Re: What on earth's going on?

[Guest guest]

There may be more to the story as there usually is.

Nonetheless, it is still chilling.

From SoilandHealth..............

Well, there is a bit more to this story than the reports lead you to

believe. First of all, the fight started long before January. It's been

about two years. Steve was growing on this land long before that.

A neighbor complaint was involved.

There ended up being sort of a feud between the farmer and the

inspector in which inappropriate things were said on both sides out of

anger. This sort of escalated into the issue at hand now.

Sadly, this will effect all small home based urban farmers in this

county, a county which has been tussling with the whole idea of urban

homesteading. It is still illegal to have any sort of husbandry animal

on residential properties there - no chickens, no bees, nothing. This

isn't any " fancy " place to live, either. Most communities in this

county are humble, suburban locations and homes that are modestly

priced. A large part of the population are from diverse ethnic

backgrounds and people who have a cultural history of growing their own

foods and raising small animals or keeping bees. Steve has a growing

number of supporters in his fight.

On Sep 13, 2010, at 6:03 AM, barsahati wrote:

> You think the government should promote small farmers and food growers

> in order to make more food available and keep prices in balance. But

> no. Not new,nazi governments! This is crazy! In the end I think the

> strongest will prevail,but my gut tells me that'll be a long and

> costly(as in lives) struggle!

>

> http://www.wsbtv.com/news/24979774/detail.html

>

> County Sues Farmer, Cites Too Many Crops

>

> DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- DeKalb County is suing a local farmer for

> growing too many vegetables, but he said he will fight the charges in

> the ongoing battle neighbors call " Cabbagegate. "

> Fig trees, broccoli and cabbages are among the many greens that line

> the soil on Steve 's more than two acres in ston, who said

> he has spent fifteen years growing crops to give away and sell at

> local farmers markets.

> " It's a way of life, like it's something in my blood, " said .

> In January, Dekalb County code enforcement officers began ticketing

> him for growing too many crops for the zoning and having unpermitted

> employees on site.

> stopped growing vegetables this summer and the charges were

> put on hold as he got the property rezoned.

> Two weeks after approval, however, his attorney said the county began

> prosecuting the old charges, saying he was technically in violation

> before the rezoning.

> " It should go away. I think it borders on harassment, " said 's

> attorney Doug Dillard.

> faces nearly $5,000 in fines, but he said he plans to fight

> those citations in recorders court later this month.

> A county spokesperson said officials can't discuss the matter while

> it is in court, but neighbors were quick to come to his defense.

> " When he moved here and I found out what he was doing I said, `Steve,

> you're the best thing that ever happened to Cimarron Drive. And I

> still say that, " said neighbor Britt Fayssoux.

>

>

>

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