Property rights

The issue of Property Rights is one of the most important issues to me - from before my election as the Courtland Representative on the Board of Supervisors through today - and will always be very important to me. 

I tie each Citizen's property rights to Liberty and our Founding Fathers.  Virginia's very own George Mason wrote The Virginia Declaration of Rights, which was drafted and adopted by the Fifth Virginia Convention at Williamsburg in 1776 and became a foundational document for both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. 
Section 1 of that document states:
That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

While on serving on the Board, I have had the opportunity to protect our property rights.  Below are a few examples. 

Property Rights amendment - 2012

Promise delivered - Standing up for Virginia Property rights - against the Virginia Association of Counties (VACOs).  

In 2012, the General Assembly passed an amendment to the Virginia State Constitution to shore up property rights.  VACOs, to which Spotsylvania tax payers pay annual dues of approximately $30,000 lobbied the General Assembly and local counties to oppose the amendment.  

Essentially, VACO's was using tax-payer money in opposition to the best interest of the taxpayer - so I fought to pull Spotsylvania County's membership out of VACOs.  Unfortunately, I lost by a vote of 2 to 5 - but I proved to my Constituents that I will fight for them.  

The late Paul Akers from the FLS wrote an editorial titled "Spotsylvania Tea Time" which far more eloquently than I could ever be, describes how Courtland was represented.  

Sheraton Hills sign

During the Route 3 widening project - VDOT deemed the original brick Sheraton Hills sign, located at Rt 3 and Sheraton Hills Drive to be unsafe if a car were to run into it.  They subsequently knocked the sign down and removed it without any intent to replace it.  

For the neighborhood, this sign represented their history.  I worked with a small business, the residents of Sheraton Hills, and County Staff to have the sign replaced at no cost to the Residents of Sheraton Hills.  


This was a small effort to help replace what a State agency had taken from them.   

water tower or cell tower

Property rights can swing both ways.  I believe a person should be able to do anything (legal) on their property that they should desire to do . . . as long as it doesn't interfere with the property rights of others, of course.  


The county had planned to tear down a structurally sound, but unsightly water tower that was no longer in use, though it was acting as a platform for a cell phone transceiver.  The cell phone carrier petitioned the board of supervisors to erect a cell tower at another location close to the water tower that would have been in the back yards of many residents. 


After listening to the carrier and the county planners, I proposed not tearing the tower down and continuing to use it as a cell tower for the provider that was there.  I consider water towers to be a symbol of America, and if maintained, to be preferred over cell phone towers.  In the final agreement the County painted the tower at a small cost and in return the cell phone carrier pays the County over $34K/year for the next 7 years = 241K and then even more if the contract is renewed - I'd call this a WIN - WIN for Citizen's property rights and the County.   
Picture
Cherry Lane water tower / cell tower / revenue producer to Spotsylvania.

proposed toll road

The proposed route of the toll road swept right through the heart of the Riverbend precinct of the Courtland District.  The main purpose of the road appeared to be to support land development in the City of Fredericksburg rather than solving any actual transportation issues. 

In opposing this unnecessary use of eminent domain - (government taking of Citizen's property), I have a proven record of fully supporting the citizens of Courtland.

Eminent domain should only be used as a last resort for the proven benefit / necessity of the community at large and never for economic development. 

I made a promise to support the Citizens of Courtland on the proposed toll road.  Promise delivered!
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