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Getting their way
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Published: August 21, 2009
Serving the interests of the majority, while appeasing a very vocal minority and preserving the rights of all property owners is a difficult, if not impossible, task.
Iredell County commissioners faced that challenge Tuesday night when more than 100 residents of the Elmwood community packed the commissioners meeting room to express their vehement opposition to an asphalt plant and quarry planned for their backyard.
In this instance, after commissioners agreed that the proposed site was not suited for commercial use, it appears the vocal minority prevailed. Time will tell if that decision will also serve the interests of the majority and the rights of the property owners, particularly the Boggs Group.
Commissioner Steve Johnson, a vocal property rights champion in the past, made the motion to essentially notify representatives of the Boggs Group that they faced an uphill battle in their efforts to develop and use the property for an asphalt plant and rock quarry.
The board's decision in this matter demonstrated to these residents and others throughout the county that if enough people get behind a movement, the commissioners can be swayed. The question going forward is how many people do you need to win over the board: What's the magic number? Is it 100? Fifty people with colorful signs? Ten with a bullhorn and cowbells?
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