“My Land, My Choice,” or Not
Political signs are going up all over West Virginia in preparation for the Primary Election on Tuesday, May 13. On the ballot will be a referendum to approve Sunday hunting on private land in seven counties, including Braxton. The proponents of the referendum are using blue signs with white letters stating, “My Land, My Choice,” to justify their cause.
“My Land, My Choice” sounds very American and patriotic but in reality is a false premise. You may have a deed recorded in the courthouse with your name at the top but it is no longer your right to do as you please with your land. Before you strut around like a Spring gobbler, let’s test the argument with some obvious questions.
Can you burn brush on your property anytime you choose? No. The State of West Virginia grants the landowner permission to burn at predetermined times of the year and during certain hours of the day. We are in the fire season and your brush on your land can only be burned between the hours of 5:00 pm and 7:00 am.
Can you make improvements to your property anyway and anytime you choose? No, especially in counties with a planning and zoning commission. Their permission (permit) is required before any improvements or modifications can be made on your property. A building permit, issued by the Tax Assessor, is a minimum requirement in all other counties.
Can you develop the “wetlands” on your property anyway and anytime you choose? No. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has jurisdiction over all real estate they deem as wetlands and a property owner needs their permission to develop those areas.
Can you hunt anyway and anytime you choose? No. The State of West Virginia determines the hunting seasons and requires a hunting license so you can hunt when and where they choose. An exception to the license requirement is a private landowner but they must abide by the same rules and regulations as everyone else. Violations of the law or rules are subject to fines or imprisonment and possible confiscation of your firearms.
What happens if you fail to pay real property taxes? The State of West Virginia will confiscate your land and sell it on the courthouse steps to the highest bidder. In Bible times, your property would be returned to you within seven years. That is not the case under our current condition. Your property, that you or your ancestors paid for with hard-earned money, is confiscated by the state and sold to recover the past due taxes.
“My Land, My Choice” used to be the rule of the day. Our founding fathers believed there were three basic rights that come from our Creator. They are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The right of private ownership (pursuit of happiness) comes from our Creator, not the government. They also held the belief that our God-given freewill comes with accepting responsibility for our choices. This May we will once again be faced with the choice of honoring the One who has given us our rights and this great land or sink further into the pit of self-serving pursuits.
Over the years we have acquiesced our rights in exchange for the government’s failed promises of security and safety. It may be “your land” but you no longer have the right to do as you please without permission from the government. On the other hand, our Creator has given us the right to do for ourselves six days out of the week and reserved one day for Himself. Is it reasonable to honor Him in the manner He has prescribed? I believe it is the right and proper thing to do.
All citizens of their respective county have the privilege and freedom to vote in favor of this referendum but be honest about your intentions. Please do so on the premise that you want to please yourself rather than God or use the excuse, “everyone else is doing it,” and not some phantom patriotic notion that you can do with your land as you please.