”
The Commissioner’s Forum was co-sponsored
by the Student Government Association, Staff Council and Faculty Senate.
“Staff Council came to us and asked if we’d
like to join with them and Faculty Senate for a joint project,”
said SGA Vice President Ezell P. Williams.
“[The forum] is part of an effort to join
students with the community,” said SGA President Ryan Eller.
“We’re trying to educate students so they can vote, as citizens,
in the next election.”
Williams said SGA handled the reservation and set
up of the Table Rock room in the student union for the forum and set
the format for the debate, while Staff Council and Faculty Senate
handled publicity.
Eller said another debate, closer to the election,
is possible.
“In my mind this is possibly the most vital
county commissioner election in decades,” said Eller. “Students
can sway which way this election goes single-handedly.”
Anyone registered to vote in Watauga County may
cast their votes for three candidates in elections on November 5.
“Remember, it doesn’t matter who you
vote for,” said Peggy Ellis, chair of Staff Council. “It
matters that you vote.” |
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