“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” Declaration of Independence
A great big thank you to the Arizona Liberty grassroots group and all those who have worked hard to educate the citizens of Sedona and the Verde Valley to the dangers of the proposed Sedona Verde Valley Red Rock National Monument. The biggest issue was the loss of local and state control.
I hesitate in naming you in person fearing that I will leave someone out, but you all know who you are and what you have done to protect your community and area from more restrictions, and loss of individual freedoms.
Motivated by Arizona Liberty and other organizations, citizens got involved, spoke out, and lobbied against the proposed monument to their neighbors, city council members, state officials and Congressional delegation. They did their research and held meeting after meeting asking the important questions that needed answers before a monument was designated.
Because a group of concerned citizens took the time, energy, and their own resources to get involved, they have been able to slow down this proposal and have realized the first important vote against the monument: the Sedona City Council voted 6 to 1 against the proposed monument yesterday.
I am very grateful to the Sedona City Council, and I know that it was not easy for them to come to the vote they did. It was through much thought and discussion that they made their decision after listening to the citizens in their town.
Never doubt that a group of well-organized and educated citizens can make a difference. I can’t stress enough how important it is for the people to stand up and speak out to preserve good governing principles based upon individual constitutional freedoms.
The work is not done. We are only just beginning. Congressman Grijalva has introduced a bill to create the Grand Canyon Water Shed Monument if the President doesn’t create it through the Antiquities Act. Congressman Grijalva’s bill brings up the same unanswered questions as the Red Rock proposal:
- Who regulates private property if it is layered under a monument?
- Which agency of law enforcement has jurisdiction? City or county? Local or federal?
- Can the Federal Government put a fee upon private property inside the monument for management cost of the monument?
- What happens to State Land?
- Who controls the water in the Monument, State or Federal?
- Are individual rights protected such as water claims, mineral claims, or grazing leases?
- Is access for hunting, camping or fishing restricted or cut off? Will roads be closed?
We must know these answers before we can support any more Federal control of our state.
Come on, people! Let’s mount our horses and head them off at the pass. The good guys can win, and we can protect our state. Just look at the success so far in Sedona with Arizona Liberty!