York County wages war on private property owners

“You can do whatever you want with your property, as long as it is what WE want you to do!” ~ From your friendly York County Supervisors.

I’ve known Greg Garrett and his wife for 25 years. Our families went to church together in Hampton Roads when I was a teenager and they continue to be close family friends. I have watched in amazement and with a great deal of admiration while Greg has fought a costly battle to defend our most basic rights as American citizens – private property.

The short story is that Greg Garrett owns property that is zoned agriculture that sits at the mouth of the York River and Chesapeake Bay. It is a stunning piece of property where he raises what he fondly calls, “Forbidden Oysters (TM),” because the local government keeps trying to outlaw his farming business. Greg obtained 10 different permits in order to have this aquaculture business, but the county decided to require a 11th permit to prevent him from doing business. Mind you, he can freely raise smelly pigs (and I can attest to their smell at my own farm), but those noisy, smelly, obnoxious oysters that just sit at the bottom of the river – OUTLAWED!

Greg Garrett sued the county and won, but the county appealed and won on a technicality. The General Assembly decided to get involved and they passed an almost unanimous (128-5), bi-partisan bill to overturn the courts and make sure that aquaculture and agriculture are treated the same way. So how does the county respond? They are trying rezone Greg Garrett so he won’t be agriculture anymore before this new General Assembly law takes affect!!!

If you want the three minute overview of this case, I strongly encourage you to watch this short John Stossel interview with Greg Garrett.

Eating Forbidden Oysters (TM) at the Garrett fundraiser in their home

Greg and his wife held a fundraiser for me at their house when I was running for U.S. Senate and my family had the opportunity to eat some of these Forbidden Oysters. I was a rebel with a cause, eating those oysters three different ways – steamed, grilled, and baked! It was rebellion on a plate!

Now you can join in the rebellion. A Pitchfork Rally is being held tomorrow before the York County Planning Commission meets at 7pm. I will be there to stand alongside my friend! Please join me and show your support for private property or you might discover that you are the next target.