Jim Roper, Grove Owner with Frank Scott, Owner Long & Scott Farms
Great Grandchild and with Grandchild Ryan Scott
8th Generation Jaiden Mitchell
Roper Matilla
We Expose The Plot and Answer the Question Why They Did It!
Last Friday, farmers and landowners from South Lake County, Sorrento, and Lady Lake filed seven different lawsuits against the Lake County government on the grounds that the 2030 Horizon Comprehensive Plan violates their constitutional property rights and due process rights in the land use change designation of their properties. Here are some of the grounds on which the landowners have filed these suits:
- No advanced notice of any kind was given for Commissioner Elaine Renick’s Strategic Land Plan or the proposed land use map designation.
- During its preparation, the Renick land plan was not submitted to or reviewed by the Local Planning Agency.
- Only people on Renick’s personal email list were notified the night before of the proposed new land plan change. The general public was not notified and the changes were pushed through while Chairman Welton Cadwell was hospitalized.
- South Lake properties previously left out of the Rural Protection Area and Land Plan were included in the new designation without giving the property owners notice of the hearing. This was after staff assured them that all matters on their land had been settled.
- Commissioner Jennifer Hill pointed out the problems with making land changes without proper public hearings, but her pleas for a delay were ignored by Renick. This was a deliberate attempt to circumvent due process for affected landowners.
- Following the adoption hearing, further changes were made without public notification and the land owners affected were not told of the changes.
- At the adoption hearing, 11 other changes were made to the Future Land Use Map that had not been considered by the Commission at the transmittal hearing. These unapproved changes are now part of the plan.
- The county, through the two plans, is requiring landowners to set aside 60% of useable land for conservation without compensation from the government.
- Plus, there are nearly 100 more legal points in which the county violated the property rights of these farmers and landowners.
According to lawyers, who are experts in the field of constitutional property law rights, the lawsuits filed by these landowners are on very strong legal footing, and it will be very difficult for Lake County to prevail. More important than the legal arguments are the moral and fairness issues – government should not be allowed to seize virtual control of private property by arbitrarily devaluing it through regulations.
Jim Roper- “Leave Me Alone”
One of the grove owners at the heart of this lawsuit is Jim Roper, whose family has owned 700 acres in Lake County just off the Orange County line for nearly 80 years. Roper, who just welcomed the eighth generation of Central Florida family this month, is mad. “Elaine Renick and Linda Stewart are trying to steal our land, and there is a lot more to this than what people see. I can’t believe this happening. This is America!” Roper said.
Jim Roper believes his property is a part of a bigger plot saying, “Renick and Stewart are card carrying members of these far out liberal environmental groups, and these two women are not smart enough to be doing this on their own. They are being coached through this entire process, and they are trying to steal our lands for these leftwing environmental groups.”
Before the final hearing, Roper sought a meeting with Renick to plead for his family grove and land. Renick refused to meet him. Roper had a 552 acre parcel in South Lake County that under the Comprehensive Plan is now limited to 160 acres. Of the land that is still usable, he is limited to minimal lot and green space issues. Roper says, “The farmers and landowners in South Lake County aren’t going to rollover and play dead, we are going to fight for our grandchildren. We are fighting for our property.”
“I have battled droughts, freezes, citrus canker, greening, and now Lake County wants to come in and steal my land.” Roper said.
When asked if he believes special interests are behind the lawsuit he said, “Damn it, it’s my interest, I just want my property rights. Leave me alone!”
Long & Scott Farms- Local Farmers Targeted by Renick
One of the last family farms in Lake County is the Long & Scott Farms in South Lake County. Frank Scott and his family have worked this farm for nearly 50 years. The farm has a reputation of being one of the fun family attractions in the state of Florida. You can visit their website at www.longandscottfarms.com to see how they make the farm experience come alive with corn mazes, old fashioned stores, and hay rides. The farm is a huge attraction for those who seek a first hand glimpse of a simpler life. This farm should be what Renick, and the environmental movement, encourage in Lake County, yet they seek to destroy it.
For farmers like Frank Scott, his ability to borrow money from the bank for ongoing operations depends upon the value of his land. In essence, his land is his bank. Everything the Scott Family has worked for all of their lives is being put under assault by Elaine Renick, Linda Stewart, and Jimmy Conner, who all voted for the adoption of this illegal Comprehensive Land Plan.
When asked about the effect Renick’s South Lake Strategic Plan and Rural Protection Area will have on his farm, Scott said, “It is very upsetting to know that I have worked my land for 47 years in an effort to supply food for my country, my community, as well as support for my family, only to have my county government tell me that I can’t reap the reward.’
“I practiced good stewardship, used my property for the most productive land use, provided jobs for other families and now I cannot use my land, because a few people think that all property should be protected their way and that they have the right to decide what my land can be used for. They are taking away my property rights, and my ability to achieve the American Dream.”
In Lake County today we have a Commission led by Renick, Stewart, and Conner, who are doing the unthinkable: They are trying to put the family farmer out of business. As Americans, this assault on Mr. Scott’s way of life by trampling the constitution cannot stand. These are good people who were targeted by Renick because she wants one thing – control of their land.
Elaine Renick’s Government Land Seizure Plot
There is an orchestrated plot by Renick and Lake County government to seize some of these prime lands by quasi-condemnation. Lawyers call this “inverse condemnation” meaning rendering lands worthless through regulations.
In 2004, Lake County citizens voted for a 1/3rd millage property tax for the county to bond up to $36 million for the purchase of environmental land. The land in South Lake is very expensive, and Lake County does not have enough money to purchase any of them unless they are artificially devalued by government action.
The Lake County Public Land Acquisition Advisory Council is in charge of purchasing conservation land for Lake County from this special tax, and Renick, who created the South Lake Strategic Plan, is in charge of this committee. Unknowingly to taxpayers, this fund has become a slush fund for the environmental movement and friends of politicians to buy properties at inflated values. Most of this land is fenced off, the public cannot use it, and the county doesn’t have the money to maintain it.
In essence, Elaine Renick is doing the bidding of the leftwing environmental groups to buy land. Jim Roper said there is no doubt in his mind that Elaine Renick has a conflict of interest. Renick, who is from South Lake County, wants Lake County to purchase most of this land for her environmental causes, and her method to devalue the property is the Horizon 2030 Comprehensive Plan. This explains Renick and Stewart’s zeal to stack the Local Planning Agency and their motive for imposing new restrictions on property which is owned by farmers. The motive, means, and money are crystal clear: This is a government seizure of private property.
Stand Up for The Constitution
Renick, Stewart and Conner are representing special interests, and they hope to shutdown the remaining family farms in Lake County. These people are not political, and only seek to be left alone. Citizens for Better Government, L.L.C. calls for an investigation by the DCA and the State of Florida to see if the property rights of these farmers are being stomped on, allowing Lake County to seize land as part of the public land acquisition program. This is very troubling for anyone who cherishes the rights bestowed each citizen by the United States Constitution.
Please stand with the farmers of South Lake County and don’t let Lake County devalue their land in order to seize it.
The dots have been connected, the plot exposed, and the big question “Why?” answered: Elaine Renick, Linda Stewart and Jimmy Conner plan to steal the farmers’ private property for the environmental movement. Please email this to everyone on your list and share it on your social media pages. We must all get the word out about this public theft, so take action today and let everyone know!
Related posts:
- Stewart Compares Schue’s Comprehensive Land Plan to the Constitution?
- Commissioners Renick and Stewart Flunk Grass 101
- John Christian and Elaine Renick Have Heated Email Exchange over Affordable Housing
- Renick and Stewart Supporter Encourages Democrat Voters to Switch Parties
- Renick Attending Secret DCA Meeting in Tallahassee
This is what’s wrong with this no growth movement in Lake County. They have no right to dictate to this farmer what he can or can’t do with his land. It seems they want to control other people’s private property without paying for. For those who have slammed our group for giving these farmers a voice- don’t forget they are the ones who believes Lake County is trying to steal their lands, they have a right to speak and be heard.
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
Linda Stewart NEVER said she was for “no growth.”
What she said was that we needed to “slow it down a little bit” and ensure sustainability, and that we need a diversified economy rather than one that only builds houses out in the countryside where it costs far too much for the tax payers to provide services.
Come to this site for assumptions, lies and made up ridiculousness!
I have listened to the opinions of many that feel property rights have not been affected by the density reductions in south lake. The truth is, for those of us that have had land in this state for MANY generations, remember these same arguments that occurred within the Green Swamp, when the County, and more specifically DCA suggested such extreme density restrictions that land owners hit by a tough economy or that were frozen out of business in the 80′s, could not possibly create a subdivision of land that would generate enough income to justify the cost of development. Oh yeah, does anyone remember when there was well and septic, the cost of bringing services to the site was not an option. The fact is that there were enough pending law suits that the counties (Polk and Lake), DCA, DEP, and the WMD’s were forced to initiate a development rights purchase program (Green Swamp Land Authority) to offset the effects of extreme density restrictions…
If Linda Stewart said she endorses no growth publicly, it is a matter of public record. Just show us where it is. If you can’t, then this is just another lie. And believe me, no one will ever believe you if you claim that YOU heard it.
Stewart/Renick who apparently control every vote the commission makes (so why are we paying the other three salaries?) have not changed one thing the farmers can do with their land since the first day they bought their “agricultural land” years ago. Agricultural land is called agricultural land for a reason. If we live by your statement – Lake County has no right to dictate to this farmer what he can and can not do with his land – that means Lake County should have no right to dictate to the property owner beside your house that he can’t build a cement plant there. Be careful what you ask for.
don, just go ahead and endorse leslie and and stop you negative venting.
DON, you need hearing aides…that is all.
When Linda Stewart says publicly she doesn’t want growth how is that not no growth? We are taking her at her own words.
Why does this site insist on using the word “no growth?” it isn’t no growth, it is grow as much as you want as long as it is consistent with the comp plan. There is plenty of room for growth in our new comp plan. I guess “no growth” plays more on peoples’ emotions than the truth does.
It is interesting that the enviroterorrists refuse to accept that there are still private property rights in this country. when they dictate land uses they dictate land values, it is as simple as that
This is what’s wrong with this no growth movement in Lake County. They have no right to dictate to this farmer what he can or can’t do with his land. It seems they want to control other people’s private property without paying for. For those who have slammed our group for giving these farmers a voice- don’t forget they are the ones who believes Lake County is trying to steal their lands, they have a right to speak and be heard.
Mr. Billy Long, Long & Scott Farms, stated that he has been farming in Lake County for 60 years, and noted that when he came to Lake County it was the second largest agricultural county in Florida and twentieth in the nation. He commented that he would like to continue farming and explained that they are struggling in this economy. “HE STATED THAT THE LAND THEY OWN IS DESIGNATED AGRICULTURAL BUT ASKED THE BOARD TO ALLOW THE FARMERS IN THE COUNTY THE OPTION TO SELL THE LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT IF THEY CANNOT FARM THE LAND.”
This is the position our farmers are taking when blaming Stewart/Renick for harming farmers and keeping them from “reaping their reward.” It isn’t the “simpler farming life” Stewart/Renick have affected. The comp plan has had absolutely no effect on that. In fact, it preserves it. These farmers want to become high-density developers when finished farming. To heck with the quality of life of their neighbors who have chosen to live in a quiet, rural setting where most farming takes place. These neighbors do not want them to become high-density developers and ruin their quality of life. To heck with the taxpayers who would have to foot the bill for providing services way out to the boonies where the farm exists. The farmers do not have, and never have had, that right to develop high density in a low density rural area in order to get more money for their land when they sell it. They do not have the right to put a housing development far from services that will place a huge financial burden on the tax payers just to provide those services way out to the boonies. Their only “rights” are the rights they had when they bought the land – low density, agricultural. Stewart/Renick have not deprived them of that. They are perfectly free to develop their lands in accordance with those rights. THEY ALREADY HAVE THE OPTION TO SELL THEIR LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT IF THEY CANNOT FARM THE LAND. They have had that option since the first day they or their families acquired the land. They simply must develop within the parameters that were on the land when they purchased it.
Actually, it is a “Petition for an Administrative Hearing” to determine if the plan is consistent with State Statute that is why DCA is named because they (and all the other state agencies) have determined it is.
On the 60%, you are completely wrong. The policy attributed to Rencik does not require 60% of lot to be “given away.” The policy actually sets that as a goal to be brought back through the Comprehensive Plan hearing process. The policy itself does nothing, and only requires the County to begin works twoards allowing economic development in what is otherwise a rural area.
Property rights must be protected, and farmers like Long and Scott are pillars in our society but this article is a flat lie.
Give me a break DON…GIVE UP! You are a lying coniving LIAR! The people do not appreciate it! You are ON THE WRONG SIDE OF LAKE!
So here we have it. This site is caught bending the truth to fit their needs. What did you once call it? “Political Spin,” I believe. The fact is you are dishonest and no matter what kind of backtracking and justifying you do will change that. People, if they will lie about something like this, what makes you think they can ever be trusted? Please go to the link with the “lawsuits” and see how truthful the right side of the lake really is.
When lawyers are involved and the comprehensive plan is delayed until an administrative hearing, I, and just about everyone else, would call that a lawsuit. If there is no change to the land, why did the county implement rules? The change you failed to talk about is they devalued these people’s private property. Obviously we’ve hit a nerve with those who were part of the plot.
ADMIN has to be mentally unstable. There is WAY more information that is TRUE about this story than you are telling your readers. Shame on you for witholding the TRUTH to please your agenda. What you are doing here is exactly what your are claiming others are doing. What is the difference? There is none. You are lying to the citizens of this county and on Aug. 24th we will SHUT YOU UP!
You had better hope your supporters don’t read your link to the “lawsuits” and see your lies for themselves. They are just petitions to get changes made to the comprehensive plan.
Wow…so much emotion, so few facts. I’m surprised there isn’t a Hitler reference in this article.
We call for an investigation, we call for an investigation! All you can do is make accusations that go nowhere. It is funny that what you call a lawsuit DCA calls challenges. This from the very people you are asking to do an investigation. Pathetic.
This is just insane. Please continue to farm your land. There is no change that says you can’t farm. Your zoning was not changed. People are getting sick and tired of the development community trying to take back control of this county. This site knows very well that the 11 changes they said are part of the new plan were rejected and are not part of the plan. Please, make your points with truth and stop with the lying. My gosh, trying to steal farmers land? Do you also believe the earth is flat? I sincerely hope the average person in this county is smart enough to see through your lies!