Heros are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.

Studs Terkel

We live in a democracy and we are very proud of that fact, but very few of us fully understand the huge responsibility democracy brings upon every one of us. Nowadays we are very good at detailing what’s wrong with our country or the world, but we very rarely hear anyone come up with a way to “fix things”, or make it better. It’s almost like we think we are participating in the democratic process by watching the news, getting riled up about what someone said, or didn’t say, or did, or…..And what’s going on at the national and world level is simply so overwhelming that we are numbed. We think that our vote doesn’t count, and in a way I think that our one vote  doesn’t really count all that much.

But, there is a place where our vote really does count, and that’s right here, in our community. And there’s lots of work to be done right here at home.

Most of us are aware of the fact that one looming threat to our community is the loss of farm and forestland. Conservation organizations are quick to brag about how much farmland that is being saved with working lands conservation easements, but they fail to mention that we are losing far more land to development than is being saved. What I’ve noticed lately is that most of the farmland being lost has easy access to either I-26 or US 74. All the land under the I-26/US 74 connection was farmland, as was the land at the Saluda exit, as was the land at the Landrum exit, as was the land at the Pea Ridge exit.

Often conversion of farm or forest land to residential or commercial development requires a change in zoning, or expansion of municipal limits, or new waterlines provided by the municipalities or the county. Those decisions and subsequent actions are determined by our elected officials, men and women elected by us to serve in the public interest.

But, here’s where the problem comes in: our politicians foresee a broadened tax base which will solve all our money woes. The thought of an end to budget problems obliterates any thoughts of negative consequences down the road. The reality is that residential development never pays. For every dollar in taxes collected for a residence, the cost of community services provided for that residence is 20% to 50% higher than taxes paid. Farm and forestland, as well as commercial properties, require far fewer public services and therefore provide substantial monetary gain for the county. Figuring out how to provide much needed housing in our area, and pay for the services necessary, is a trick. Yes, we may need some commercial development to support our growing population, but we also need to preserve what is most precious to us all: our beautiful natural surroundings – our open land and working farms.

We live in a rural county and it is up to us as members of this wonderful community to do our best to preserve as much farm and forestland as we possibly can. It is up to us, as citizens of a democracy, to encourage our politicians to make wise decisions when it comes to land use changes.  We also must think of new ways of doing this. It could be through strict zoning, or agricultural conservation easements promoted by our public officials, or working with local and state farm agencies. There are many options out there, but not all of them would work in our area. We can save our rural community, but it will take all of us, and it’ll take energy and commitment. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Do we have the will?