To the editor:

Have we as a society really evolved to have peace without some ordinances that help ensure it? It would make for peace if everyone lived by the golden rule yet sometimes we may unknowingly do something that affects someone else.

Since insurance does not cover damages due to landslides, what protection is in place to compensate landowners whose homes are damaged due to landslides?  Why would anyone resent having rules for building that protected their own and others investments? If permits are given to build on slopes, wouldn’t it show responsibility by the permitting government to advise the builder to check with an engineer to help insure that their actions would not harm another property or their own?  If soil testing were required for sloped land, wouldn’t that be a responsible expense similar to having your car inspected?  Wouldn’t a convenience to builders of having consolidated codes in one document, such as the UDO be similar to having your taxes prepared by someone who knew all the new tax laws?

Why is it that the current talk about property rights only seems to protect current builders? Surely nobody knowingly sets out to create eyesores for neighbors yet anyone would agree that views do matter.  What about the property rights of those who already own homes?  Even with having animal control laws, there seemed to be nothing that animal control could do about a nuisance situation that we had in the county. The animal owner was not willing to promote peace but since moved.

Wouldn’t it be nice if candidates for office showed integrity in their treatment of fellow candidates by not misrepresenting them? Wouldn’t it be nice if matters that affect us all were treated responsibly by all candidates and not used to win elections?

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31.  Wouldn’t it be nice?

– Julie Perkins,

Tryon