Letter to the editor: Feels Castle Dale Ordinance is good

By Lou Sansevero Ferron

Editor,
I’ve been following the discussions, debates, and commentaries on Castle Dale’s beautification ordinance and although I’m not a Castle Dale citizen I thought I’d throw my two cents in because the issues being discussed are common to all our cities; property rights of the individual versus the overall well being of the entire community. First of all I’d like to let you know exactly where I stand. I applaud Neal and his city council for doing what is right for the community and not ducking the issue so as not to offend anyone. I only wish I lived in Castle Dale so I could more directly support and vote for him and the council members should they chose to run for office again.
That being said I’d like to point out to the opponents of these ordinances that (1) the “rights” of one individual end precisely where the “rights” of another begin and (2) that the “rights” of the individual are superseded by the cumulative “rights” of the community or society; in this case the “right” of individuals to keep their property in an unkempt state is superseded by the right of other individuals to receive the full benefit, use, and enjoyment of their property and their right to be free from the negative health issues that manifest in unkempt properties. Secondly, I’d like to point out that for almost 200 years Supreme Courts (both state and federal) have confirmed the “right” of municipalities to enact and enforce Land Use Ordinances, that Land Use Ordinances (in the modern sense) are uniquely American, and that they predate the United Nations by decades.
To those “conspiracy theorists” that see Land Use Ordinances as an attempt by devious “one worlders” to undermine our national sovereignty I would suggest that they clean up their yards and turn their attentions, energies, and actions to the events playing out on our national stage where the real threats lie. I would also suggest a plan of action for these “conspiracy theorists” who feel their “rights” are being infringed upon; find like minded individuals who are willing to run for mayor and city council and run them for office on the platform of individual “rights” and if they manage to get elected, change the ordinances. If, in the preceding sentence, you detected a bit of sarcasm it was intentional for I believe the majority of the people of Castle Dale have “pride of community” and want to live in a clean, healthy, and prosperous city. Then again I may be wrong after all I live in Ferron where nobody’s feelings get hurt and no mayor or city council has had the courage (at least not in the 10 years I’ve lived here) to enforce their ordinances to clean things up, as Neal and his city council are attempting.