Posted on 09/15/2010 9:09:24 AM PDT by bamahead
CLARKSTON, GA (CNN) - A Georgia man is headed to court over how many vegetables he can grow on his land. Code enforcement says until recently, the farmer had too many vegetable plants for his property in Clarkston, just outside Atlanta.
Steve Miller's profession is landscaping, but his passion is growing organic vegetables. That passion landed the Clarkston man in court. Before he rezoned the land two months ago, DeKalb County Code Enforcement cited him for illegal growing crops and using unpermitted workers.
"I never realized this could get me in trouble," Miller said. "In fact, it was a shock when I was told I couldn't have this many vegetables."
Miller says he sells some of the food at area farmers markets and gives some away to friends. When he applied for rezoning, his attorney says the county put the charges on hold but are now seeking $5,000 in fines.
"How are they protecting the public, health and welfare of the citizens of DeKalb County by prosecuting this man on previous offenses that are now no longer offenses," said attorney Doug Dillard.
Alice Rolls, executive director of Georgia Organics, predicts more cases like this as vegetable gardens make a comeback.
"As agriculture comes back into urban areas we are dealing with old laws on the books," she said.
Miller says he'll likely spend more than $27,000 on the zoning fight, admitting that's a lot of money to grow greens.
"I'm amazed they are still coming after me," he said.
A spokesperson for DeKalb County says officials can't discuss the matter because it is in court.
(Excerpt) Read more at walb.com ...
That's just it. According to the zoning laws, he was growing 'illegal' plants.
This is the result of what happens when government decides it can tell you how much of or what kind of vegetation you can possess.
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You can't regulate your way to safety or Freedom anymore than you can tax your way to prosperity.
It's a simple Law of Nature that Americans have long forgotten.
The real question that Conservatives must ask in matters like this is: What real interests did the "old laws" actually serve in the first place?
The foundational meaning of "to regulate" means "to make regular"(transparency, level-playing field, inhibiting criminal intent), not "to control" (manage).
I think that anything that is rotten would be suitable. :-)
There are other ways.........Tar, Feathers, run them out of town.
Those methods tend to be frowned upon though.
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Illegal is illegal. No Amnesty. :)
Violating many stupid laws is common sense.
I’m a DeKalb County resident. I’ll try to remember to raise some heck about this when I get home next week. Our current CEO seems pretty sensible for a Democrat (I know, I know, damning with faint praise).
And stifling self sufficiency. Without relying on Big Government, people might live well!
Those were illegal plants.
There was legislation in GA not long ago (I don’t know how far it got) that was meant to override laws like this and allow people to grow backyard gardens. The only thing it didn’t override was homeowner assn rules.
“A spokesperson for DeKalb County says officials can’t discuss the matter because it is in court.”
The way to deal with fascists is to stick a gun in their face and tell them to back off or else.
Reagan did that to the entire fascist soviet empire and they backed off. Mr. Reagan had balls bigger than the entire Soviet Union.
No more Mr. Nice Guy, he said. Surrender or die.
Love that man.
If RINOs don’t get it, tough. Patriots will. We need to follow Mr. Reagan’s example.
What real reason should any plant be illegal, if you are a free person. If a (1) plant can be illegal. Then the government can make limits on how many carrots and or corn you grow.
Oh, that’s coming, don’t worry. Monsanto has it all under control.
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