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Liberty And Justice For All

To The Reader’s Forum:

I have worked for nine years to try and establish a legal and profitable business in Chautauqua County and have met with unrealistic bureaucratic obstacles. Finally, because of government regulations, my recycling business couldn’t continue. Try to imagine my frustration.

We live in a country where individuals are supposed to have certain freedoms. Many of mine have been taken. There were simply too many DEC regulations. They told me I wasn’t composting by acceptable methods, but they couldn’t tell me exactly what I was doing. They (DEC and Chautauqua County) didn’t want me to succeed because I offered a zero tipping fee, which would have taken revenue from the County Landfill. What they didn’t want to consider was that Slab City Organics would save product from ever entering the landfill so they wouldn’t have to spend millions to construct new cells so often. Long term planning is a must when dealing with taxpayers’ money.

My facility could have become a wonderful place to teach residents about composting. It also could have been beneficial to the environment and taxpayers.

The DEC placed so many restrictions on my business, I couldn’t feasibly continue. They had total jurisdiction over my facility. The average American citizen has no recourse when something like this happens. That’s just wrong! There should be a nonpartisan, unbiased committee where the average American citizen can air grievances against existing government bodies within fear of retaliation.

At a local meeting, I became upset and then happened to glance at the American flag. I gained clarity as to my purpose in attending the meeting. I believe in upholding the American ideal of allegiance. As Americans, we pledge our allegiance to the flag. That pledge means a promise, a promise of justice and liberty (state of being free from oppressive restriction imposed by authority) for all. We pledge to the Republic (supreme power is held by the people). That flag doesn’t stand for liberty for only those in power and justice doesn’t represent only those who can afford it. It stands for liberty and justice for all. What a waste for our township, Chautauqua County taxpayers, and me!

Greg Rater

Sherman

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