Today, December 9, 2009, Union County's confiscation of money for private property owners was ruled illegal!
The N.C. Court of Appeals ruled today, by unanimous decision, that the APFO ordinance created and passed by former commissioner's Roger Lane, Hughie Sexton and Richard Stone was illegal. The court ruled that under state law, Union County did not have the legal right to do this. Money is now due to those property owners who were forced to pay this illegal fee. And they can recoup with interest per their legal right!
Now taxpayers have to suffer because of the shortsightedness and illegal actions of former commissioner's Stone, Lane and Sexton. Money that has been confiscated will now be due to those property owners with interest.
When will our elected officials learn that you can't just confiscate property like the illegal ETJ and now with fees that simply aren't constitutional?
The free market dictates growth as this county has never had a revenue problem rather we have a spending problem. I highlight the study done this past year by the John Locke Foundation found here at http://www.johnlocke.org/policy_reports/display_story.html?id=195
Our current debt problem has NOT been because of growth. Growth means more revenue. Roger Lane advocated building more schools as commissioner and put bond referendums on the ballot (then campaigned hard for them) to trick county residents. Our schools have plenty of vacancies which will be shown in a different post in a few weeks.
Here's a solution government leaders. Instead of passing illegal laws and making text ammendments to control more private property, why don't you focus on creating jobs and allowing more growth. Again, the free market dictates where people live and no one, minus Stalin himself, can stop that.
I'm thankful our judicial system still respects the rule of law and property owners. Lots more to come on this as our current county commissioners are setting our citizens up for huge tax increases and no growth at all. Union County is losing but perhaps a new change in leadership will change this.
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What did you expect from Roger Lane? As a former liberal democrat, he will do anything, even change parties to get elected! Just not this time! We saw what he was about!
ReplyDeleteWell now you know darn well this decision was made by bought and paid for judges....it is impossible for the likes of Roger Lane and Rick Becker to be wrong. Judges who swear an oath to uphold the Constitution are the evil ones here.
ReplyDeleteJust preparing everyone for the response we'll be getting from the anti-growth crowd. They always blame everyone else, and never accept that they are wrong. Not unlike Barack Obama, they get their guidance from the Saul Alinsky school of thinking....always demoralize and attack your enemy.
I read the EJ yesterday and couldn't believe that Roger Lane is running again for county commissioner? How much money has he already cost our county? How much money did it cost to litigate this when it's clear that the AFPO was illegal from the start.
ReplyDeleteGod help us if Roger Lane gets elected. I know my family down in the Stallings area will be working to keep him out!
Well I hate to add "insult to injury" but in Mr. Lane's announcement, he mentioned the last election cycle he chose not to run because of the passing of his wife.
ReplyDeleteThough I want to express my sincere condolence, what difference did that make when he got married three weeks later to a young woman?