Property Rights Are A Basic Principle of Liberty

You heard about this incident on Leland Conway and Glenn Beck. Virginia is the Birthplace of Freedom. We set the standards for others to emulate and meet. The incident which generated this legislation was the best example of power-mad officious little pricks getting their jollies threatening landowners, farmers and small rural businesses.

JOIN VIRGINIANS FLOCKING TO SUPPORT THE BONETA BILL The Boneta Bill, HB 1430, DEFENDS SMALL FARMERS;   REDUCES GOVERNMENT INTRUSION ON CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES Martha Boneta’s small farm shop is shut down and the fruits of her labor -- herbal teas from her garden, handcrafted soaps from her goats’ milk, and wool crafts from her alpacas, llamas, and sheep -- are going unsold. Why? Martha is facing a $5,000 fine for hosting a birthday party on her private property for eight 10-year-old girls without a “special” permit from Fauquier County. Martha also was threatened with two additional $5,000 fines for other supposed infractions:  One for advertising a pumpkin carving and another for operating the small shop on her property where Martha sold her fresh produce and handmade crafts.  A Fauquier County bureaucrat told Martha that she was “out of line.”  But Virginians know that it’s Fauquier County that’s out of line. That’s why citizens from around the Commonwealth are coming out in droves to support Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter and his House Bill 1430, the Boneta Bill, for the relief of Martha and small farmers like her. Delegate Lingamfelter (R-31 Prince William and Fauquier) introduced the legislation to strengthen Virginia’s Right to Farm Act (VRFA) and protects farmers like Martha against future encroachments by local government. In 2012, seventy-five percent of Virginians voted to protect property rights in a state ballot initiative, and the Boneta Bill reflects that sentiment that government is going too far.  The Boneta Bill has galvanized property rights advocates, supporters of the free market, and all who cherish our Constitutional freedoms.   Delegate Lingamfelter has met with the Farm Bureau and invited them to the table to help improve the bill.  Delegate Lingamfelter doesn’t care who gets the credit for the legislation. He cares about getting relief for Martha and other farmers and citizens whose lives are being invaded by all levels of government.

Make Your Voice Heard
The House of Delegate Agriculture Subcommittee will hold a hearing in the General Assembly Building, 1000 Bank Street, Richmond, VA.  The hearing will be held in the 5th Floor East Conference Room at 5:00 PM on Monday, January 28th. It will be essential to continue to get citizens from every part of the Commonwealth out to demonstrate widespread support for the HB 1430, The Boneta Bill. Please join us on Monday, January 28th at 5:00 PM and stand beside Martha Boneta and Delegate Scott Lingamfelter as they fight to get this bill out of the committee and on the House Floor for a vote.

Written Comments
In addition to joining us on Monday, January 28th at 5:00 PM, we will be collecting written emails which you can email me directly at slingamfelter@scottforva.com.  Send them to me and I will ensure the committee receives your emails.  Please take a few moments to write down your thoughts and let the committee know that you don’t want any level of government overstepping and limiting of our rights as individuals, small businesses, and property owners.