20/08/2024
Just over a year ago, concerned residents gathered at a commissioner meeting, urgently requesting the officials to halt the impending vote on regulations that could drastically alter their community. Their heartfelt pleas fell on deaf ears, as the commissioners chose to proceed with their plans. This disregard for the voices of the people ignited a fierce battle—a combat for betterment that would test the limits of their resolve.
From the outset, the residents faced significant obstacles. They were met with misinformation from county officials and the county attorney, who misled them about the implications of the proposed regulations. Furthermore, their attempts to voice concerns during planning and zoning meetings were restrained, with the chairman of the planning and zoning board falsely claiming that the residents were "unrealistic to work with." Even the local news sources had a slanted side against them. Such dismissive attitudes only fueled the community's determination to fight back and reclaim their voice in governance.
Undeterred by these challenges, the residents of Linn County rallied together. They attended every planning and zoning meeting and commissioners meeting, armed with knowledge and a clear sense of purpose. Recognizing that education was key to their success, they took it upon themselves to inform not only their neighbors but also themselves about the regulatory processes that affected their lives. This grassroots education effort laid the groundwork for a more organized campaign for change.
The residents soon recognized the importance of public discourse and pushed for public hearings that would allow them to express their concerns directly to decision-makers. After persistent advocacy, they succeeded in securing these hearings, providing a much-needed platform for community members to voice their opinions. However, even after the hearings, some members of the planning and zoning board continued to disparage the residents’ efforts, attempting to undermine their legitimacy. Yet, despite the slander and attempts to silence them, the community's resolve only grew stronger.
After two public hearings and months of grassroots activism, the tide began to turn. The planning and zoning board, acknowledging the power of the community's voice and learning information outside what the solar companies were proclaiming, voted in favor of a prohibition on commercial solar development—an outcome that had seemed impossible just months prior.
The solar companies hired a company to send multiple text through out the county trying to make this about landowners rights. They hired a lawyer to send threatening letters to our planning and zoning and commissioners. The wording was the must cease-and-desist, at the end they were asking. They couldn’t even spell linn county correctly.
It’s a shame of all the battles that were faced with along the way.
Today we won the war when their recommendation was given to the Linn County commissioners. With little discussion the commissioners voted 2-1 for a prohibition on commercial solar.
Danny and Jim were in full support of a prohibition!
Jason voting against it…
With much gratitude we appreciate each and every planning and zoning member and commissioner that took the time to listen to the citizens and the true facts.
We feel for all the small communities like ours that’s fighting this battle against big corporations. They will continue to push forward trying to move into our communities.
We have had a lot of people reach out, wanting to know how we changed this. There never was one thing. We put our boots on and hit the ground running. There is no smoking gun, we repeated our selves meeting after meeting. We continued to educate our selfs day in and day out.
We continued to reach out to our community.
Just don’t give up and continue to try and provide as much information as you can. Something different will click with each individual.
Linn County can sleep peacefully tonight!
