Crooked Road paved in heritage, not politics
By Joe Wilson
The Crooked Road has nothing to do with politics. It never has, and never will. It is a private group of Virginians who want to create jobs and improve the quality of life in Southwest Virginia.
The Constitution says citizens of the nation can organize themselves in free associations and work on matters that concern them. That’s what we are: a free association of volunteers. We pay no attention to politics. Some of us are Republicans, Democrats and independents, and we like each other and share a concern for our region. We never mention politics.
Continue reading.
Joe Wilson lives in Fries. He is chairman of the National Council for the Traditional Arts and is a co-founder of The Crooked Road.
October 7, 2012 - 8:01 AM
If Joe Wilson does not think this federal money does not have controlling strings attached then he needs to read the fine print. The federal government is about getting controlling influence… money is the invitation.
The fact that the Crooked Road organization registered with the IRS for 501-3-c desigination has placed them smack in the middle of the federal government microscope…. they are no longer a ‘private’ organization-association… they surrendered that sovereign desigination they applied to become exempt.
The article “Federal Government Grants-No Free Lunch” by Robert Longley states: “… the U.S. government is not giving away “free grant” money. A grant is not a Christmas present. According to American Government & Politics, by Jay M. Shafritz, a grant is, “A form of gift that entails certain obligations on the part of the grantee and expectations on the part of the grantor.”
“The key word there is obligations. Getting a government grant will get you loads of them and not fulfilling them will grant you a load of legal troubles.”
“Organizations that get government grants are subject to strict government oversight and must meet detailed government performance standards during the duration of the project and funding period of the grant.”
How much government ‘oversight’ do these American want in the Crooked Road communities?
Charlie Sewell, Bristol, Virginia
CAREENING OUT OF CONTROL ALONG THE CROOKED ROAD?????
If you take taxpayer money & go to politicians, ie. warner & Griffith, to further your empire….oops “Free Association” mayyyybeeeeee you’re alittle political??????
And am I to believe your director M. Hinselwood is working for FREE out of the goodness of his heart? And if you get your wish & secure 19 counties in your National Heritage Area he won’t get a bigger salary & need more secretaries, desks, phones etc.????
It is a fact that anytime the feds get involved with anything it gets out of control. And you, the Crooked Road, would be in partnership with the National Pk Service…..and they with the EPA rules, Dept. of Interior, Endangered Species Act & more & more.
Mr. Wilson, I truly don’t believe your public hearing that brought out under 50 people total is a representation of the over 600,000-plus people that live in these 19 counties. I object because all landowners were(are) not notified & the excuse of cost is unfoundered since I just got 2 tax bills in the mail from my county -there could have been an avenue. I object because our local Board of Supervisors was not asked or advised. I object because the Virginia Declaration clearly states that there must be consent of the people. I object because we were not offered a referendum(vote). I object because we have our local tourist groups, music groups, you, historic groups, chambers of commerce, state agencies,that already all promote all the area….why do we need more, bigger &/or better? I object because if the NH Areas were to have no impact they would have not boundries. Boundaries have consequences! I object because our Attorney General stated there is no opt out & we would be under federal jurisdictions.
Let’s face it , Mr. Wilson, the NPS is spread thin by their own acknowledgement. The govt. is out of bucks! Do we need another non-governmental agency with “official management authority” giving us more rules & regulations. You are overstepping your bounds & Senator Colburn’s reasearch confirms this as a HUGE land use plan. NO, Mr. Wilson, I don’t need someone else telling me how & what to do with or on my private property-bought & paid for by me.
The answer is NO to any National Heritage Area and the power grab the Crooked Road Club would get.
Not very good at putting my thoughts to the pen and paper but I sure can support those who can.So here is a BIG AMEN to Charles Sewell and Linda Myers.
Joe Wilson is correct about the crooked rd . however what he has omitted is the Federal takeover & control of the private land when the crooked Rd gets designated as a National heritage area. Hey Joe , why don’t you do a little homework and tell the rest of the story ? Once known the private owners will not be so supportive of the national Heritage designation . Crooked Rd is great with out the National heritage involvement .
How long do you people think this heritage can last and be preserved without federal designation? Development has ruined enough historically significant and important pieces of heritage in this nation already. Fear people motivated by dollars if you need a bogeyman to fear.
Nothing to do with politics? Why is it that Joe Wilson, a founder of The Crooked Road and Jack Hinshelwood, Executive Director of the taxpayer-funded tourism organization never mention the fact that the National Heritage Act designation that they are proposing will mean that all of the land inside the nineteen counties in Congressional District 9 will come under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service in this plan? A land mass comprising 21% of the Commonwealth, and ten public meetings is the sum total of public outreach, with the most well-attended amounting to 30 people. What are they trying to hide?
I attended three of those meetings, and in none of them was there any mention of the fact that all the land inside the boundaries are covered by the designation—it’s not just the music venues. Funding and technical assistance for Heritage Areas is administered through the NPS, a federal agency with a long history of hostility toward private landowners. There are 49 such areas in the US, so we have a track record to look to. In this instance, The Crooked Road will become the “managing entity” that will work with the NPS to set up an unelected board that will then oversee policy inside the Heritage Area. Who will be on their council? Some elected local representatives, to be sure. But in greater numbers will be those special interest groups all working their own agendas, creating policy and collecting the Park Service funds that will help pave the way. Proponents may argue that property rights won’t be touched, but by definition this is the target. “Found right in the language of Heritage Area legislation (including HR 4099, now before Congress) the management entity is specifically directed to restore, preserve, and manage anything and everything that is naturally, culturally, historically and recreationally significant to the Heritage Area,” says property rights expert, Tom DeWeese, President of the American Policy Center. “This sweeping mandate ensures that virtually every square inch of land within the boundaries is subject to the scrutiny of Park Service bureaucrats and their managing partners. That is the way it works. It’s done behind the scenes, out of the way of public input.”
You may say you love the Constitution, Mr. Wilson. But remind me, please….where Sir, is the consent of the governed? Perhaps this is better asked of Congressman Griffith, who took on oath to uphold Article 1 Section 6 of the Virginia Bill of Rights. How is consent given, without knowledge? Please then go on to explain why this information is being withheld.
This is not about music or cultural heritage. This is about more federal control under the guise of tourism and job development. And there’s already plenty of that to go around, with Sustainable Communities grants in Roanoke County and the New River Valley installing HUD, the EPA and DOT as the governing bodies, and in much the same manner: behind the scenes.
Do you people not have a link or source between you that you could offer for those so woefully ignorant as to dare not believe you?
To Ms. Saunders,
Why not just designate ALL of America as a NHA? Let’s face it, every corner is significant to someone & they all made history!
I guess you don’t own any property, bought & paid for by the sweat off your back. We have over 600,000 acres under federal & state domain, more than any other country on the planet & you still would like to CONTROL my paltry 3. Sorry bub….the feds have enough on their plate to mess with & a local “Free Association” doesn’t need hundreds of pages to control us!
from a letter in my possession when accepting funds connected with NPS:
October 11, 2011 MEMORANDUM
TO: Stakeholders and Land Managers of Land and Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF) Assisted Parks and Recreation Areas in Alabama
FROM: Jim Byard, Jr.
ADECA Director and LWCF State Liaison Officer
401 ADAMS AVENUE • SUITE 580 • P.O. Box 5690 •
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36103-5690 • (344) 242-5100
RE: Enclosed Structures (including storm shelters) within LWCF Boundaries
The LWCF program was created to establish a permanent national trust of recreational land for current and future generations to use and enjoy. Section 6(f)(3) of the LWCF Act of 1965, the cornerstone of the program, prohibits the conversion of property that has been acquired and/or developed with LWCF assistance to any use other than public outdoor recreation. A condition of LWCF assistance requires that grant recipients develop, operate, and maintain their LWCF assisted facilities in accord with Federal and State regulations in perpetuity.
It has come to our attention that park and recreational land managers occasionally plan to construct an enclosed structure within the confines of a LWCF assisted property. We are taking this opportunity to advise you that the construction of certain enclosed structures, such as storm shelters and community/recreation centers, within a LWCF assisted property must be approved in advance by ADECA and possibly the National Park Service (NPS).
In order for ADECA to consider such a request and recommend approval by the NPS, the following information and documentation is required:
•A park boundary map depicting the exact location of the proposed structure as well as
existing park features. GPS coordinates of the proposed location structure should also be
included.
•A detailed description of the proposed structure, including area (footprint) of the structure as well as any associated facilities such as parking areas, driveways, roads, etc.
•A detailed description of how the structure will be used, how it will support and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities at the park or recreation area, and how it will be made available to park visitors.
I applaud your efforts in continuing to provide facilities and services that improve the safety and quality of life for Alabama’s citizens and guests. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Rob Grant, Recreation and Conservation Unit Manager, at 334-242-5483 or
rob.qrant@adeca.alabama.
if my memory serves…. the Crooked Trail will be receiving $1 million dollars a year…. charlie sewell, bristol, virginia