Harassment Resumes as of 2/11/2010 - I received a citation today!
News Flash 7/18/2008: Welcome to the home of the "Stinky Neighbors"
and
follow the story of how a small farmer can be harassed by ignorant
neighbors. The farm was here long before Mr. Waters moved here and we
have been told that he moved due to a job transfer, despite his
allegations in the story he gave the TV station.
We
encourage you to Contact Us via the link on the right hand side of the
page to arrange an appointment to come visit us and see how our
animals are cared for and smell the clean air, despite the comments in
the story below. http://www.wlos.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/wlos_vid_1037.shtml
The
latest information that I have is that Mr. Waters has listed his house
for sale for about 20% more than he paid for it less then 2 years ago.
I have not observed that he has made any major improvements since he
purchased it.
I would welcome any comment via email to ziggy@sunrisefarmnc.com
as to why you might think he is having difficulty selling his
house.Economists and real estate appraisers are welcome to send me
there analysis of price changes in the Polk County or Western North
Carolina market this year.
Feel free to contact me to visit if you would like to observe the situation first.
Before
this story aired I had not been contacted by county authorities and do
not believe that I am in violation of any ordinances since I am running
a farm and not penning up pets, however I have now contacted county
officials as of 7/18 and am waiting on their decision.
If
they rule against me, I ask that if you support local farming as Polk
County states they do please feel free to send donations to my legal
fund so that I can help to protect the "right to farm' In North
Carolina and Polk County.
If you don't want to donate,
feel free to just come and visit anyway and maybe you can take home a
naturally raised goat, cow, turkey or pig.
I will be posting more updates as this story develops.
7/25/2008
update - after repeated calls to the county manager and a call to one
of the commissioners I finally got a call back from the county manager
yesterday. He said "he might" be able to get out here next week to take
a look. We'll see what the outcome is.
8/4/2008 - Still no word from the county. Thanks for all the offers of support but it looks like I am going to be fine.
I wonder if they would like this :-)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080804/ap_on_fe_st/odd_car_fence
9/20/2008
AS of the beginning of this month the house next door is rented
temporarily to some people who are waiting to lose on a new home in
the area. They are good neighbors and I wish they had bought the house
instead of another - but they told me the asking price was way too
high. They have a couple of young boys and tell me they and the kids
love the animals. It appears that clearly the reason that Mr. Waters cannot sell is house is a far too high asking price!
In 2009 It appears Mr. Water's wife moved back into the property and I am told they have separated or divorced.
2/10/2010 Harassment resumes - today I was issued a Polk County Animal Control Civil Citation for "Keeping a Cage to close to property line". The fine is $50 but I will be appealing this since none of my animals are kept in "cages". You are welcome to visit and see for your self. Just email me to setup an appointment.