sustainable development workbook #2stop agenda 21 action kit - workbook #2 page 6 introduction to...

Sustainable Development Workbook #2The Planners and Action to Take

Stop Agenda 21

Action Kit

Produced byAmerican Policy Centeramericanpolicy.org

Stop Agenda 21 Action Kit - Workbook #2


Sustainable DevelopmentWorkbook #2

The Planners and Action to Take

Graphics by

Commissioner Richard Rothschild

[email protected]

Produced by

American Policy Center

P.O. Box 129

Remington, VA 22734

www.americanpolicy.org

merican Policy CenterA


Introduction to Workbook #2 The battle to stop Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development is raging across the nation. Local residents and

national organizations have taken up the battle cry to expose and defeat the most insidious assault on American

freedoms ever devised. It is done in secret, behind closed doors, using a language specifcally designed to hide the

true intent.

� %XW�$PHULFDQV�DUH�VWDUWLQJ�WR�ȴJXUH�LW�RXW�DQG�WDNH�DFWLRQ��$V�D�UHVXOW��LQ�WKH�SDVW�WZR�\HDUV�WKRVH�RSSRVLQJ�what looked like a done deal are having incredible success in exposing, and in cases, stopping the policy. These are

baby steps, to say the least, but steps forward none the less, especially considering the rich, powerful forces who

are working to force Sustainable Development in every level of government and in every community in the nation.

ΖQ��WR�KHOS�DFWLYLVWV�DQG�ORFDO�FLWL]HQV�ȴJKW�EDFN��WKH�$PHULFDQ�3ROLF\�&HQWHU�FUHDWHG�WKH�6WRS�$JHQGD��$FWLRQ�Kit. It contains everything we could possibly think of to educate and

WR�VXSSO\�GHVSHUDWHO\�QHHGHG�WRROV�WR�KHOS�HOHYDWH�WKH�ȴJKW��+XQGUHGV�KDYH�SXUFKDVHG�WKH�NLWV�DQG�KDYH�VKDUHG�WKH�information with thousands more.

But the battle is progressing and changing rapidly as proponents of Agenda 21, like ICLEI and the American

Planning Association (APA), organize boot camps to train their planners and allies in the local governments on how

WR�FRXQWHU�RXU�HRUWV�DJDLQVW�WKHP��WKH\�FKDQJHG�WKHLU�SODQQLQJ�ODQJXDJH�DIWHU�ZH�WROG�FLWL]HQV�ZKLFK�ZRUGV�DQG�labels to watch for; they changed the names of programs as we expose them; and they changed tactics. Above all,

they’ve worked over time to attack us as fringe radicals and conspiracy theorists, simply because we’ve quoted the

very programs they have written. So, it is necessary to keep up with this changing battle. And it is vital to change our

own tactics and perhaps counter theirs.

� ΖQ�DQ�HRUW�WR�NHHS�WKH�$FWLRQ�.LW�XS�WR�GDWH�DQG�YLWDO�IRU�WKH�ȴJKW��WKLV�QHZ�6WRS�$JHQGD��:RUN�%RRN��FRQWDLQV�QHZ�LQIRUPDWLRQ��QHZ�WDFWLFV�EDFN��DQG�QHZ�WRROV�IRU�ȴJKWLQJ�EDFN��7KH�SDWK�LV�REYLRXV��The danger is clear.

What is AGENDA 21

� $JHQGD��LV�127�D�WUHDW\��ΖW�LV�127�ODZ�RI�WKH�ODQG��$JHQGD��LV�D�ȊVRIW�ODZȋ�SROLF\�GHVLJQHG�WR�GHȴQH��RXW-line, propose, guide and direct policy on international, national, state and local levels.

If completely implemented, Agenda 21 policy is designed to drastically change the very foundation of Ameri-

can culture, economy, and form of government.

It establishes regions based on environmental lines rather that state or community boundaries.

� 7R�RYHUVHH�WKHVH�QHZO\�FUHDWHG�HQWLWLHV��$JHQGD��SURSRQHQWV�ZRUN�ZLWK�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�WR�FUHDWH�QHZ�governing entities in the form of non-elected regional councils.

� (YHQWXDOO\�WKHVH�UHJLRQDO�FRXQFLOV�JDLQ�VWUHQJWK�DQG�LQȵXHQFH��RYHUSRZHULQJ��DQG�HVVHQWLDOO\�UHOHJDWLQJ�elected government to a back seat position.

� 7KLV��LQ�HHFW��GUDVWLFDOO\�FKDQJHV�RXU�$PHULFDQ�V\VWHP�RI�UHSUHVHQWDWLYH�JRYHUQPHQW��RQFH�JXLGHG�E\�&RQ-

stitutional law, and in fact, creates “top-down” government power directed by a few.

Agenda 21 was created to rearrange the world by eliminating sovereign nations, controlling consumption,

natural resource use, and virtually eliminating a free market system.

� $ERYH�DOO��$JHQGD��ZDV�FUHDWHG�ZLWK�WKH�VSHFLȴF�SXUSRVH�RI�UHGLVWULEXWLRQ�RI�WKH�ZRUOGȇV�ZHDOWK��WR�EH�managed by international overseers, under the excuse of environmental protection and poverty eradication.

While Agenda 21 is not a law, it was created by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating under the

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� 2QFH�DFFHSWHG�E\�UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV�RI�QHDUO\�HYHU\�QDWLRQ�RQ�HDUWK��LQFOXGLQJ�WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWHV��WKH�VDPH�1*2ȇV�ZKR�ZURWH�WKH�VRIW�ODZ�SROLF\��VSUHDG�RXW�RYHU�WKH�JOREH��LQWR�WKH�8�6��&RQJUHVV��8�6��JRYHUQPHQW�DJHQFLHV��VWDWH�OHJLVODWXUHV��DQG�ORFDO�FRPPXQLW\�JRYHUQPHQWV��WR�SURPRWH��LPSOHPHQW�DQG�IROORZ�WKH�JXLGHOLQHV�VSHFLȴFDOO\�laid out in Agenda 21.

� $V�D�UHVXOW��WKLV�ȊQRQ�ELQGLQJȋ�VXJJHVWLRQ�KDV�EHFRPH�RɝFLDO�SROLF\�RI�WKH�IHGHUDO�JRYHUQPHQW��QHDUO\�HYHU\�state and most communities. It is being enforced through the use of Presidential Executive Orders, Congressional

and State legislation and particularly through the use of grant programs, administered through various federal and

state agencies.

These grants demand that certain policies (Agenda 21) be imposed as a means of complying with the grant.

� 7KURXJK�WKLV�VSHFLȴF�LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ�SURFHVV��$JHQGD��KDV�JURZQ�IURP�D�ȊVXJJHVWLRQ�RU�JXLGHOLQHȋ�LQWR�DQ�DOO�SHUYDVLYH�SROLF\�LQ�ZKLFK�VXVWDLQDEOH�UXOHV�DQG�UHJXODWLRQV�DUH�HHFWLQJ�SULYDWH�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV��ORFDO�GHYHORS-

ment; farming practices; energy creation and consumption; industry and its ability to operate in the nation; mode

of transportation; taxes; education curriculum; in short, nearly every aspect of our lives – just as Agenda 21 was

designed to do.

Meet The PlannersTRUSTS, NGO’S AND PLANNERS: The Implementers of Sustainable DevelopmentBy John Anthony

� +HUH�LV�D�VPDOO�VDPSOH�RI�SUHVWLJLRXV�QDWLRQDO��UHJLRQDO�DQG�SULYDWH�SODQQLQJ�RUJDQL]DWLRQV�DFURVV�$PHULFD�though by no means is it complete. Though well respected, each of these groups intentionally, or unintentionally is

furthering the ambitions of Agenda 21/sustainable development and Smart Growth using template solutions that

JUDGXDOO\�FRQȴVFDWH�SURSHUW\�DQG�UHGXFH�LI�QRW�VHYHU�SULYDWH�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV��

It is important to note that, while not every planning group, nor every conservation easement or grant is

detrimental to property ownership, an alarming number are. Therefore it is important to know, not only the back-

ground of the planning organization but to read every word of every document and have it reviewed by an indepen-

dent attorney before proceeding either individually or as a community with planning programs.

National Associations Implementing Sustainable Development:

American Farmland Trust

The AFT is a non-governmental organization (NGO) formed in 1980 by a group of farmers and conservation-

LVWV�WR�SUHVHUYH�IDUP�DQG�UDQFKODQG�LQ�WKH�86��ΖQ��WKH\�ZHUH�LQVWUXPHQWDO�LQ�SDVVDJH�RI�WKH�)DUPODQG�3URWHF-

tion Policy Act, which “minimized the extent to which Federal programs contribute to the…conversion of farmland to

non-agricultural uses…”

Over the years, their methods of “protecting” farmlands shifted from preservation to acquisition and control

of development rights. In 2007, they joined over 100 sustainability experts to help draft the President’s Climate Ac-

tion Plan. Today, the AFT provides enticing community surveys showing that residential land costs more for com-

munities to sustain than farmland because of required public services. This is the initial step in farmland acquisition


or control.

Through the Purchase of Agricultural Easements (PACE) and Transfer of Development Rights (TDR,) the AFT

and other trusts or NGOs, such as the Nature Conservancy, convince farmers to sell their land development rights

YLD�YDULRXV�VFKHPHV�WKDW�RIWHQ�LQFOXGH�D�WUDGHR�RI�WKHLU�ULJKWV�IRU�PRQH\�DQG�D�OLPLWHG�RU�SHUPDQHQW�DJULFXOWXUDO�easement. Many landowners agree to abide by “best practices,” yet retain ownership. In practice, federal or local

DJHQFLHV�RIWHQ�XSZDUGO\�UHGHȴQH�EHVW�SUDFWLFHV�XQWLO�WKH�ODQG�PD\�QR�ORQJHU�EH�SURȴWDEOH�WR�IDUP��LQ�ZKLFK�FDVH�there is a public or private trust ready to buy out the property.

American Planning Association� 7KLV�YHQHUDEOH��QRW�IRU�SURȴW�RUJDQL]DWLRQ�HYROYHG�LQ��IURP�WKH�merger of two other planning groups. A well-regarded NGO, the APA has

grown into one of America’s largest planning groups with chapters in 47

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From its urban planning roots, the APA transformed itself into one of

WKH�QDWLRQVȇ�OHDGLQJ�SURSRQHQWV�RI�6PDUW�*URZWK�DQG�VXVWDLQDEOH�GHYHORSPHQW��+8'�DQG�RWKHU�IHGHUDO�DJHQFLHV�paid the APA to create the, “Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook.” This is a massive, 1500 page compilation of boil-

erplate legislation and planning practices that opera-

WLRQDOL]HV�WKH�SULQFLSOHV�RI�8QLWHG�1DWLRQV�$JHQGD��as implemented through the now disbanded Presi-

dent’s Council on Sustainable Development.

Planners learn what some may consider manipula-

tive methods for gaining plan agreement from local

FLWL]HQV�DQG�SXEOLF�RɝFLDOV��)RU�H[DPSOH��PDQ\�$3$�organizations participate in Water Words that Work™

WUDLQLQJ��+HUH�LV�D�VDPSOH�FRXUVH�GHVFULSWLRQ��Ȋ7KH�Water Words That Work™ environmental message

method is a four-step process for transforming pro-

fessional language into action language that will

help make fundraising, issue advocacy, and behavior

change campaign a success.”

Today, the APA is one of the nation’s largest purveyors

of the Agenda 21 brand of sustainable development.

They engage in “physical, economic and social” planning. The “Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook” is found in

QHDUO\�HYHU\�XQLYHUVLW\��VWDWH�DQG�FRXQW\�LQ�WKH�86��ΖW�LV�WKH�SODQQLQJ�JXLGH�SUHIHUUHG�E\�PRVW�XUEDQ�DQG�UHJLRQDO�planners.

Metropolitan Association of Planning Organizations� 7KH�)HGHUDO�+LJKZD\�$FW�RI��UHTXLUHG�WKDW�ORFDOLWLHV�ZLWK�SRSXODWLRQV�RYHU��IRUP�SODQQLQJ�RUJD-

QL]DWLRQV�WR�DVVLVW�ZLWK�WKH�ΖQWHUVWDWH�+LJKZD\�6\VWHP�LQ�DQG�DURXQG�XUEDQ�DUHDV��%\��WKHVH�ZHUH�IRUPDOL]HG�LQWR�0HWURSROLWDQ�3ODQQLQJ�2UJDQL]DWLRQV��+8'�LVVXHG�JUDQWV�WR�WKRVH�032V�UXQ�E\�WKH�SXEOLF�UDWKHU�WKDQ�SULYDWH�sector thereby encouraging public sector local and regional councils.

AMPO was formed in 1994 to serve the needs of all MPO’s nationwide. AMPO implements federal transpor-

tation policy through state and local partnerships via local MPO’s. Because AMPO engages in air quality planning,

they are subject to all EPA regulations and guidelines.

One example of AMPOs dedication to Smart Growth and

the elimination of automobiles as a transportation mode is evi-

denced in their planning work in Jonesboro, Arkansas. During a

'HFHPEHU��SXEOLF�PHHWLQJ��0XKDPPDG�8ONDULP��WKH�7UDQV-

portation Study Director for the MPO of North East Arkansas made it clear that proposed bike trails were for the

SXUSRVH�RI�UHGXFLQJ�FDUV�RQ�WKH�URDG��QRW�LPSURYLQJ�WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ�FKRLFHV�RU�LQFUHDVHG�PRELOLW\��+H�ZHQW�RQ�WR�explain that this was part of the MPO’s Smart Growth initiative.


National Association of Regional Councils NARC, created in 1965, as regional councils and MPOs sprang up across the nation to meet common

multi-jurisdictional challenges, became an independent entity representing all regions by 1967. Today over 500 re-

gional councils including some 350 MPOs constitute NARC’s membership. NARC advocates and represents interests

IRU�UHJLRQDO�JURXSV�LQ�WKH�8�6��&RQJUHVV�DQG�ZLWK�)HGHUDO�DJHQFLHV�LQ�WKH�([HFXWLYH�%UDQFK��

NARC, regional councils and MPOs are “experienced collaborators adept at bringing people together and

JHWWLQJ�UHVXOWV�ȋ��)UHTXHQWO\�WKH�ZD\�WKH\�JHW�UHVXOWV�LV�TXHVWLRQDEOH��:KLOH�WRXWHG�DV�EHQHȴFLDO�WR�ORFDO�FRPPXQL-WLHV�DQG�D�FKDQQHO�IRU�FLWL]HQV�WR�EH�KHDUG��LQ�SUDFWLFH��1$5&ȇV�UHJLRQDO�FRXQFLOV�FDQ�DW�PDQ\�WLPHV�VWLȵH�FRPPXQLW\�input by rolling numerous communities into one large regional initiative thereby stunting local councils’ comments

and feedback.

As the NARC website says, “regionalism is already a salient topic in the world of governance and academia.”

7KDW�LV�WUXH��+RZHYHU��IRU�PDQ\��ZURQJ�UHDVRQV��:KLOH�VRPH�UHJLRQDO�JURXSV�DUH�EHQHȴFLDO��WRR�RIWHQ��WKH\�UHS-

resent quasi-governmental vehicles for accelerating the implementation of extreme environmental policies while

compromising of individual property rights by reducing public dissent. One example is Chattanooga TN where 16

communities were rolled into a single regional plan. A recent critical meeting was announced in a single newspaper

in one county. Of the 130 attendees, nearly 120 were “stakeholders” who were promoting the plan. Most counties

had no representation or notice of the meeting.

Regional Groups Implementing Sustainable Development:

American Planning Association Massachusetts Chapter (1000) This group is the MA chapter of the National APA. One indication of the group’s involvement in the imple-

mentation of sustainable development is evidenced in a recent published ad for a Sustainability Planner for the City

of Cambridge. The position requires the applicant “to be part of the city’s climate change mitigation and adaptation

program. Responsibilities include promotion of walking, biking, public transit and car sharing…supporting sustain-

able transportation and other green programs.”

Las Cruces MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) The Las Cruces MPO, formed in 1982 plans all aspects of the Las Cruces transportation system, including

roads, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, public transit and the airport. The MPO’s Transportation Improvement

Program includes several surface transportation projects funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of

2009 (stimulus) funds.

The reduction or elimination of automobile use is a key element of sustainable development programs. The

Las Cruces MPO works in conjunction with the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs being developed across the

country to encourage children to walk or bicycle to school. This program responds to questionable studies regard-

ing congestion, pollution and child health issues stemming from students being driven to school.

Middle Peninsula Planning District (Virginia)� 7KH�0LGGOH�3HQLQVXOD�3ODQQLQJ�'LVWULFW�FRPPLVVLRQ�SURPRWHV�WKH�RUGHUO\�DQG�HɝFLHQW�GHYHORSPHQW�RI�WKH�physical, social and economic elements of the district by planning, and encouraging and assisting localities to plan,

for the future. They provide grant application assistance, management services for program implementation, land

use planning services, mapping, highway development and specialized transit.

In their 2010 study entitled, “Conservation Easements – Fiscal Impacts to Communities in the Middle Pen-

insula,” the commission addressed the issue of tax revenue loss due to conservation easements imposed by the

commission. While addressing taxes, the study glossed over the loss of individual rights. The report notes that

landowners have numerous ownership rights, but falsely concludes that the surrender of their development rights

to conservation easements will have little impact on their remaining rights.

In reality, once a landowner agrees to a conservation easement, their property may be subject to surveil-

ODQFH��ȴQHV�DQG�WKH�GHYDOXLQJ�RI�WKH�SURSHUW\��7\SLFDOO\��RZQHUV�DJUHHLQJ�WR�D�FRQVHUYDWLRQ�HDVHPHQW�DUH�VXEMHFW�WR�punitive actions for easement violations, even if observed or caused by a third party. The MPPD does not mention

this in their study.


Southeastern Tennessee Development District The Southeast Tennessee Development District is a voluntary association of municipal and county govern-

ments located within the Southeast Tennessee region. SETDD provides planning and development services includ-

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STDD is a classic example of how regionalization can tear down citizen involvement. A recent initiative

involves the roll-up of 16 counties into a regional sustainable development program that embraces principles such

as compact development, redevelopment, transit-oriented development, transfer of development rights and open

space development. In addition, “complete streets,” “urban forests,” “green parking,” and “narrow streets” design

formats are used to reduce automobile usage and create walkable communities. The initiatives are in response to

WKH�ȴQGLQJV�IURP�D��VWXG\�HQWLWOHG��&RPSUHKHQVLYH�(FRQRPLF�'HYHORSPHQW�6WUDWHJ\��7KH�VWXG\�FUHDWHV�D�FULVLV�by making highly speculative claims regarding future economic growth and population increase in the region then

concludes this is a cause for action.

This planning initiative left 15 of 16 counties unrepresented in a recent critical stage regional meeting. In

subsequent meetings, local county authorities noted they were again uninformed of meeting times or dates. Lo-

FDO�RɝFLDOV�DUH�PRYLQJ�DKHDG�ZLWK�GHVLJQV�DW�D�UDSLG�SDFH�LQ�VSLWH�RI�WKH�ODFN�RI�FRPPXQLW\�LQYROYHPHQW�DQG�SRRU�awareness of the personal impact the planning will have.

Public and Private Firms Implementing Sustainable Development:ARUP� $583�LV�D�JOREDO�SODQQLQJ�DQG�HQJLQHHULQJ�FRPSDQ\�KHDGTXDUWHUHG�LQ�/RQGRQ��WKH�8QLWHG�.LQJGRP��ZLWK�RɝFHV�LQ��FRXQWULHV��7KH�ȴUP�KDV�HQJDJHG�LQ�SURMHFWV�RQ�VRPH�RI�WKH�ZRUOGȇV�EHVW�NQRZQ�VWUXFWXUHV�LQFOXGLQJ�WKH�6\GQH\�2SHUD�+RXVH�LQ�$XVWUDOLD�DQG�WKH�7DSSDQ�=HH�%ULGJH�LQ�1<��7KH�ȴUP�VSHFLDOL]HV�LQ�ȊEXLOW�HQYLURQPHQWȋ�projects that include environmental sustainability. Their designs transform cities to meet the challenges of “climate

change, population growth…and resource depletion.” Their “Smart Cities” program outlines ways to use current

technology to develop approaches that “might fundamentally transform the way cities are governed, operated,

interacted with and experienced.”

Clarion Associates� &ODULRQ�$VVRFLDWHV�RI�&KDSHO�+LOO��1&�LV�D�QDWLRQDO�SODQQLQJ��ODQG�XVH�UHJXODWLRQ�DQG�UHDO�HVWDWH�FRQVXOWLQJ�ȴUP�ZLWK�RɝFHV�LQ�VHYHQ�FLWLHV��7KH\�ZHUH�UHWDLQHG�E\�WKH�6PDUW�*URZWK�2ɝFH�RI�WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWHV�(QYLURQPHQWDO�3URWHFWLRQ�$JHQF\�WR�KHOS�GHȴQH�UXUDO�ȊVPDUW�JURZWKȋ�DQG�DFW�DV�OHDG�DXWKRU�IRU�D�UHSRUW�PDNLQJ�UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV�for priority revisions to local development codes and growth management policies to achieve rural smart growth

goals. The principles of Agenda 21/sustainable development were embedded in the EPA following Pres. Clinton’s

signing of executive order 12852.

Kennedy, Coulter, Rushing and Watson KCRW is a planning organization located in Chattanooga TN. According to their website, they help “organi-

]DWLRQV�DQG�FRPPXQLWLHV�WKURXJK�YLVLRQ��SODQQLQJ��FLWL]HQ�SDUWLFLSDWLRQ��DQG�HHFWLYH�LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ�ȋ��7KH�ȴUP�specializes in urban projects and sustainable communities. Their members are part of the team implementing the

TN 16 county initiative that has frequently left the majority of local citizens poorly informed of the negative conse-

quences of sustainable planning.

Renaissance Planning Group� 53*�LV�D�6RXWKHDVWHUQ�86�SODQQLQJ�ȴUP�ZLWK�RɝFHV�LQ�:DVKLQJWRQ�'&��7KH\�ȊVSHFLDOL]H�LQ�WKH�LQWHJUDWLRQ�of transportation, land use, urban design” by supporting “transit, walking, bicycling and social interaction.” Today,

planners incorporate communication methods to modify citizens’ thought processes to better accommodate the

SODQQHUȇV�YLVLRQ��7KLV�LV�HYLGHQW�IURP�53*ȇV�ZHEVLWH�ZKHUH�WKH�ȴUP�WDNHV�SULGH�LQ�LWV�DELOLW\�WR�FRPPXQLFDWH��ȊE\�weaving together words, numbers and visualizations into compelling and understandable stories about place.”

WRT Design (Wallace, Roberts, Todd) WRT is a national collaboration of regional planners, urban designers, and architects, headquartered in

Philadelphia. The group specializes in Sustainable Communities Planning, Education, Parks and Open Spaces and

8UEDQ�3ODFHV��7KH�ȴUP�KHOSV�ȊFRPPXQLWLHV�SODQ�HQYLURQPHQWDOO\��HFRQRPLFDOO\��DQG�VRFLDOO\�VXVWDLQDEOH�IXWXUHV�ȋ��Planning “socially sustainable futures” often requires the altering of individual citizen’s behaviors to meet commu-


nity social requirements as outlined in the planners’ design. This frequently means weaning people from cars and

LQWR�ZDONDEOH�DUHDV��RU�FRQYLQFLQJ�ODQGRZQHUV�WR�VDFULȴFH�SURSHUW\�GHYHORSPHQW�ULJKWV�IRU�WKH�JRRG�RI�IXWXUH�JHQ-

erations and the community.

MEET ICLEI

Many Americans ask how dangerous international policies can suddenly turn up in state and local govern-

ment, all seemingly uniform to those in communities across the nation and around the globe.

7KH�DQVZHU�Ȃ�0HHW�Ζ&/(Ζ��D�QRQ�SURȴW��SULYDWH�IRXQGDWLRQ��GHGLFDWHG�WR�KHOSLQJ�\RXU�PD\RU�LPSOHPHQW�DOO�RI�KLV�promises.

Originally known as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), today the group

simply calls itself “ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.”

In 1992, ICLEI was one of the groups instrumental in creating Agenda 21. Today ICLEI is used as one of the

mechanisms to undo the political recognition of unalienable rights.

The group’s mission is to push local communities to implement Agenda 21 policy that restructures our rep-

resentative form of government through global and non-elected regional government. Of course, ICLEI uses Global

Warming and environmental protection as the excuse.

ICLEI is there to assure that the mayors and county commissions keep their promises and meet their goals. Climate

change, of course, is the ICLEI mantra. When a community signs an agreement with ICLEI they are agreeing to im-

SRVH�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�DV�RɝFLDO�FRPPXQLW\�SROLF\��

� +HUH�DUH�MXVW�VRPH�RI�WKH�SURJUDPV�Ζ&/(Ζ�SXVKHV�LQWR�WKH�FRPPXQLW\�DJHQGD�LQ�WKH�QDPH�RI�ȊFRPPXQLW\�VHUYLFHVȋ�DQG�HQYLURQPHQWDO�SURWHFWLRQ��:KHQ�Ζ&/(Ζ�WDNHV�RYHU�D�WRZQ�LW�RUJDQL]HV�OLNH�D�ZHOO�RLOHG�PDFKLQH��XVLQJ�Access to a network of “Green” experts, newsletters, conferences and workshops – to assure the indoctrination of

city employees is complete; Toolkits, online resources, case studies, fact sheets, policy and practice manuals, and

blueprints used by other communities – so you know you are not alone;

� 7UDLQLQJ�ZRUNVKRSV�IRU�VWD�DQG�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�RQ�KRZ�WR�GHYHORS�DQG�LPSOHPHQW�WKH�SURJUDPV�$QG��RI�FRXUVH��WKHUHȇV�1RWLȴFDWLRQ�RI�UHOHYDQW�JUDQW�RSSRUWXQLWLHV�Ȃ�WKLV�LV�WKH�LPSRUWDQW�RQH�Ȃ�PRQH\�Ȃ�ZLWK�VHYHUH�strings attached;

And some of the ways to implement those regulations can get downright silly. For example, ICLEI’s program,

called “Green Power Government,” creates legislation to guarantee homeowners and businesses access to sunlight

by establishing a hypothetical “solar fence” that limits the amount of shade cast by new construction sites.

ICLEI recommends that the community hire a full time “sustainability manager,” who, even in small towns,

can devote 100% of his time to assure that every nook and corner of the government is on message and under con-

trol.

� $QG�KHUH�DUH�VRPH�RI�WKH�FRQVHTXHQFHV�RQFH�WKRVH�SURJUDPV�DQG�SROLFLHV�DUH�HQIRUFHG�

• +LJK�GHQVLW\�KRXVLQJ�VFDPV�• 7UDɝF�FRQJHVWLRQ�E\�GLVDOORZLQJ�WKH�EXLOGLQJ�RI�URDGV�• Open Space where access is not allowed

• *RYHUQPHQW�ȊSDUWQHULQJȋ�ZLWK�IDYRUHG�SULYDWH�EXVLQHVV�DQG�QRQ�SURȴW�DJHQFLHV��XVLQJ�\RXU�WD[�GROODUV�• 8QGHUPLQLQJ�&RQVWLWXWLRQDO�DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ�RI�JRYHUQPHQW�• Managed control over your life

• Mismanagement of public utilities

• 3URKLELWLRQV�RQ�QDWXUDO�UHVRXUFH�PDQDJHPHQW��OHDGLQJ�WR�LQFUHDVHG�ȴUH�KD]DUGV��ODFN�RI�ZDWHU��DQG�SULYDWH��property restrictions

• Increased taxes, fees, regulations and restrictions ICLEI’s method for imposing Sustainable Development policy

is to create a “soviet” system of non-elected boards, councils and regional governments in which local residence


have little or no ability to question or oppose government actions.

6RXUFH��)UHHGRP�$GYRFDWHV��ZZZ�IUHHGRPDGYRFDWHV�RUJ�

Following is a full report, issued by the Capital Research Center, on how ICLEI operates in local communities.

ICLEI - LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY”: Taxpayer Dollars and Foundation Grants Help a U.N.-Inspired Group Show U.S. Cities How to Enact Climate Change Policies

By David Libardoni

� 6XPPDU\��7KH�ELJ�SXVK�LV�RQ�WR�FRQWURO�JOREDO�ZDUPLQJ�E\�UHJXODWLQJ�WKH�$PHULFDQ�HFRQRP\��:KLOH�WKH�RXW-going Bush administration hesitates to push national legislation, one environmental group is building a coalition of

cities and counties to enact local laws regulating carbon emissions. “ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability” is a

��F��QRQSURȴW�FUHDWHG�E\�D�8�1��FRQIHUHQFH��1RZ�LWȇV�RHULQJ�DGYLFH�WR�ORFDO�SROLWLFLDQV�DQG�UHFUXLWLQJ�ȊVWUDWHJLF�partners” to build pressure for municipal energy regulation.

� 7KHVH�GD\V�FLW\�JRYHUQPHQW�RɝFLDOV�DUH�XVLQJ�SUHFLVH�QXPEHUV�ZKHQ�WKH\�WDON�DERXW�JOREDO�ZDUPLQJ��Naples, Florida mayor Bill Barnett says his city needs to reduce the 757,323 metric tons of greenhouse gases it

generated in 2006. Roanoke, Virginia is trying to cut its “carbon footprint” by 12.5%, but so far it’s only managed to

cut its emissions by 1.5%. The average resident of Lexington, Kentucky generates 3.46 metric tons of carbon diox-

LGH��IDU�DERYH�WKH�QDWLRQDO�DYHUDJH�RI��WRQV��VD\�FLW\�RɝFLDOV��ZKR�DWWULEXWH�WKH�EOXHJUDVV�UHJLRQȇV�VXUSULVLQJ�H[FHVV�WR�WKH�XVH�RI�FRDO�WR�JHQHUDWH�HOHFWULFLW\��2ɝFLDOV�RI�1HZ�&DVWOH��1HZ�<RUN��SRSXODWLRQ��VD\V�LWV�VWUHHWOLJKWV��ZDWHU�ȴOWUDWLRQ�SODQW��DQG�H[KDXVW�IURP�FLW\�ZRUNHUV�GULYLQJ�WR�DQG�IURP�ZRUN�SURGXFHG�D�WRWDO�RI��metric tons of greenhouse gases. The town is encouraging car-pooling and will make its streetlights more energy

HɝFLHQW�

“Save the Planet—Or Else” announced Newsweek magazine last year in an issue (April 16) devoted to mak-

ing big government environmental regulation a planetary imperative. The magazine showed a smiling California

JRYHUQRU�$UQROG�6FKZDU]HQHJJHU�VSLQQLQJ�WKH�JOREH�RQ�KLV�ȴ�QJHU��7R�VKRZ�WKDW�SDVVLQJ�ODZV�WR�FRQWURO�WKH�ZRUOGȇV�FOLPDWH�LV�WKH�RQO\�VHQVLEOH�WKLQJ�WR�GR��WKH�PDJD]LQH�H[SODLQHG�WKDW�JRYHUQRUV�DQG�HYHQ�8�6��PD\RUV�DUH�JHWWLQJ�LQ�RQ�WKH�DFW�

Embarking on an environmental program sounds like a great idea. But if you’re a mayor trying to cut green-

KRXVH�JDVHV��ZKHUH�GR�\RX�EHJLQ"�+RZ�GR�\RX�HYHQ�NQRZ�KRZ�WR�PHDVXUH�\RXU�FXUUHQW�OHYHOV"�7KDWȇV�ZKHUH�DQ�organization called ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability can help.

U.N. Plans, Local Actions

ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability is an obscure group pushing local governments to regulate the

environment—and it’s having tremendous success. Originally called the International Council for Local Environmen-

WDO�ΖQLWLDWLYHVȃKHQFH�WKH�DFURQ\P�Ζ&/(ΖȃWKH�JURXS�LV�WKH�SURGXFW�RI�D�8QLWHG�1DWLRQV�FRQIHUHQFH��WKH�8�1��:RUOG�&RQJUHVV�RI�/RFDO�*RYHUQPHQWV�IRU�D�6XVWDLQDEOH�)XWXUH��7KDW�FRQIHUHQFH��ZKLFK�PHW�LQ�1HZ�<RUN�&LW\�LQ��brought together delegates from 200 local governments in 43 countries. They were united by a belief that cities do

not need to wait for national governments before taking action on global climate issues.

Ambitious local politicians around the world are using ICLEI as an international platform that allows them

to build their careers and quickly network with one another on environmental issues. In 2003, the group revised

LWV�QDPH�WR�UHȵHFW�LWV�PLVVLRQ�DV�DQ�DGYRFDWH�IRU�ȊORFDO�JRYHUQPHQWV�RQ�WKH�LQWHUQDWLRQDO�VXVWDLQDELOLW\�VWDJH�ȋ�Renamed ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability, the international organization is headquartered in Toronto,

&DQDGD��DQG�KDV��VWD�ORFDWHG��LQ��RɝFHV�ZRUOGZLGH�>ZZZ�LFOHL�RUJ@��ΖWV�PHPEHUVKLS�FRQVLVWV�RI��ORFDO�JRY-


HUQPHQWV�DURXQG�WKH�ZRUOG�IURP�$DOERUJ��'HQPDUN�WR�=DFDWHFDV��0H[LFR��7KH\�IRFXV�RQ�EURDG�LVVXHV�RI�ȊVXVWDLQ-

ability,” the code word for eco-friendly policies, lower industrial production, lower personal consumption, economic

equality and other measures of global “social justice.”

� 7KH�$PHULFDQ�EUDQFK�RI�Ζ&/(Ζ�>ZZZ�LFOHLXVD�RUJ@�ZDV�IRXQGHG�LQ��E\�SROLWLFLDQ�1DQF\�6NLQQHU��ZKR�WKLV�month may be elected to the California State Assembly from the 14th District, which includes Berkeley, Richmond

and parts of Oakland. Skinner was once on the Berkeley city council (1984- 1992) where she pushed for an ordi-

QDQFH�WKDW�PDGH�%HUNHOH\�WKH�ȴUVW�$PHULFDQ�FLW\�WR�PDQGDWH�WKH�UHF\FOLQJ�RI��RI�LWV�ZDVWH��6R�LW�ZDV�QDWXUDO�IRU�KHU�WR�WDNH�D�OHDG�LQ�PDNLQJ�Ζ&/(Ζ�D�8�6��SLORW�SURMHFW�LQYROYLQJD�KDQGIXO�RI�ORFDO�FLW\�JRYHUQPHQWV��6NLQQHU�LQLWLDOO\�UDQ�WKH�SURJUDP�RXW�RI�KHU�JDUDJH�ZLWK�KHOS�IURP�D�VLQJOH�VWD�PHPEHU�

� 6NLQQHU�VXEVHTXHQWO\�EHFDPH�8�6��GLUHFWRU�RI�7KH�&OLPDWH�*URXS��DQ�LQWHUQDWLRQDO�FOLPDWH�FKDQJH�DGYRFDF\�organization with corporate and government members started in 2004 by former British prime minister Tony Blair.

7RGD\�WKH�8�6��KHDGTXDUWHUV�IRU�Ζ&/(Ζ�DQG�7KH�&OLPDWH�*URXS�DUH�FRQYHQLHQWO\�ORFDWHG�D�IHZ�ȵRRUV�DSDUW�LQ�DQ�2DN-

ODQG��&DOLIRUQLD�RɝFH�EXLOGLQJ��%RWK�JURXSV�DUH��F��WD[�H[HPSW�SXEOLF�FKDULWLHV�

� 'HVSLWH�LWV�KXPEOH�RULJLQV��Ζ&/(ΖȇV�LQȵXHQFH�LQ�WKH�8�6��KDV�JURZQ�H[SRQHQWLDOO\��2YHU��FLWLHV�DQG�FRXQWLHV�LQ��VWDWHV��H[FHSW�+DZDLL�DQG�6RXWK�'DNRWD��DUH�Ζ&/(Ζ�PHPEHUV��7KH�JURXS�LV�VKRRWLQJ�IRU��8�6��PHPEHUV�three years from now. Just two years ago, ICLEI had a mere 142 members. Its goal is to build a network of mayors,

FLW\�FRXQFLOV�DQG�ORFDO�SROLWLFLDQV�FRPPLWWHG�WR�WKH�LGHDO�RI�ȊVXVWDLQDELOLW\ȋ�DQG��VSHFLȴFDOO\��WR�SURPRWLQJ�FRPSXOVR-

ry carbon emissions standards.

The group’s 13-member national board of directors includes mayors and county executives as well as ICLEI

international members. They include the mayors of Albuquerque, Anchorage, Sacramento and North Little Rock; the

FRXQW\�H[HFXWLYHV�RI�:HVWFKHVWHU��1�<��DQG�:DVKLQJWRQȇV�.LQJ�&RXQW\��6HDWWOH��DQG�WKH�FOHUN�RI�0LDPL�'DGH�&RXQW\�

How Cities Use ICLEI’s Resources

� :KHQ�FLWLHV�MRLQ�WKH�Ζ&/(Ζ�ȵDJVKLS�SURJUDP��WKH�&LWLHV�IRU�&OLPDWH�3URWHFWLRQ�&DPSDLJQp��&&3��WKH\�JHW�KHOS�in creating climate change policies for their own communities. ICLEI asks its members to adopt a formal resolution

ZLWKLQ�WKH�ȴUVW�VL[�PRQWKV�RI�MRLQLQJ�WR�ȊDɝUP�\RXU�FRPPXQLW\ȇV�FRPPLWPHQW�WR�FOLPDWH�SURWHFWLRQ�ZRUN�ȋ�3D\PHQW�of a sliding-scale fee (based on population) enables ICLEI to give its member cities a range of useful services. They

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• Ȋ6RIWZDUH�SURGXFWV�DQG�DVVRFLDWHG�WUDLQLQJ�WR�DVVLVW�ZLWK�WKH�TXDQWLȴFDWLRQ�RI�JUHHQKRXVH�JDV�UHGXFWLRQV�DQG�RWKHU�EHQHȴWV�RI�FOLPDWH�SURWHFWLRQ�SODQQLQJ��

• Access to a professional network of peers through listservs, newsletters, conferences, and workshops.

• Toolkits, online resources, case studies, fact sheets, policy and practice manuals, and guides on approaches that

other local governments have successfully used to reduce greenhouse gases.

• 7UDLQLQJ�ZRUNVKRSV�IRU�VWD�DQG�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�RQ�KRZ�WR�GHYHORS�DQG�LPSOHPHQW�HHFWLYH�ORQJ�WHUP�HPLV-

sion reduction strategies.

• Technical assistance in designing and implementing actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• 1RWLȴFDWLRQ�RI�UHOHYDQW�JUDQW�RSSRUWXQLWLHV�$VVLVWDQFH�LQ�SXEOLFL]LQJ�ORFDO�FOLPDWH�SURWHFWLRQ�VXFFHVVHVȋ• 2XWVRXUFLQJ�WKH�GHWDLOV�RI�SROLF\�ZRUN�WR�Ζ&/(Ζ�OHWV�PHPEHU�FLWLHV�DQG�FRXQWLHV�HHFWLYHO\�DQG�TXLFNO\�HQDFW�FOL-

PDWH�SROLFLHV��$V�IRU�D�FLW\ȇV�RYHUDOO�FOLPDWH�JRDOV��Ζ&/(Ζ�VSHFLȴHV�Ȋ)LYH�0LOHVWRQHV�IRU�&OLPDWH�3URWHFWLRQȋ�WKDW�LWV�PHPEHU�ORFDOLWLHV�PXVW�LPSOHPHQW�

• Conduct a baseline emissions inventory and forecast

• Adopt an emissions reduction target Develop a Local Climate Action Plan

• Implement policies and measuring

� 0RQLWRU�DQG�YHULI\�UHVXOWV�7KLV�LV�D�WDOO�RUGHU��EXW�Ζ&/(Ζ�LV�DYDLODEOH�HYHU\�VWHS�RI�WKH�ZD\�WR�RHU�FLWLHV�suggestions on how they can reduce their carbon emissions. ICLEI software technology is a major tool that allows

FLWLHV�WR�PHDVXUH�ORFDO�FDUERQ�HPLVVLRQV��HVWLPDWH�DQG�WKHQ�WUDFN�WKH�EHQHȴWV�RI�HPLVVLRQ�UHGXFWLRQ��DQG�IRUPXODWH�comprehensive local climate action plans. ICLEI encourages cities to compare their carbon reduction strategies and


learn from each others’ policies. But cities are not the only entities using ICLEI tools. Air quality agencies, universi-

WLHV��FRQVXOWLQJ�ȴUPV��RWKHU�VWDWH�DJHQFLHV��DQG�WKH�8�6��(QYLURQPHQWDO�3URWHFWLRQ�$JHQF\��(3$��DOVR�PDNH�XVH�RI�ICLEI’s emission analysis tools. What happens next? One ICLEI program called Green FleetsTM shows cities how to

ȊJUHHQȋ�WKHLU�SROLFH��ȴUH�DQG�PXQLFLSDO�YHKLFOH�ȵHHWV��HQFRXUDJLQJ�FLW\�DXWKRULWLHV�WR�XVH�IXHO�HɝFLHQW�DQG�K\EULG�YHKLFOHV��DV�ZHOO�DV�WKRVH�SRZHUHG�E\�QDWXUDO�JDV��*UHHQȵHHWV��RUJ�JLYHV�FLW\�RɝFLDOV�D�EOXHSULQW�IRU�DFWLRQ��SURYLGHV�VDPSOH�RUGLQDQFHV�DQG�VWHS�E\�VWHS�VFHQDULRV�RQ�KRZ�WR�GUDIW�D�ȊJUHHQȵHHWȋ�UHVROXWLRQ�RU�H[HFXWLYH�RUGHU��

Another ICLEI program, Green Power Governments, suggests model city legislation to reward green tech-

QRORJ\��VSHFLȴFDOO\�VRODU�DQG�ZLQG�SRZHU��)RU�LQVWDQFH��WKDQNV�WR�Ζ&/(Ζ��WKH�FLW\�RI�%RXOGHU��&RORUDGR�HQDFWHG�DQ�ordinance “to protect the potential to use solar energy.” The law guarantees homeowners and businesses access to

sunlight by establishing a hypothetical “solar fence” that limits the amount of shade cast by new construction sites.

ICLEI has other programs that go beyond limiting carbon emissions. At heart, its Cities for Climate Protection Cam-

SDLJQ��&&3��LV�MXVW�WKDWȃD�FDPSDLJQ��7KDW�PHDQV�WKH�JURXS�ȴQGV�IXQGLQJ�VRXUFHV��FUHDWHV�PHGLD�RSSRUWXQLWLHV�DQG�GHYHORSV�EURDG�VFDOH�SROLF\�JRDOV�WR�ȊSXVK�WKH�ERXQGDULHV�RI�WUDGLWLRQDO�OHDGHUVKLS�LQ�WKH�8�6��DQG�DFKLHYH�VWURQJHU��accelerated movement toward sustainability goals through measured performance and tangible results.”

Tax Dollars and Foundation Grants for ICLEI Programs

� 6HYHUDO�\HDUV�DJR��Ζ&/(Ζ�HPEDUNHG�RQ�DQ�DJJUHVVLYH�H[SDQVLRQ�VWUDWHJ\��6LQFH��LW�KDV�RSHQHG�ȴYH�UHJLRQDO�KHDGTXDUWHUV�LQ�%RVWRQ��&KLFDJR��+RXVWRQ��'HQYHU�DQG�6HDWWOH��LQ�DGGLWLRQ�WR�LWV�QDWLRQDO�KHDGTXDUWHUV�LQ�2DNODQG��ZKLFK�HPSOR\V�D�VWD�RI��$�VL[WK�RɝFH�LV�SODQQHG�IRU�WKH�6RXWKHDVW�ODWH�LQ��7KH�6HDWWOH�RɝFH��opened in 2006, has been particularly successful, tripling in a year’s time the number of membership cities in the

3DFLȴF�1RUWKZHVW�

ICLEI can increase its regional headquarters and the scope of their operations because it is well-funded.

7KH�JURXS�ȵRXULVKHV�RQ�D�KHDOWK\�PL[�RI�UHYHQXH�VRXUFHV��LQFOXGLQJ�IRXQGDWLRQ�FRQWULEXWLRQV��SURJUDP�UHYHQXHV��municipal membership fees, and taxpayer support.

For years, the EPA has generously supported ICLEI programs. The federal government agency not only

underwrites the organization’s operational costs, but it also serves as a source of funding for local governments that

want ICLEI to help “green” their cities. Over the past 11 years, ICLEI has received between $250,000 and $1,500,000

annually in EPA grants to fund its CCP Campaign and emissions analysis software. In 2006, it reported $904,000 in

government grants (out of $3.3 million in total revenue) on its IRS 990 tax form, the most recent available.

The federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gives ICLEI grants for its Climate Safe

&LWLHV�SURJUDP��7KLV�SURJUDP�WUDLQV�FLW\�RɝFLDOV�WR�GHYHORS�HPHUJHQF\�SUHSDUHGQHVV�SODQV�WR�GHDO�ZLWK�WKH�SRVVL-ELOLW\�WKDW�JOREDO�ZDUPLQJ�ZLOO�FDXVH�ULVLQJ�VHD�OHYHOV��VWRUP�VXUJHV��DQG��\HDU�ȵRRG�F\FOHV��7KH�Ζ&/(Ζ�SURJUDP�LV�also supposed to train the media on how to provide press coverage explaining these events.

� /LNHZLVH��(3$�IXQGV�Ζ&/(ΖȇV�8UEDQ�+HDW�ΖVODQG�0LWLJDWLRQ��D�SURJUDP�WKDW�VKRZV�FLWLHV�KRZ�WR�XVH�UHVHDUFK�on cool paving materials. The EPA grant helps ICLEI develop fact sheets and model city legislation. In addition, ICLEI

helps mayors and city councils apply for other EPA grants programs like Clean Schools, Clean Cities and Clean Die-

sel.

Liberal and environmentalist groups also subsidize ICLEI operations. In 1997, George Soros’s Open Society

gave ICLEI a $2,147,415 grant to support its Local Agenda 21 Project, also sometimes known as Communities 21.

These are ICLEI-funded city projects that promote “sustainability.” They draw their inspiration from the Rio Earth

6XPPLW��WKH��8QLWHG�1DWLRQV�HQYLURQPHQW�FRQIHUHQFH�KHOG�LQ�%UD]LO��&RPPXQLWLHV�WKDW�DGRSW�$JHQGD��SURM-HFWV�JHW�Ζ&/(ΖȇV�KHOS�LQ�FUHDWLQJ�ȊVXVWDLQDELOLW\�LQYHQWRULHVȋ�DQG�WKH\�SDVV�UHVROXWLRQV�DɝUPLQJ�WKDW�WKH\�ZLOO�SXUVXH�WKH�ȊWKUHH�(ȇVȋ�RI�VXVWDLQDEOH�GHYHORSPHQW��HQYLURQPHQW��HFRQRP\��DQG�HTXDOLW\��2I�FRXUVH��Ζ&/(ΖȇV�GHȴQLWLRQ�RI�ȊVXVWDLQDEOH�GHYHORSPHQWȋ�FRPHV�IURP�WKH�8�1��DQG�OLEHUDO�JURXSV�VXFK�DV�WKH�6LHUUD�&OXE��&HQWHU�IRU�$PHULFDQ�Progress, Natural Resources Defense Council, and The Climate Group.

More recently, ICLEI has received major contributions from the left-leaning Rockefeller Brothers Fund,

($650,000 in March 2008, $525,000 in 2006), the Surdna Foundation ($200,000 in 2006), the Kendall Foundation

($150,000 in 2007) and the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation ($100,000 in 2007). ICLEI also got $500,000 in

2006 from the Kendeda Sustainability Fund, a donor-advised fund administered by the leftist Tides Foundation, to


support its Mayors for Climate Protection Initiative.

ICLEI seeks foundation grants for regional projects. Chicago’s Joyce Foundation gave ICLEI $200,000 in 2004

ȊWR�FRQYHQH�PXQLFLSDO�RɝFLDOV�IURP�8�6��DQG�&DQDGLDQ�FLWLHV�DURXQG�WKH�*UHDW�/DNHV�LQ�D�VHULHV�RI�PHHWLQJV�WR�GH-

velop climate policy responses for towns and cities.” The grant (along with a $125,000 grant from the Argosy Foun-

dation) paved the way for the ICLEI Midwest regional headquarters, which opened in Chicago in 2007. ICLEI also

UHFHLYHG��IURP�WKH�1HZ�<RUN�&RPPXQLW\�7UXVW��ZKLFK�DOORZHG�WKH�%LJ�$SSOH�WR�EHFRPH�WKH�ODUJHVW�FLW\�LQ�the world to conduct its own carbon emissions inventory.

Currently, ICLEI wants to establish a global standard for emissions accounting. It is developing cutting-edge

internet-based software to allow users to calculate, track, and conduct comparative analysis of greenhouse gas

emissions. The William J. Clinton Foundation and Microsoft Corp. are partnering with ICLEI on this new initiative. The

global ICLEI network and a group called C40, comprised of the world’s largest cities on the carbon-reduction band-

wagon, will have no-cost access to the program.

Targeting Politicians

ICLEI is well-liked by mayors and city council members because it shows them how to promote climate

FKDQJH�LQLWLDWLYHV�DQG�WKHQ�GRHV�WKHLU�ZRUN�IRU�WKHP��7KH�&HQWHU�IRU�&OLPDWH�6WUDWHJLHV��SURȴOHG�E\�&KULVWRSKHU�&��+RUQHU�LQ�WKH�$SULO��2UJDQL]DWLRQ�7UHQGV��SXVKHV�VWDWH�OHYHO�JOREDO�ZDUPLQJ�SROLFLHV�DQG�LV�VLPLODUO\�EHORYHG�E\�PDQ\�JRYHUQRUV�LQFOXGLQJ�0LQQHVRWD�*RY��7LP�3DZOHQW\��1HZ�<RUN�&LW\�PD\RU�0LFKDHO�%ORRPEHUJ�KDV�FDOOHG�ICLEI’s leadership “invaluable” because its “expert technical assistance was instrumental in helping us to complete

RXU�ȴUVW�HYHU�JUHHQKRXVH�JDV�LQYHQWRU\�ODVW�\HDU�ȋ�6XVDQ�5DLQH\��PD\RU�RI�:DOQXW�&UHHN��&DOLIRUQLD��D�%D\�DUHD�FLW\�RI�DERXW��VDLG�WKLV�DERXW�Ζ&/(Ζ�

� Ζ&/(ΖȇV�ȴYH�PLOHVWRQH�SURFHVV�PDNHV�VHQVH�DQG�\LHOGV�UHVXOWV��7KDWȇV�ZKDW�VROG�WKH�:DOQXW�&UHHN�&LW\�&RXQ-

FLO�RQ�Ζ&/(Ζ��Ζ&/(Ζ�VWD�LV�NQRZOHGJHDEOH��DFFHVVLEOH�DQG�LQYDOXDEOH�LQ�RUJDQL]LQJ�RXU�FRRUGLQDWHG�ORFDO�HRUW��Ζ&/(Ζ�SURYLGHV�WUDLQLQJ�DQG�WHFKQLFDO�DVVLVWDQFH�WR�FLW\�VWD��LGHQWLȴHV�EHVW�SUDFWLFHV�DQG�PHHWV�ZLWK�UHJLRQDO�DLU�TXDOLW\��utility, solid waste and transportation agencies to generate baseline emissions inventories that are both useful and

defendable. Thank you ICLEI!

� /RFDO�JRYHUQPHQWV�JUDWHIXOO\�RXWVRXUFH�WKHLU�ZRUN�WR�Ζ&/(Ζ��ZKLFK�HYHQ�RHUV�KLULQJ�DGYLFH��7KH�JURXS�UHF-

ommends that cities hire a “sustainability manager” to coordinate an inter-departmental green team representing

city administrative, public works, environment, facilities, budget, economic development, planning, social services,

and parks agencies “to share ideas about how to improve internal operations to make them more consistent with

environmentally sound practices.”

Will a green czar strong-arm city departments into adopting green goals? Will mayors with environmen-

tal stars in their eyes set up “visioning” committees to tell city agencies what to do? ICLEI’s broad-brush approach

shows just how eager it is to shape the urban agenda and how eagerly local politicians seek it out.

The Seattle Greenhawk and his “Emerald” City

� 6HDWWOH�0D\RU�*UHJ�1LFNHOV�LV�SHUKDSV�WKH�EHVW�H[DPSOH�RI�D�FLW\�Rɝ�FLDO�ZKR�KDV�ERXJKW�LQWR�WKH�Ζ&/(Ζ�YLVLRQ�RI�ȊVXVWDLQDELOLW\�ȋ�+LV�SXEOLF�RXWUHDFK�FDPSDLJQ��FDOOHG�6HDWWOH�&OLPDWH�$FWLRQ�12:��SURSRVHV�MRE�FUHDWLRQ�for a green economy, clean renewable energy, improved public transit and reduced car usage, and ways the city can

KHOS�FLWL]HQV�DQG�HPSOR\HUV�FRQVHUYH�QDWXUDO�UHVRXUFHV��UHGXFH�ZDVWH�DQG�EXLOG�HQHUJ\�HɝFLHQW�KRPHV�DQG�RɝFHV�The city makes use of ICLEI services, including the Green Fleets initiative for city vehicles. It uses ICLEI emissions cal-

culators to help local businesses cut their carbon emissions. Seattle city government conducts technical assistance

ZRUNVKRSV�IRU�ORFDO�HPSOR\HUV��RHUV�QHWZRUNLQJ�VHUYLFHV��DQG�SURYLGHV�D�UHFRJQLWLRQ�SURJUDP�IRU�FRPSDQLHV�WKDW�adopt a carbon cutting program.

Nickels’ plan to decrease Seattle’s “carbon footprint” calls on city residents to make changes to how they

OLYHȃDQG�WR�SD\�IRU�WKRVH�FKDQJHV��$PRQJ�8�6��FLWLHV��6HDWWOH�VSHQGV�WKH�PRVW�SHU�FDSLWD�RQ�ZDVWH�PDQDJHPHQW��Mayor Nickels recently proposed a 20-cent “green tax” on paper and plastic shopping bags used by food and drug

VWRUHV��$FFRUGLQJ�WR�6HDWWOH�3XEOLF�8WLOLWLHV��WKH�WD[�ZRXOG�JHQHUDWH�QHDUO\��PLOOLRQ�DQQXDOO\�IRU�WKH�FLW\��7KH�FLW\�ZRXOG�XVH��PLOOLRQ�WR�IXQG�D�VZLWFK�WR�UHXVDEOH�EDJV��ZKLFK�LW�ZRXOG�JLYH�DZD\�DW�QR�FRVW�WR�IDPLOLHV�ZLWK�ȴ�[HG�RU�low incomes. The other $8 million would fund more recycling, waste management, and environmental education.


7KH�PHDVXUH��DSSURYHG�E\�WKH�FLW\�FRXQFLO�RQ�-XO\��WDNHV�HHFW�RQ�-DQXDU\��DORQJ�ZLWK�D�EDQ�RQ�IRDP�FRQ-

tainers.

Seattle also sponsors “Green Power options” for city residents. A campaign encourages utility ratepayers to

pay a little more each month on their electric bill—a “green” premium—to allow the city to fund (“invest in”) solar

power pilot projects.

� +RZ�PXFK�GRHV�DOO�WKLV�FRVW�6HDWWOH"�)RUEHV�PDJD]LQH��ZKLFK�UDQNHG�6HDWWOH�WKH��Ȋ&OHDQHVW�&LW\ȋ�LQ��(after Miami) also ranked it the “Most Overpriced City” in 2004 and 2005. In 2008 Forbes called Seattle “America’s

0RVW�ΖQFUHDVLQJO\�8QDRUGDEOH�&LW\�ȋ�7KH�FLW\�FXUUHQWO\�EDWWOHV�WKH�KLJKHVW�LQȵDWLRQ�UDWH�Ȃ��Ȃ�LQ�WKH�8�6�

� 1LFNHOV�LV�D�YRFDO�DGYRFDWH�IRU�ORFDO�JUHHQ�DFWLRQ��:KHQ��FRXQWULHV�UDWLȴHG�WKH�.\RWR�3URWRFRO�LQ�)HEUX-

DU\��KH�ODXQFKHG�D�FDPSDLJQ�WR�KDYH�DW�OHDVW��FLWLHV�VLJQ�D�8�6��&RQIHUHQFH�RI�0D\RUVȇ�Ȋ&OLPDWH�3URWHFWLRQ�Agreement.” To date, the agreement has been signed by 850 mayors representing nearly 80 million constituents.

ΖW�FDOOVIRU�FLWLHV�WR�PHHW�RU�EHDW�WKH�.\RWR�3URWRFROȇV�FDUERQ�HPLVVLRQ�UHGXFWLRQ�JRDOV��7R�FXW�FDUERQ�HPLVVLRQV��from 1990 levels before 2012. The mayors further promise to urge state and federal legislators to enact a carbon

emissions cap-and-trade system to cut greenhouse gases.

To heighten media exposure, ICLEI sponsors a recognition program for mayors who sign the agreement.

A “Cool Mayors” website spotlights mayors who do “whatever it takes to bring about climate protection, piece by

SLHFH��VROXWLRQ�E\�VROXWLRQ�ȋ�7KH�6LHUUD�&OXE�VLPLODUO\�SURPRWHV�FLWLHV�WKDW�VLJQ�LWV�Ȋ&RRO�&LWLHVȋ�DJUHHPHQW��8VLQJ�WKH�media, it provides “showcase solutions” to implement at the state level and nationwide. Both Cool Mayors and Cool

Cities propel local politicians into the national debate on climate change.

Community “summit meetings” are another way ICLEI furthers its mission. In 2007, ICLEI co-hosted a Sun-

GDQFH�6XPPLW�RQ�JOREDO�ZDUPLQJ��ZLWK�DFWRU�5REHUW�5HGIRUG�DW�KLV�8WDK�UDQFK��6XQGDQFH�3UHVHUYH��DQG�D�7H[DV�Mayors Climate Summit, targeting a state heavily involved in fossil fuel production. Later that year, ICLEI opened a

+RXVWRQ��EDVHG�UHJLRQDO�KHDGTXDUWHUV�

ICLEI’s Global Strategy

� :KLOH�8�6��UHJLRQDO�RɝFHV�FRQWULEXWH�PRQH\�DQG�VHUYLFHV�WR�ORFDO�JRYHUQPHQWV��Ζ&/(Ζ�DOVR�SXVKHV�IRU�LQWHU-QDWLRQDO�FOLPDWH�FKDQJH�SROLFLHV��6LQFH��WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWHV�$JHQF\�IRU�ΖQWHUQDWLRQDO�'HYHORSPHQW��86$Ζ'��KDV�VXSSRUWHG�Ζ&/(ΖȇV�JOREDO�SURJUDPV��7KDW�\HDU��WKH�DJHQF\�JDYH�LW�D��JUDQW��EXW�86$Ζ'�IXQGLQJ�KDV�JUHDWO\�increased since then. The agency gave ICLEI grants of $746,526 in 2004 and $1,361,197 in 2005 for its international

programs for cities. ICLEI handed out $287,600 in 2005 to cities in South Africa and Mexico to support their local

CCP campaigns.

� $OO�WKLV�IXQGLQJ�KDV�UDLVHG�WKH�RUJDQL]DWLRQȇV�LQWHUQDWLRQDO�SURȴOH��:LWK�RɝFHV�DQG�VHFUHWDULDWV�RQ�VL[�FRQWL-nents and an International Training Center in Freiburg, Germany, ICLEI enjoys worldwide access. Nearly 20,000 local

government authorities have participated in training seminars, and over 900 cities are active members of the CCP

campaign. A six-year Strategic Plan envisions 10,000 local governments enrolled in the Local Agenda 21 initiative

DQG�SDUWLFLSDWLQJ�LQ�LWV�HFR%XGJHWp�V\VWHP�IRU�WUDFNLQJ�ȊVXVWDLQDELOLW\�IDFWRUV�ȋ

What’s next? Well, there’s the Green Jobs Pledge, begun in May 2008, in which mayors promise to promote a

JUHHQ�SULYDWH�VHFWRU�HFRQRP\��6D\V�DQ�HQWKXVLDVWLF�2O\PSLD��:DVKLQJWRQ�PD\RU�0DUN�)RXWFK�

� :H�DUH�SOHDVHG�WR�UHDFK�RXU�ȴIWK�PLOHVWRQH�WRZDUG�HPLVVLRQ�UHGXFWLRQV�WKLV�\HDU��Ζ&/(Ζ�FRDFKHG�XV�WKURXJK�the process of measuring our emissions and this has helped us put sustainability into action. Our crowning achieve-

ment this year is that city operations will have emissions below 1990 levels. Now that we have proven we can do it

ZH�FDQ�JR�RXW�WR�RXU�FRPPXQLW\�ZLWK�FRQȴGHQFH�WR�DVN�WKHP�WR�GR�WKH�VDPH��

David Libardoni, a student at Tufts University, In 2008, was a Haller summer intern at the Capital Research Center.

ICLEI Hides the Names of its


American City Members ΖQ�-XO\��Ζ&/(Ζ�UHPRYHG�WKH�QDPHV�RI�LQGLYLGXDO�86�cities from its website. They tell you how many cities in

HDFK�VWDWH�DUH�PHPEHUV�EXW�QRW�ZKLFK�WKH\�DUH��b+HUHȇV�DQ�H[DPSOH�

'LVWULFW�RI�&ROXPELD��PHPEHU6WDWH�RI�$ODEDPD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�$ODVND��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�$UL]RQD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�$UNDQVDV��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�&DOLIRUQLD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�&RORUDGR��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�&RQQHFWLFXW��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�'HODZDUH��PHPEHU6WDWH�RI�)ORULGD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�*HRUJLD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�+DZDLL��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�ΖGDKR��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�ΖOOLQRLV��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�ΖQGLDQD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�ΖRZD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�.DQVDV��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�.HQWXFN\��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�/RXLVLDQD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�0DLQH��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�0DU\ODQG��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�0DVVDFKXVHWWV��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�0LFKLJDQ��PHPEHUV

6WDWH�RI�0LQQHVRWD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�0LVVRXUL��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�0RQWDQD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�1HEUDVND��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�1HYDGD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�1HZ�+DPSVKLUH��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�1HZ�-HUVH\��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�1HZ�0H[LFR��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�1HZ�<RUN��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�1RUWK�&DUROLQD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�1RUWK�'DNRWD��PHPEHU6WDWH�RI�2KLR��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�2NODKRPD��PHPEHU6WDWH�RI�2UHJRQ��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�3HQQV\OYDQLD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�5KRGH�ΖVODQG��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�6RXWK�&DUROLQD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�6RXWK�'DNRWD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�7HQQHVVHH��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�7H[DV��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�8WDK��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�9HUPRQW��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�9LUJLQLD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�:DVKLQJWRQ��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�:HVW�9LUJLQLD��PHPEHUV6WDWH�RI�:LVFRQVLQ��PHPEHUV

ICLEI Cities List

� %HORZ�ZDV�WKH�Ζ&/(Ζ�86$�PHPEHUVKLS�OLVW�SULRU�WR�-XO\��ΖW�LV�QRW�FXUUHQW��EXW�LV�DV�FORVH�DV�ZH�FDQ�JHW��2QO\�86�FLWLHV�DUH�QRW�OLVWHG��&LWLHV�LQ�HYHU\�RWKHU�QDWLRQ�DUH�OLVWHG�RQ�WKH�Ζ&/(Ζ�ZHE�VLWH��

Abingdon, VAActon, MAAlachua County, FLAlbany, CAAlbany, NYAlexandria, VAAlgonquin, ILAllegheny County, PAAlliance, OHAmerican Canyon, CAAmherst, MAAnn Arbor, MIAntioch, CAArcata, CAArlington County, VAArroyo Grande, CAArvada, COAshland, ORAspen, COAtascadero, CAAthens-Clarke County, GAAthens, OHAtlanta, GAAuburn, MAAuburn, WAAustin, TXBabylon, NYBainbridge Island, WABeaverton, ORBedford, NYBelfast, MEBellevue, WABellingham, WABelmar, NJBelmont, MABelvedere, CABenicia, CABerea, KYBerkeley, CABeverly Hills, CABinghamton, NYBirmingham, ALBlacksburg, VABlaine County, IDBloomington, INBlue Earth County, MNBoston, MABothell, WABowie, MDBoynton Beach, FLBozeman, MTBranford, CTBrattleboro, VTBrenkeridge Town, COBridgeport, CTBrighton, NY%URRNȴHOG��Ζ/Brookhaven, NYBrookline, MABroward County, FL

Burlingame, CABurlington, VTCambridge, MACarmel, INCarbondale, COCarpinteria, CACarrboro, NCCary, NCCayuga County, NYChampaign, ILChandler, AZChapel Hill, NCCharleston, SCCharlotte, NCCharlottesville, VAChatham County, GAChatham, NYChattanooga, TNChelmsford, MAChevy Chase, MDChicago, ILChula Vista, CACimarron, NMCincinnati, OHClackamas County, ORClallam County, WAClark County, NVClarkstown, NYClayton, MOCleveland, OHClifton, NJCloverdale, CACoconut Creek, MDCollege Park, MDCollier County, FLColumbia, SCCommerce City, MDConcord, CAConcord, MACookeville, TNCooperstown, NYCoppell, TXCortlandt, NYCorvallis, ORCovina, CACoupeville, WACreve Coeur, MOCroton on Hudson, NYCulver City, CACupertino, CACutler Bay, FLDallas, TXDavie, FLDavis, CADearborn, MIDecatur, GADecorah, IADedham, MADel Mar, CADelray Beach, FL

Denton, TXDenver, CODevens, MADeWitt, NYDixon, CADobbs Ferry, NYDryden, NYDuarte, CADublin, CADubuque, IADuluth, MNDumfries, VADurango, CODurham, NCEast Palo Alto, CAEastchester, NYEatontown, NJEdina, MNEdinburg, TXEdmonds, WAEdwardsville, ILEl Cerrito, CAEl Paso, TXElmhurst, ILEmeryville, CAEncinitas, CAEssex, CTEugene, OREverett, WAFairbanks North Star Borough, AKFairfax, CA)DLUȴHOG��Ζ$)DLUȴHOG��&$Fairmont, WVFalls Church, VAFalls, PAFalmouth, MEFayetteville, ARFerndale, MIFitchburg, WI)ODJVWD��$=Flint, MIFort Collins, COFort Lauderdale, FLFoster City, CAFrankfort, KYFranklin, TNFremont, CAFullerton, CAGainesville, FLGaithersburg, MDGeneva, NYGlendale, CAGolden Valley, MNGolden, COGoodyear, AZGrand Forks, NDGrand Rapids, MIGrapevine, TXGreenbelt, MD

Greenburgh, NYGreenville, SCGroton, CTGunnison County, COHailey, IDHamilton County, TNHamilton, NJHarrisonburg, VAHastings on Hudson, NYHaverford, PAHawaii County, HIHayward, CAHelena, MTHenderson, NVHennepin County, MNHermosa Beach, CAHillsboro, ORHillsborough, CAHingham, MAHomer, AKHouston, TXHoward County, MDHoward, WIHunter, NYHuntsville, ALIowa City, IAIpswich, MAIrvine, CAIrving, TXIsland County, WAIssaquah, WAIthaca (City), NYIthaca (Town), NYJames City County, VAJohnson County, IAJohnson County, KSJuneau, AKKansas City, MOKeene, NHKey West, FLKing County, WAKingston, MAKirkland, WAKirkwood, MOKnoxville, TNLa Grange Park, ILLa Mirada, CALa Plata County, COLacey, WALafayette, CALaguna Vista, TXLake Forest, ILLake Oswego, ORLake Worth, FLLakewood, CALarchmont, NYLarkspur, CALas Cruces, NMLas Vegas, NVLawrence, KS

Lee County, FLLee’s Summit, MOLeon County, FLLewes, DELexington-Fayette County, KYLincoln City, ORLivermore, CALomita, CALos Alamos County, NMLos Altos, CALos Altos Hills Town, CALos Angeles County, CALos Gatos, CALoudoun County, VALoveland, COLower Southampton, PALynchburg, VALynnwood, WAMaitland, FLMadison, WIMadison County, NYMamaroneck (Town), NYMamaroneck (Village), NYManitou Springs, COMankato, MNMaplewood, NJMarathon, FLMarlboro, NJ0DUVKȴHOG��0$0DUVKȴHOG��:ΖMartinez, CAMcMinnville, ORMeadville, PAMedford, MAMenlo Park, CAMerced, CAMercer Island, WAMiami Gardens, FLMiami, FLMiami-Dade County, FLMiddletown, PAMill Valley, CAMillbrae, CAMilton, MAMilwaukee, WIMilwaukie, ORMinneapolis, MNMission, KSMissoula, MTMonmouth County, NJMonroe County, FLMonterey, CAMontgomery, ALMontgomery Township, PAMoorpark, CAMoraga, CAMount Kisco, NYMountain View, CAMt. Lebanon, PAMuncie, IN

Murrieta, CANantucket, MANapa County, CANapa, CANashua, NHNashville, TNNatick, MANether Providence, PANew Castle, NYNew Haven, CTNew London, CTNew Orleans, LANew Paltz (Town), NYNew Rochelle, NYNew York, NYNewark, CANewark, NJNorth Andover, MANorth Castle, NYNorth Hempstead, NYNorth Las Vegas, NVNorth Liberty, IANorth Little Rock, ARNorth Miami, FLNorthampton, MANorthbrook, ILNovato, CAOak Harbor, WAOak Park, ILOak Ridge, TNOakdale, MNOakland, CAOakley, CAOberlin, OHOlympia, WAOmaha, NEOnondaga County, NYOrange County, FLOrange County, NCOrangetown, NYOrinda, CAOrlando, FLOshkosh, WIOssining (Town), NYOssining (Village), NYOswego, ILOswego County, NY3DFLȴFD��&$Palm Bay, FLPalm Beach County, FLPalm Springs, CAPalmdale, CAPalo Alto, CAPark City, UTPassaic County, NJPeekskill, NYPenn Hills, PAPeoria, AZPhiladelphia, PAPhoenix, AZ

Pinecrest, FLPittsburg, CAPlantation, FLPort Townsend, WAPortland, MEPortland, ORPortola Valley, CAPortsmouth, NHPound Ridge, NYPrairie Village, KSPrince George’s County, MDPulaski County, ARQuincy, MARaleigh, NCRed Hook, NYRedmond, WARedwood City, CARenton, WARichardson, TXRichmond, VARichmond Heights, MO5LGJHȴHOG��&7Riverside, CARiverside, MORoanoke County, VARoanoke, VARochester, MNRochester, NYRock Island, ILRockford, ILRockville, MDRolling Hills Estates, CARosendale, NYRoseville, MNRoss, CARye, NYSacramento County, CASaint George, UTSaint Louis County, MOSaint Louis, MOSaint Paul, MNSalem, MASalinas, CASalisbury, MDSalt Lake City, UTSan Anselmo, CASan Antonio, TXSan Bruno, CASan Buenaventura (Ventura), CASan Carlos, CASan Clemente, CASan Diego, CASan Francisco, CASan Joaquin, CASan Jose, CASan Leandro, CASan Luis Obispo, CASan Marcos, TXSan Mateo County, CASan Mateo, CA

San Miguel County, COSan Pablo, CASanta Ana, CASanta Barbara County, CASanta Barbara, CASanta Clara, CASanta Clara County, CASanta Clarita, CASanta Cruz, CASanta Fe, NMSanta Monica, CASanta Rosa, CASantee, CASarasota, FLSaratoga Springs, NYSaugerties, NYSavannah, GASeaside, CASeaTac, WASeattle, WASchenectady County, NYShelby County, TNShoreline, WAShueyville, IASierra Madre, CASignal Mountain, TNSilver City, NMSioux Falls, SDSitka, AKSkagit County, WASkaneateles Village, NYSnohomish County, WASolana Beach, CASolano County, CASomers, NYSomerset County, NJSonoma City, CASonoma County, CASouth Bend, INSouth Daytona, FLSouthampton Village, NYSouth Gate, CASouth Miami, FLSouth Padre Island, TXSouth Portland, MESpartanburg, SCSpokane, WA6SULQJȴHOG��Ζ/St. Lawrence County, NYStamford, CTStaunton, VASullivan County, NYSummit County, UTSyracuse, NYTacoma, WATakoma Park, MDTallahassee, FLTamarac, FLTaos, NMTarrytown, NY

Temecula, CATempe, AZTewksbury, MAThurston County, WATiburon, CATompkins County, NYTown and Country, MOTracy, CATraverse City, MITuckahoe, NYTucson, AZTulsa, OKTumwater, WATybee Island, GATyngsborough, MAUnion City, CAUniversity City, MOUrbana, ILVacaville, CAVentura County, CAVernon,CAVictor, NYVirginia, MNVisalia, CAVista, CAVolusia County, FLWarwick Township, PAWashington, DCWashoe County, NVWellesley, MA:HOOȵHHW�7RZQ��0$West Chester, PAWest Palm Beach, FLWest Sacramento, CAWiliamson City, WVWillits, CAWilton, CTWinchester, MAWindsor, CAWindsor, CTWinston-Salem, NCWolfeboro, NHWoodburyWoodside, CAWoodstock, NYWorcester, MAWyandotte County/Kansas City, KSYarmouth, MEYonkers, NYYork, MEYoungstown, OHYountville, CA


But ICLEI is Not the Only One! Activists seeking to cut communities ties with ICLEI should keep in mind that they don’t have to be a mem-

EHU�RI�Ζ&/(Ζ�WR�EH�DHFWHG�E\�$JHQGD��Ζ&/(Ζ�SROLFHV��$URXQG�WKH�QDWLRQ�Ζ&/(Ζ�SDUWQHUV�ZLWK�RWKHU��HVWDEOLVKHG�organizations, like the American Planning Association (APA), and the International City/County Management Associ-

ation (ICMA), and the Renaissance Planning Group, to name a very few.

� 7KHVH�JURXSV�DQG�KXQGUHGV�OLNH�WKHP�ZRUN�KDQG�LQ�KDG�ZLWK�JURXSV�OLNH�WKH�8�6��&RQIHUHQFH�RI�0D\RUV��WKH�National Governors Association, the National League of Cities, the National Association of County Administrators,

DQG�PRUH�WKDW�ORFDOO\�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�SUREDEO\�EHORQJ�WR��

� ΖW�LV�QRZ�EHLQJ�GLVFRYHUHG�WKDW��ZKLOH�Ζ&/(Ζ�LV�D�FRQYHQLHQW�WDUJHW�EHFDXVH�RI�LWV�REYLRXV�WLHV�WR�WKH�81��WKH�American Planning Association may be the more dangerous player in the game. That’s because the APA is in liter-

ally every city. Trusted as a legitimate, non-controversial, established organization with nothing to tie it to an inter-

QDWLRQDO�81�FRQVSLUDF\�Ȃ�RU�VR�ZH�DUH�WROG��ΖQ�UHDOLW\��WKH�SROLFLHV�$3$�DGYRFDWHV�IRU�LWV�PHPEHU�FRPPXQLWLHV�DUH�directly tied to Agenda 21. In 2011, the APA issued it latest planning guide, shipped to nearly every community in the

QDWLRQ��$�TXLFN�ORRN�WKURXJK�LW�ȴQGV�UHIHUHQFHV�WR�VRFLDO�MXVWLFH��VPDUW�JURZWK��VWRSSLQJ�ȊXUEDQ�VSUDZO��SURPRWLRQ�RI�ȊDRUGDEOHȋ�KRXVLQJ��D�HXSKHPLVP�IRU�PL[LQJ�ORZ�LQFRPH��JRYHUQPHQW�KRXVLQJ�LQWR�ZHDOWKLHU�QHLJKERUKRRGV��combating climate change; energy preservation; and provisions for child care – all out of the social justice plank of

Agenda 21.

The American Planning Association� 7KH�$PHULFDQ�3ODQQLQJ�$VVRFLDWLRQ��$3$��LV�RQH�RI�WKH�ODUJHVW�SODQQLQJ�JURXSV�LQ�WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWH��ZLWK�FKDSWHUV�LQ�DW�OHDVW��VWDWHV�DQG��PHPEHUV�DQG�RYHU��FHUWLȴHG�SODQQHUV�RSHUDWLQJ�LQ�QHDUO\�HYHU\�American city.

From its early urban planning roots, the APA transformed itself into one of the nation’s leading proponents

RI�6PDUW�*URZWK�DQG�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW��+8'�DQG�RWKHU�IHGHUDO�DJHQFLHV�SDLG�WKH�$3$�WR�FUHDWH�WKH��Ȋ*URZ-

ing Smart Legislative Guidebook.” is a massive1500 page compilation of boilerplate legislation and planning prac-

WLFHV�WKDW�RSHUDWLRQDOL]HV�WKH�SULQFLSOHV�RI�8QLWHG�1DWLRQV�$JHQGD��DV�LPSOHPHQWHG�WKRXJK�WKH�QRZ�GLVEDQGHG�President’s Council on Sustainable Development. Today, the APA is one of the main forces in the nation to imple-

ment Agenda 21 policies through what it calls “local planning.”

The American Planning Association and its “Faulty” Handbook

by Tom DeWeese

With great fanfare, the American Planning As-

sociation (APA) reported results of a recent survey the

JURXS�FRQGXFWHG��Ȋ3ODQQLQJ�$PHULFD��3HUFHSWLRQV�DQG�Priorities”) showing that the anti- Agenda 21 “crowd is

slim.” Said the report, only 6% of those surveyed ex-

pressed opposition to Agenda 21, while 9% expressed

support for Agenda 21 and 85%, “the vast majority of

respondents, don’t know about Agenda 21.”

Typically, APA is using the survey to formulate

the image that opponents to Agenda 21/ Sustainable

Development are just a lunatic fringe with no standing

and of no consequence in the “real” world. !ey continue


to portray Agenda 21 as simply a 20 year old idea, and just a suggestion that planners and local governments might

consider.

� +RZHYHU��D�FORVHU�ORRN�DW�WKH�IXOO�survey, plus some additional APA reports

reveal some interesting, and in some cases,

astounding facts.

)LUVW�WKH�VXUYH\� It was designed to show support

for “Planning.” It has become an obsession

with the “planning community” because

Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development

have become the center of protests by

property owners and those who feel gov-

ernment has grown too big and powerful.

6R�WKH�$3$�KDV�ODXQFKHG�D�VHULHV�RI�HRUWV�WR�ȴJKW�EDFN��7KHVH�LQFOXGH�FRQGXFWLQJ�D�“boot camp” to train their legions of plan-

ners across the nation on how to deal with

anti-Agenda 21 protestors.

According to the APA, the “ndings of

WKH�6XUYH\�UHYHDO�WKDW��2QO\�RQH�WKLUG�EHOLHYH�WKHLU�FRPPXQLWLHV�DUH�GRLQJ�HQRXJK�WR�DGGUHVV�HFRQRPLF�VLWXDWLRQV��Very few Americans believe that market forces alone (the free market) improve the economy or encourage job

growth; 84 % feel that their community is getting worse or staying the same; Community planning is seen as needed

by a wide majority of all demographics; and of course, that

85% of Americans just don’t know enough to hold an opinion about Agenda 21.

� 7KRVH�DUH�SUHWW\�DVWRXQGLQJ�ȴQGLQJV��/RRNV�OLNH�WKHVH�ȊKRQHVWȋ�SODQQHUV�KDYH�WKHLU�ȴQJHUV�RQ�WKH�SXOVH�RI�the nation. And as the APA constantly reminds us in their materials, “there is no hidden agenda,” (as in Agenda 21).

$VWRXQGLQJ�SHUKDSV��XQWLO�\RX�ORRN�DW�WKH�DFWXDO�TXHVWLRQV�DVNHG�LQ�WKH�VXUYH\��)RU�H[DPSOH��)LQGLQJ��&RPPXQLW\�planning is seen as needed by a wide majority of all demographics (79% agree; 9% disagree; and 12% don’t know).

Wow!

� %XW�KHUH�LV�WKH�DFWXDO�TXHVWLRQ�WKDW�ZDV�DVNHG��Ȋ*HQHUDOO\��GR�\RX�DJUHH�RU�GLVDJUHH�WKDW�\RXU�FRPPXQLW\�FRXOG�EHQHȴW�IURP�D�FRPPXQLW\�SODQ�DV�GHȴQHG�DERYH"ȋ�7KH�GHȴQLWLRQ�SURYLGHG�LQ�RUGHU�WR�DQVZHU�WKH�TXHVWLRQ�ZDV�WKLV��Ȋ&RPPXQLW\�SODQQLQJ�LV�D�SURFHVV�WKDW�VHHNV�WR�HQJDJH�DOO�PHPEHUV�RI�D�FRPPXQLW\�WR�FUHDWH�PRUH�SURV-

perous, convenient, equitable, healthy and attractive places for present and future generations.”

Asking the question in that manner is akin to holding up a picture of Marilyn Monroe along with one of Rosy

O’Donnell and asking which one would they want to date. Give me the pretty one please – says 79%. In fact, in some

actual planning meetings they do just

that – hold up a picture of downtown depicting decaying, dreary buildings verses one of a shining, beautiful utopia,

DQG�WKH\�OLWHUDOO\�VD\��ȊZKLFK�RQH�GR�\RX�ZDQW"ȋ�ΖI�WKH�DQVZHU�LV��RI�FRXUVH��WKH�SUHWW\�RQH��WKHQ��<(6��WKH�FRPPXQLW\�supports planning! Talk about a “dumbed down” process.

Moreover, as the American Planning Association adamantly denies any connection to the

8QLWHG�1DWLRQVȇ�SROLF\�RI�$JHQGD��DQG�LWV�SODQQLQJ�SURJUDPV��KRZ�VWUDQJH�LW�LV�WKHQ�WKDW�WKH�$3$�GHȴQLWLRQ�RI�SODQQLQJ�LV�DOPRVW�LGHQWLFDO�WR�WKH�GHȴQLWLRQ�XVHG�E\�WKH�81�WR�GHȴQH�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHO-RSPHQW��&RPSDUH��81�'HȴQLWLRQ��Ȋ'HYHORSPHQW�WKDW�PHHWV�WKH�QHHGV�RI�WRGD\�ZLWKRXW�FRPSURPLVLQJ�WKH�DELOLW\�RI�IXWXUH�JHQHUDWLRQV�WR�PHHW�WKHLU�RZQ�QHHGV�ȋ�7KH�81�IXUWKHU�GHȴQHV�$JHQGD��Ȋ(HFWLYH�H[HFXWLRQ�RI�$JHQGD��will require a profound reorientation of all human society, unlike anything the world has ever experienced.” Such a

IRUFHG�SROLF\�ZRXOG�FHUWDLQO\�ȊHQJDJH�DOO�PHPEHUV�RI�D�FRPPXQLW\ȋ�ZKHWKHU�WKH\�ZDQW�WR�EH�RU�QRW��7KH�81�FDOOV�LW�D�“redeployment of human resources.”


� 2WKHU�WKDQ�VHPDQWLFV��WKHUH�LV�QR�GLHUHQFH�LQ�WKH�$3$ȇV�DQG�WKH�81ȇV�GHȴQLWLRQV�RI�SODQQLQJ�ȋ�7KH�SODQQHUVȇ�GHȴQLWLRQ�XVHV�DQ�LQWHUHVWLQJ�WHUP��ȊHTXLWDEOH�ȋ�7KH�81�DOVR�XVHV�VXFK�D�WHUP�LQ�GHVFULELQJ�$JHQGD��Ȃ�Ȋ6RFLDO�(TXLW\�ȋ�$QG�WKDW�LV�WUDQVODWHG�LQWR�DQRWKHU�WHUP��Ȋ6RFLDO�-XVWLFH�ȋ�ΖW�PHDQV�ȊUHGLVWULEXWLRQ�RI�ZHDOWK�ȋ�ΖV�WKDW�ZKDW�WKH�“local” planners have in mind for their community development?

� ΖWȇV�REYLRXV�WKDW�WKH�$3$�LV�SOD\LQJ�ZRUG�JDPHV�ZLWK�LWV�VXUYH\V�DQG�GHȴQLWLRQV�RI�SODQQLQJ��1R�ZRQGHU�VXFK�DQ�RYHUZKHOPLQJ�PDMRULW\�DQVZHU�LQ�WKH�DɝUPDWLYH�WR�VXFK�TXHVWLRQV�

� $QG��\HV��PD\EH�D�ORW�RI�$PHULFDQV�GRQȇW�NQRZ�ZKDW�$JHQGD��UHDOO\�LV��+RZHYHU��LI�WKH�$3$�DVNHG�UHDO�questions that gave a solid clue as to the planning they actually have in mind, I’m quite sure they would get a much

GLHUHQW�UHVSRQVH�Ȃ�ZKHWKHU�WKH�SHUVRQ�DQVZHULQJ�KDG�HYHU�KHDUG�RI�$JHQGD��RU�QRW��)RU�H[DPSOH��KHUH�DUH�VRPH�VDPSOH�TXHVWLRQV�WKDW�FRXOG�KHOS�WKH�$3$�WDNH�WKH�UHDO�SXOVH�RI�WKH�FRPPXQLW\�Ȃ�LI�WKH\�ZDQWHG�WR�EH�KRQHVW�

5HDO�TXHVWLRQV�SODQQHUV�VKRXOG�DVN�• +RZ�GR�WKH�FLWL]HQV�IHHO�DERXW�SODQQLQJ�SROLF\�WKDW�GLFWDWHV�WKH�VL]H�RI�WKHLU�\DUG�DQG�IRUFHV�KLJK�GHQVLW\�GHYHO-

opments where one practically sits on top of their neighbors? Do they still support such “Planning?”

• +RZ�GR�WKH�FLWL]HQV�IHHO�DERXW�SODQQLQJ�WKDW�HQIRUFHV�WKH�FUHDWLRQ�RI�SXEOLF�WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ�ZLWK�D�OLPLWHG�QXP-

ber of riders – yet could cost taxpayers so much money that it would be literally cheaper to buy each potential

rider a brand new Rolls Royce, even when the chau#eur is thrown in for good measure? Do they still support-

such “Planning?

• +RZ�GR�WKH\�IHHO�DERXW�SODQQLQJ�WKDW�HQIRUFHV�OLPLWV�RQ�HQHUJ\�XVH�DQG�IRUFHV�XS�HQHUJ\�FRVWV"�:KDW�LI�WKDW�included forcing residents to replace their appliances with more energy e%cient ones to meet “Planning Stan-

dards?” Do they still support such “Planning?”

• +RZ�GR�WKH�FLWL]HQV�IHHO�DERXW�3ODQQLQJ�WKDW�IRUFHV�FDUV�WR�ȊVKDUH�WKH�URDGȋ�ZLWK�ELF\FOHV�DQG�IRRW�WUD�F��HYHQ�DV�Planners narrow the streets, deliberately making it harder to drive? Do they still support such “Planning?”

• +RZ�GR�WKH�FLWL]HQV�IHHO�DERXW�3ODQQLQJ�WKDW�IRUFHV�WD[�SD\HUV�WR�SD\�IRU�SOXJ�LQ�VWDWLRQV�IRU�HOHFWULF�FDUV�WKDW�KDUGO\�DQ\RQH�ZDQWV�RU�XVHV��IRU�WKH�VSHFLȴF�SXUSRVH�RI�IRUFLQJ�SHRSOH�WR�EX\�WKHP"�'R�WKH\�VWLOO�VXSSRUW�VXFK�“Planning?”

• +RZ�GR�WKH�FLWL]HQV�IHHO�DERXW�3ODQQLQJ�WKDW�FUHDWHV�QRQ�HOHFWHG�ERDUGV��FRXQFLOV�DQG�UHJLRQDO�JRYHUQPHQWV�WR�HQIRUFH�WKHLU�SROLFLHV��ZKLFK�DFWXDOO\�GLPLQLVK�WKH�SRZHU�RI�WKH�RɝFLDOV�WKH\�HOHFWHG��VHYHUHO\�UHGXFLQJ�FLWL]HQ�input into policy? Do they still support such “Planning?”

Ask the questions in this manner instead of trying to whitewash them into sounding like innocent, non-in-

WUXVLYH�ORFDO�LGHDV�IRU�FRPPXQLW\�GHYHORSPHQW��$VN�WKH�TXHVWLRQV�VR�WKDW�WKH\�UHȵHFW�WKH�FRQVHTXHQFHV�RI�WKH�SODQV��DQG�WKHQ�VHH�LI�WKH��QRZ�DUH�VR�HDJHU�WR�LJQRUH�WKH�HHFWV�RI�$JHQGD��

The reality is that Americans across the nation are now openly protesting such policies as they are being en-

forced in communities everywhere. They are directly tied to the stated goals of Sustainable Development, the social

policy of Agenda 21. And that is why a twenty year old “suggestion” has become the focal point of attacks on “local”

planning.

Planners are shocked that people are opposed to such attacks on their private property and their pocket-

books, and they are doing everything possible to label such Americans as “fringe conspiracy theorists.” The survey is

SDUW�RI�WKDW�HRUW�

� ΖQ�IDFW��WKH�$3$�VXUYH\�IROORZV�D�EDUUDJH�RI�QHZV�DUWLFOHV��REYLRXVO\�FRQWULYHG�E\�WKH�SXEOLF�UHODWLRQV�ȴUP�hired by APA, to again, paint its image as just a group of honest planners trying to do their jobs while being unjustly

DWWDFNHG�E\�IULQJH�UDGLFDOV��6XFK�FRQYHQLHQW�UHSRUWV�KDYH�VXGGHQO\�DSSHDUHG�RQ�WKH�IURQW�SDJH�RI�WKH�1HZ�<RUN�Times, Washington Post, Wisconsin Watch, Mother Jones and the Southern Poverty Law Center, to name a few. It’s

interesting to note that most of these stories name me as the perpetrator.

As mentioned, the APA has organized a boot camp to train their planners how to combat we nasty protes-

tors. Through its new training, the APA downplays revealing details of the plan, instead, suggesting ways to make

their presentations merely “conversations with the community,” using empathy, and terms that are non-technical.”

Obviously APA believes the protestors are just simpleminded and unable to see their wisdom. One shouldn’t be so

upset over losing control of their property, their business or their farm. There’s a higher good at stake here, after all.


And so, to accomplish that task of dumbed- down “planning,” (and in fact, hiding its real purpose) the APA

is going to great lengths to change the words. For example, the APA has issued to its members a “Glossary for the

Public” that suggests what words should no longer be used in public meetings when discussing planning, because

they make the opposition see “red.” So the planners should not use words like collaboration and consensus, or pub-

lic visioning, or even “Smart Growth.”

The Glossary provides speci”c language and tactics to be used to defuse protests. “Stay on message,” it says.

“!e following phrases may be useful to help you frame your message in a way that is positive and inclusive, when

transitioning to a local example, or to stay on message during public meetings where critics may attempt to distract

IURP�WKH�DJHQGD�RU�WRSLF�DW�KDQG�ȋ�$QG�KHUH�LV�WKH�ODQJXDJH�WKH\�VXJJHVW��Ȋ3ODQV�DQG�SODQQLQJ�DUH�WLPH�WHVWHG�ZD\V�for communities and neighborhoods to create more options and choices for their residents…” In other words, we’ve

always had planning, so what’s the problem?”

Such “public” meetings that the APA is so worried about being disrupted are not public at all. !ey are “con-

sensus” meetings, run by professional facilitators, trained in psychology to use stealth to direct the audience into a

pre-determined direction for a pre- determined outcome. Anyone asking questions outside the well-controlled box

is labeled a protestor. And yes, we are protesting that! It is not how things are to be done in a free society, especially

when your own property is at stake.

� <HV��WKHUH�KDV�EHHQ�SODQQLQJ�WKURXJKRXW�WKH�KLVWRU\�RI�$PHULFD��0DQ\�FRPPXQLWLHV�KDYH�FRPH�XS�ZLWK�e%cient ways to deal with water use and waste disposal, and to assure that factories weren’t built next door to pri-

vate homes, and so forth. And no one is protesting that!

Our “ght is with “planning” that is speci”cally designed to curtail energy use, drive up costs, control private

property and development and building – literally dictating a change in our lives and even changing the very struc-

ture of our system of government.

One of the tools the APA uses to enforce planning is through the International Code Council (ICC), an inter-

national set of standards based on a one size “ts all set of regulations. !e ICC also develops the International Energy

&RQVHUYDWLRQ�&RGH��D�PRGHO�IRU�HQHUJ\�H�FLHQF\�FRGH��$QG�LW�GHYHORSV�D�VWDQGDUG�IRU�$FFHVVLEOH�$QG�8VDEOH�%XLOG-

ing Facilities. Each of these codes is aimed at cutting back energy use, controlling private property use, and, in short,

enforcing sustainable development. Where was the concept of sustainable development “rst introduced and per-

fected as an agenda for development? Oh yes, in Agenda 21. !ere is no room for discussion, reason or consideration

for exceptional local situations. !e APA brings these codes and others into the community planning as a pre- pack-

aged deal in&icting the community with (yes) foreign regulations. And yes, dedicated Americans protest that this is

QRW�ORFDO�JRYHUQPHQW�RU�SODQQLQJ��EXW�WKH�HQIRUFHPHQW�RI�DQ�LQWHUQDWLRQDO��81��DJHQGD�

We further “nd similar pre-packaged regulations coming from federal agencies, including the EPA (which

openly admits that some of its grant programs are designed to impose Agenda 21) the Forest Service (which admits

WKDW�LWV�SROLFLHV�RQ�IRUHVW�FRQVHUYDWLRQ�DUH�FRPLQJ�IURP�WKH�81ȇV�%UXQGWODQG�&RPPLVVLRQ�RQ�*OREDO�*RYHUQDQFH��DV�ZHOO�DV�SROLFHV�IURP�WKH�'HSDUWPHQW�RI�+RXVLQJ�DQG�8UEDQ�'HYHORSPHQW��+8'��DQG�WKH�'HSDUWPHQWof Transportation, to name a few.

$QG�VR�LW�JRHV��*RYHUQPHQW�LQ�WKH�8�6��DW�DOO�OHYHOV��LV�KDSSLO\�PRYLQJ�IRUZDUG�ZLWK�VXFK�SODQV��XVLQJ�WKH�JURXQG�troops supplied by the American Planning Association in every community. It’s happening fast, and is all-pervasive.

And as people are being run over by such plans, some are trying to slow down the runaway freight train by standing

in the tracks and yelling stop! !ey of course are the ones labeled as fringe nuts.

� +RZHYHU��DV�WKH�$3$�GRHV�HYHU\WKLQJ�LW�FDQ�WR�VR�ODEHO�RXU�PRYHPHQW��D�VKRFNLQJ�QHZ�UHSRUW�SURYLGHV�QHZ�evidence that the sustainable polices advocated by APA in the cities – the policy known as Smart Growth – is wrong

KHDGHG�DQG�UHDOO\�SUHWW\�GXPE��$QG�ZKHUH�GRHV�VXFK�D�UHSRUW�DSSHDU"�+HUHȇV�WKH�UHDO�VKRFNHU��ΖW�ZDV�SXEOLVKHG�LQ�WKH�-RXUQDO�RI�WKH�$PHULFDQ�3ODQQLQJ�$VVRFLDWLRQ�LQ�DQ�DUWLFOH�HQWLWOHG�Ȋ'RHV�8UEDQ�)RUP�5HDOO\�0DWWHU�ȋ�ΖW�LV�DQ�DQDO\VLV�RI�6PDUW�*URZWK�SROLFHV�LQ�WKH�8QLWHG�.LQJGRP�ZKLFK�VKRZV�WKDW�WKH�ȊFRPSDFW�FLW\ȋ�FRQWUROV�GRQȇW�ZRUN�

Says the report, “!e current planning policy strategies for land use and transportation have virtually no im-

pact on the major long-term increases in resource and energy consumption. !ey will generally tend to increase costs

and reduce economic competitiveness.” Continues the report, “Claims of compaction will make cities more sustain-

able have been debated for some time, but they lack conclusive supporting evidence as to the environmental and,

particularly, economic and social e#ects.”


There you have it. Right out of the pages of the APA’s own Journal, the very policies that they are forcing

on communities across the nation, are wrong. Forcing mass migration into cities where people are to live in high

density buildings, or homes on lots so close together that the dog can’t squeeze between houses, have no e#ect on

the environment. But as I have stated in articles and speeches across the nation, such “planning” creates an arti”cial

shortage of land, causing housing costs to go up. It doesn’t cut down on energy use or protect the environment. It’s

a useless intrusion in the lives of honest Americas.

And that is exactly why we are protesting Agenda 21. It is wrong. !e premise is wrong.

!e facts as presented by the APA and other planners, are wrong. It is wrong for our nation. Wrong for property own-

ers. Wrong for future generations.

In the 1970s, author Richard Bach, who wrote the classic book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, also wrote a

VHFRQG�ERRN�HQWLWOHG��ȊΖOOXVLRQV��7KH�$GYHQWXUHV�RI�D�5HOXFWDQW�0HVVLDK�ȋ�ΖQ�WKH�ERRN��D�0HVVLDK��IRUFHG�WR�FRPH�XS�ZLWK�DQVZHUV�WR�WKH�SUREOHPV�RI�OLIH��FRQVXOWHG�WKH�Ȋ0HVVLDKȇV�+DQGERRN�ȋ�$OO�KH�KDG�WR�GR�ZDV�RSHQ�WKH�ERRN�DQG�LW�ZRXOG�PLUDFXORXVO\�RSHQ�WR�WKH�YHU\�SDJH�FRQWDLQLQJ�WKH�DQVZHU�KH�VRXJKW��+H�VWXPEOHG�WKURXJK�KLV�DGYHQWXUHV��IROORZLQJ�WKH�KDQGERRN��%XW�ȴQDOO\��LQ�WKH�HQG��DV�KH�FRQVXOWHG�LW�D�ȴQDO�WLPH��WKH�SDJH�UHDG�VLPSO\��Ȋ(YHU\WKLQJ�LQ�this book may be wrong.

� 7KHUH�LV�RQO\�RQH�ULJKW�DSSURDFK�IRU�D�FRPPXQLW\�WR�FRPH�WRJHWKHU�WR�GLVFXVV�DQG�VROYH�FRPPRQ�SUREOHP��open discussion, honest debates and votes, and above all, a full concentration on the protection of private property

rights as the ultimate decider. The American Planning Association needs a new handbook!

Glossary for the Public What follows is an exact copy of the American Planning Association’s “Glossary for the Public,” which it

GLVWULEXWHG�WR�LWV�PHPEHUV�WR�WHDFK�WKHP�KRZ�WR�XVH�GLHUHQW�ZRUGV�WR�KLGH�WKH�WUXH�LQWHQW�RI�WKHLU�SODQQLQJ�SUR-

JUDPV��2I�VSHFLDO�LQWHUHVW��WDNH�D�JRRG�ORRN�DW�WKH�RSHQLQJ�OLQH�LQ�ZKLFK�WKH�$3$�WHOOV�LWV�SHRSOH�Ȃ�%(�&$5()8/�:+$7�<28�6$<�72�7+(�38%/Ζ&�

Read this document carefully. It is raw evidence of the evil that is slithering into your local government. It ex-

SRVHV�WKH�QHZ�ODQJXDJH�DQG�WDFWLFV�\RX�ZLOO�IDFH��8VH�LW�RSHQO\��([SRVH�LW��+HUHȇV�D�OHJLWLPDWH�TXHVWLRQ�IRU�\RXU�IHO-ORZ�FLWL]HQV��HYHQ�LI�WKH\�GRQȇW�DJUHH�ZLWK�\RXU�RSSRVLWLRQ�WR�$JHQGD��'R�\RX�WUXVW�D�JRYHUQPHQW�DQG�LWV�SROLFLHV�that are enforced through lies and stealth? Is that how you want your government to run? This document proves

that is what they are doing. What is wrong with Sustainable Development if they have to hide it from the “public?”

http://www.planning.org/apastore/Search/Default.aspx?p=1867


Here it is… The Smoking GunThe direct link between Agenda 21 and local planners!

� :KHQ�WKH�ȴJKW�VWDUWHG�DJDLQVW�$JHQGD��WKRVH�RI�XV�ZRUNLQJ�WR�H[SRVH�LW�ZHUH�ODUJHO\�LJQRUHG�E\�WKH�PDLQ�stream media and even the established Conservative movement and its media. Too far out there, they said, to be

taken seriously.

� 7KHQ��DV�PRUH�DQG�PRUH�$PHULFDQV�EHJDQ�WR�H[SHULHQFH�WKH�GLUH�HHFWV�RI�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�LQ�WKHLU�GDLO\�OLYHV��VXGGHQO\�RXU�PHVVDJH�EHJDQ�WR�WDNH�KROG��7RGD\��WKRXVDQGV�RI�$PHULFDQV�KDYH�WDNHQ�XS�WKH�ȴJKW��And anti-Agenda 21 activists are storming planning meetings, demanding answers. State legislatures and even some

FRXQW\�DQG�FLW\�JRYHUQPHQWV�DUH�SDVVLQJ�OHJLVODWLRQ�DJDLQVW�LW��ΖW�VHHPV�WKH�$JHQGD��ȴJKW�LV�HYHU\ZKHUH��

So, now, proponents of the Sustainable Development policy are alarmed and working feverishly to counter

our claims that such controls over local development and energy policy have their roots in international policy. In

SDUWLFXODU��RXU�FODLPV�WKDW�WKHVH�SODQQLQJ�SROLFLHV�FRPH�IURP�WKH�81ȇV�$JHQGD��WKDW�ZDV�LQWURGXFHG�WR�WKH�ZRUOG�at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992.

Their most often used description of Agenda 21 is an “innocuous, 20 year old document that has no enforce-

ment power.” Continuously we hear that local planning programs, especially from such groups like the American

3ODQQLQJ�$VVRFLDWLRQ��$3$��KDYH�QR�FRQQHFWLRQ�WR�$JHQGD��RU�WKH�81��ΖWȇV�DOO�ORFDO�Ȃ�RU�DV�WKH�$3$�VD\V�LQ�LWV�GRFX-

PHQW��*ORVVDU\�IRU�WKH�3XEOLF��Ȋ7KHUH�LV�QR�KLGGHQ�DJHQGD�ȋ��ΖQ�LWV�Ȋ$JHQGD��0\WKV�DQG�)DFWVȋ�GRFXPHQW�IRXQG�RQ�WKH�$3$�ZHEVLWH��WKH�JURXS�JRHV�WR�H[WUHPH�PHDVXUHV�WR�GLVWDQFH�LWVHOI�DQG�LWV�SROLFLHV�IURP�$JHQGD��VSHFLȴFDOO\�VD\LQJ�Ȋ7KH�$PHULFDQ�3ODQQLQJ�$VVRFLDWLRQ�KDV�QR�DɝOLDWLRQ�UHJDUGLQJ�DQ\�SROLF\�JRDOV�DQG�UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV�RI�WKH�81�ȋ�

Well, then it would be interesting to hear the APA explain this information found in one of its own docu-

ments from 1994. The document was an APA newsletter to its members in the Northern California (San Francisco

$UHD��7KH�DUWLFOH�ZDV�D�FRPPHQWDU\�HQWLWOHG�Ȋ+RZ�6XVWDLQDEOH�LV�2XW�3ODQQLQJ��E\�5REHUW�2GODQG��ΖW�ZDV�ZULWWHQ�MXVW�WZR�\HDUV�DIWHU�WKH�81�(DUWK�6XPPLW�DW�ZKLFK�$JHQGD��ZDV�ȴUVW�LQWURGXFHG�WR�WKH�ZRUOG��

� 7KH�ȴIWK�SDUDJUDSK�RI�WKH�DUWLFOH�VD\V��Ȋ9LFH�3UHVLGHQW�*RUHȇV�ERRN��(DUWK�LQ�WKH�%DODQFH�DGGUHVVHG�PDQ\�RI�the general issues of sustainability. Within the past year, the President’s Council on Sustainable Development has

been organized to develop recommendations for incorporating sustainability into the federal government. Also, var-

ious groups have been formed to implement Agenda 21, a comprehensive blueprint for sustainable development

WKDW�ZDV�DGRSWHG�DW�WKH�UHFHQW�81&('�FRQIHUHQFH�LQ�5LR�GH�-DQHLUR��WKH�Ȋ(DUWK�6XPPLW�ȋ��

� ΖQ�RQH�SDUDJUDSK��WKLV�GRFXPHQW�EULQJV�WRJHWKHU�WKH�$3$��$JHQGD��WKH�81ȇV�(DUWK�6XPPLW��$O�*RUH��Sustainable Development, the President’s Council on Sustainable Development, NGO groups with the mission of im-

plementing Agenda 21 and the description of Agenda 21 as a “comprehensive Blueprint” for Sustainable planning. It

sounds like it came verbatim from one of my speeches!

A couple of paragraphs higher in the article, it says, “A common misconception is that sustainability is syn-

RQ\PRXV�ZLWK�VHOI�VXɝFLHQF\��RQ�WKH�FRQWUDU\��VXVWDLQDELOLW\�PXVW�UHFRJQL]H�WKH�LQWHUFRQQHFWLRQV�EHWZHHQ�GLHUHQW�levels of societal structure.” That “societal structure” is “social justice,” as described in Agenda 21. A visit to the Plan-

QHUV1HWZRUN�RUJ��ZKLFK�WKH�$3$�LV�D�PHPEHU��ZLOO�ȴQG�LQ�LWV�6WDWHPHQW�RI�3ULQFLSOHV�WKLV�TXRWH��Ȋ:H�EHOLHYH�SODQQLQJ�should be a tool for allocating resources…and eliminating the great inequalities of wealth and power in our society

… because the free market has proven incapable of doing this.”

� 7KH�8QLWHG�1DWLRQV�EODWDQWO\�DGYRFDWHV�WKDW�&DSLWDOLVP�DQG�SULYDWH�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV�DUH�QRW�VXVWDLQDEOH�DQG�SRVH�WKH�VLQJOH�JUHDWHVW�WKUHDW�WR�WKH�ZRUOGȇV�HFRV\VWHP�DQG�VRFLDO�HTXLW\��$QG��ZKLOH�VRPHWLPHV�XVLQJ�GLHUHQW�words, the APA is helping communities across the nation enforce these ideas, while swearing it is all a local idea,

designed from local input.

� $V�*HRUJH�2UZHOO�PDVWHUIXOO\�SXW�LW�LQ�KLV�HSLF�QRYHO�Ȋ$QLPDO�)DUP�ȋ�LWȇV�EHFRPH�GLɝFXOW�WR�VHH�WKH�GLHUHQFH�EHWZHHQ�WKH�SLJV�DQG�WKH�IDUPHUV�Ȃ�RU�WKH�$3$�DQG�WKH�81�


� 6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�LV�QRW�LPSOHPHQWHG�LQ�WKH�RSHQ��DV�WKH�$3$�FODLPV��EXW�LQ�EDFN�URRPV�ȴOOHG�ZLWK�WKH�SURSHU�1*2�RUJDQL]DWLRQV��ZKLFK�VXUURXQG�\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�DQG�SUHVVXUHV�WKHLU�DFWLRQV��ΖQ�WKDW�ZD\�LW�LV�changing our American society and form of government, making government more powerful and more invasive

in our daily lives. Sustainability is anti free enterprise, anti private property, and anti individual – and that’s why we

oppose it.


How to Stop Agenda 21Fast new way to describe Agenda 21

Explaining Agenda 21 to the average citizen is a daunting task. It is a vast, all encompassing system of poli-

FLHV��FUHDWHG�WKURXJK�D�FRPSOH[�HFRQRPLF�DQG�VRFLDO�SKLORVRSK\�WKDW�PXVW�ȴUVW�EH�XQGHUVWRRG�EHIRUH�EHLQJ�DEOH�WR�PDNH�WKH�FRQQHFWLRQV�EHWZHHQ�WKH�8QLWHG�1DWLRQV�DQG��ORFDO�JRYHUQPHQW�UHJXODWLRQV��

Most anti-Agenda 21 activists attempt to convert their neighbors by pinning them down and trying to indoc-

trinate them with hours and hours of mind-numbing details. Eyes roll back in the head, glaze over, and the basic

result is that the well-meaning, concerned activists loses his invitation to the neighborhood Christmas party, but

makes no progress in brining new people to the cause.

� 3HUKDSV�D�GLHUHQW�DSSURDFK�ZRXOG�EH�PRUH�HHFWLYH��2QH�WKDW�WDNHV�RQO\�D�PDWWHU�RI�PLQXWHV�WR�H[SODLQ��One that might get the neighbor’s attention and inspire them to seek more information on their own.

For example, you are talking to your neighbor about some new regulations that have come out of the local

FRXQW\�JRYHUQPHQW�WKDW�DHFWV�\RXUȇV�DQG�\RXU�QHLJKERUȇV�SURSHUW\��3HUKDSV�LW�GHDOV�ZLWK�WKH�HQYLURQPHQW��3HU-haps it involves new strict policies on energy use, such as forcing you to buy new windows, install a new roof, or

HYHQ�UHSODFLQJ�DOO�RI�\RXU�DSSOLDQFHV�ZLWK�QHZ�HQHUJ\�HɝFLHQW�DSSOLDQFHV��ΖW�LV�JRLQJ�WR�FRVW�\RX�DQG�\RXU�QHLJKERU�WKRXVDQGV�RI�GROODUV�WR�FRPSO\��+H�LV�FRQFHUQHG�DQG�ZRQGHUV�ZK\�WKH�FRXQW\�KDV�GRQH�WKLV��

� 1RZ��\RX�FRXOG�VWDUW�ZLWK�D�IXOO�H[SODQDWLRQ�RI�WKH�81ȇV�(DUWK�6XPPLW�ZKHUH�DQ�DJHQGD�RI�WRS�GRZQ�LQWHU-national control of all property, energy use, water use, planned development, mandatory stake and pack high rises,

attacks on the entire free enterprise system, and destruction of our representative form of government are the

WDUJHWV��<RX�ZRXOG�EH�ULJKW��Ζ�WHOO�DOO�RI�WKDW�LQ�HYHU\�RQH�RI�P\�VSHHFKHV�DURXQG�WKH�QDWLRQ��%XW�SHRSOH�YROXQWDULO\�FRPH�WR�KHDU�P\�VSHHFKHV��<RXU�QHLJKERU�GLGQȇW��1RW�GRHV�KH�KDYH�\RXU�N�NQRZOHGJH�RU�SDVVLRQ�IRU�WKH�SULQFLSOHV�of free enterprise and the wisdom or our Founding Fathers.

So, instead of the full course on economics and philosophy that you want to pound into his head – try this

DSSURDFK��&DVXDOO\�VD\�

Some think that the planet is in danger of global warming and over consumption.

� 7KH\�UHDOO\�EHOLHYH�WKDW�WKH�RQO\�ZD\�WR�ȴ[�WKH�SUREOHP�LV�WR�FRQWURO�WKH�ȵRZ�RI�UHVRXUFHV�DQG�ZHDOWK��ZKLFK�literally means changing human civilization and the way we live.

The problem is, this forced transformation of our society necessarily leads to a thirst for power by some and

top-down control of government - and that can eventually lead to tyranny.

And you are seeing some of that very thinking in these new regulations that our local government has just

KDQGHG�GRZQ�RQ�XV��3HUKDSV�ZH�VKRXOG�JR�GRZQ�WR�WKH�QH[W�&RXQFLO�PHHWLQJ�DQG�VHH�ZKDW�ZH�FDQ�ȴQG�RXW��

� ΖQ�WKLV�PDQQHU��\RX�KDYH�FRPSOHWHO\�H[SODLQHG�WKH�EDVLV�IRU�$JHQGD��ZLWKRXW�HYHQ�PHQWLRQLQJ�LW��<RX�have opened the door to his next question – “What do you mean.” If he wants to k now more then he has opened

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NEW TACTICS TO FIGHT BACK

Using Defense of Private Property Rights� 2YHU�WKH�SDVW�FRXSOH�RI�\HDUV��DV�ZHȇYH�HGXFDWHG�SHRSOH�RQ�$JHQGD��DQG�LWV�81origins, the natural reaction by concerned citizens and activists has been to rush into city hall and accuse their

elected representatives of implementing international policies on the town. This has, of course, been met with

VNHSWLFLVP�DQG�ULGLFXOH�RQ�WKH�SDUW�RI�VRPH�RI�WKH�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV��HJJHG�RQ�E\�WKH�1*2�VWDNHKROGHU�JURXSV�DQG�planning organizations). Today, the promoters of Agenda 21, including ICLEI and the American Planning Association

(APA) have worked overtime to paint our movement as crazed conspiracy theorists wearing tin foil hats and hearing

voices.

So, it’s time to change tactics.

+RZ�WR�ƬJKW�EDFN�DJDLQVW�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQWBy Tom DeWeese

� 7R�EHJLQ�WKH�HRUW�WR�ȴJKW�EDFN�DJDLQVW�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�LW�LV�YLWDO�WR�ȴUVW�XQGHUVWDQG�WKH�PDVVLYH�VWUXFWXUH�\RX�DUH�IDFLQJ��<RX�QHHG�WR�NQRZ�ZKR�WKH�SOD\HUV�DUH�DQG�\RX�QHHG�WR�XQGHUVWDQG�WKH�SROLWLFDO�ZRUOG�\RXU�RɝFLDOV�DUH�RSHUDWLQJ�LQ��7KLV�PD\�KHOS�\RX�WR�XQGHUVWDQG�WKDW�SHUKDSV�WKH\�DUHQȇW�DOO�HYLO�JOREDOLVWV��EXW��SHUKDSV��good people who are surrounded by powers that won’t let them see the reality of the policies they are helping to

implement.

� ΖȇP�FHUWDLQO\�QRW�PDNLQJ�H[FXVHV�IRU�WKHP��EXW�EHIRUH�\RX�UXVK�LQ�DQG�VWDUW�\HOOLQJ�DERXW�WKHLU�HQIRUFLQJ�81�policies on the community, here are some things you should consider.

In most communities, you mayor, city council members and county commissioners are automatically mem-

bers of national organizations like the National Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, and the national

associations for city council members, and the same for commissioners. Those in the state government also have

the National Governors Association and state legislators have their national organization. For the past twenty years

or more, each and every one of these national organizations have been promoting Sustainable Development and

related policies. The National Mayors Conference and the National Governors Association have been leaders in this

DJHQGD��PDQ\�WLPHV�ZRUNLQJ�GLUHFWO\�ZLWK�81�RUJDQL]DWLRQV�WR�SURPRWH�WKH�SROLF\��7KDW�LV�WKH�PHVVDJH�\RXU�ORFDO�HOHFWHG�OHDGHUV�KHDU��IURP�WKH�SRGLXP��IURP�IHOORZ�RɝFLDOV�IURP�RWKHU�FRPPXQLWLHV��IURP�ȊH[SHUWVȋ�WKH\ȇYH�EHHQ�told to respect; in committee meetings; from dinner speakers; from literature they are given at such meetings. They

are told of legislation that will be soon be implemented, and they are even provided sample legislation to introduce

in their communities.

Back home, they are surrounded by a horde of “stakeholder” groups, each promoting a piece of the agen-

GD��EH�LW�SROLFLHV�IRU�ZDWHU�FRQWURO��HQHUJ\�FRQWURO��GHYHORSPHQW�FRQWURO��VSHFLȴF�EXLOGLQJ�PDWHULDOV�FRQWURO��KLVWRULF�preservation and control of “downtown” development, conservation easements and development rights for control

of rural property. These groups like ICLEI, the American Planning Association, the Renaissance Planning Group, and

many more, are heavily involved with state and federal plans. They arrive in your community with blue prints, state

DQG�IHGHUDO�SODQV��JUDQWV�DQG�ORWV�RI�FRQWDFWV�LQ�KLJK�SODFHV��7KHUH�DUH�RɝFLDO�VWDWH�DQG�IHGHUDO�SURJUDPV�IRU�ȊJRLQJ�Green,” Comprehensive land use plans, and lots of programs for the kids in the classrooms.

� 7KHUH�LV�DOVR�D�VHFRQG�KRUGH�LQYROYHG�LQ�WKH�6XVWDLQDEOLVW�LQYDVLRQ�Ȃ�VWDWH�DQG�IHGHUDO�DJHQF\�RɝFLDOV�LQFOXG-

LQJ�(3$�DJHQWV��DLU�DQG�ZDWHU�TXDOLW\�DJHQWV��ΖQWHULRU�'HSDUWPHQW�RɝFLDOV��+8'�RɝFLDOV��HQHUJ\�RɝFLDOV��&RPPHUFH�'HSDUWPHQW�RɝFLDOV��DQG�RQ�DQG�RQ�Ȃ�DOO�WDUJHWLQJ�\RXU�ORFDOO\�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�ZLWK�SROLF\��PRQH\��UHJXODWLRQV��reports, special planning boards, meetings, and conferences, all promoting the exact same agenda.

And don’t forget the news media, both locally and nationally, also promoting the Sustainablist agenda,

attacking anyone not going along, ready to quickly use the “extremist” label against them. The message is clear -


Sustainable Development is reality – politically correct, necessary, unquestionable, and it has “consensus.”

� ΖV�\RXU�KHDG�VSLQQLQJ�\HW"�7KLQN�RI�WKH�DHFW�DOO�RI�WKLV�KDV�RQ�D�SRRU�ORFDO�RɝFLDO�ZKR�MXVW�WKRXJKW�KH�ZRXOG�UXQ�IRU�RɝFH�DQG�VHUYH�KLV�FRPPXQLW\��7KLV�LV�KLV�UHDOLW\��7KLV�LV�ZKDW�KH�WKLQNV�JRYHUQPHQW�LV�VXSSRVHG�WR�be because, after all, everyone he is dealing with says so.

Now, as he is surrounded by all of these important, powerful folks, along comes a local citizen who tells him

WKDW�VRPH�JX\�QDPHG�7RP�'H:HHVH�VD\V�DOO�RI�WKHVH�SURJUDPV�DUH�IURP�WKH�81�DQG�DUH�WDNLQJ�DZD\�RXU�OLEHUW\��:KR"�+H�VDLG�ZKDW"�&RPH�RQ��ΖȇP�QRW�GRLQJ�WKDW��$QG�Ζ�GRQȇW�KDYH�WLPH�WR�WDON�DERXW�LW��Ζ�KDYH�DQRWKHU�PHHWLQJ�WR�JR�to.

� ΖI�ZH�DUH�JRLQJ�WR�VXFFHVVIXOO\�ȴJKW�$JHQGD��LW�LV�YLWDOO\�LPSRUWDQW�WKDW�ZH�DOO�UHFRJQL]H�WKLV�UHDOLW\�DV�ZH�SODQ�WR�GHDO�ZLWK�LW�DQG�GHIHDW�LW��:LWK�WKDW�LQ�PLQG��Ζ�RHU�WKH�IROORZLQJ�LGHDV��

Don’t Fight Alone!!!!

� )LUVW�DQG�IRUHPRVW��GRQȇW�WU\�WR�ȴJKW�DORQH��ΖI�\RX�WU\�WR�DWWHQG�ORFDO�PHHWLQJV�E\�\RXUVHOI�\RX�ZLOO�EH�LJQRUHG��<RX�ZLOO�QHHG�RWKHUV�WR�SODQ�DQG�LPSOHPHQW�VWUDWHJ\��<RX�KDYH�IDPLO\�DQG�IULHQGV��6WDUW�ZLWK�WKHP��$VN�WKHP�WR�KHOS�ORRN�LQWR�VRPH�ORFDO�SROLFLHV��(YHQ�LI�WKH\�VWDUW�R�VNHSWLFDO�DERXW�\RXU�FRQFHUQV��LW�ZRQȇW�WDNH�WKHP�ORQJ�WR�VHH�WKH�truth. Check out of there is a local tea party or even a local Republican group. Churches are a target of such policies.

$OHUW�SHRSOH�DW�\RXU�FKXUFK�DQG�DVN�WKHP�WR�KHOS�ȴJKW�EDFN��)LQG�SHRSOH�WR�KHOS�\RX��

Research:

� 'RQȇW�HYHQ�EHJLQ�WR�RSHQ�XS�D�ȴJKW�XQWLO�\RX�NQRZ�FHUWDLQ�GHWDLOV��)LUVW��ZKR�DUH�WKH�SOD\HUV�LQ�\RXU�FRP-

munity. What privately funded “stakeholder” groups are there? What is their agenda? What other communities have

they operated in? What projects? What results? Who are their members in your community? Are they residents or

GLG�WKH\�FRPH�IURP�ȊRXW�RI�WRZQ"ȋ��7KDW�FRXOG�SURYH�WR�EH�YDOXDEOH�LQIRUPDWLRQ�ODWHU�LQ�WKH�ȴJKW��)LQGLQJ�WKLV�LQIRU-PDWLRQ�PD\�EH�WKH�KDUGHVW�RI�\RXU�HRUWV��7KH\�OLNH�WR�RSHUDWH�RXW�RI�WKH�VSRWOLJKW��ΖWȇV�QRW�OLNHO\�WKDW�WKH�WRZQ�ZLOO�FDUU\�RɝFLDO�GRFXPHQWDWLRQ�RI�ZKR�LW�LV�ZRUNLQJ�ZLWK��ΖW�SUREDEO\�ZLOO�UHTXLUH�WKDW�\RX�DWWHQG�ORWV�RI�PHHWLQJV�DQG�hearings. Take note of who is there and their role. Do this quietly. Don’t announce to the community what you are

GRLQJ��'RQȇW�PDNH�\RXUVHOYHV�D�WDUJHW��<RX�PD\�KDYH�WR�DVN�TXHVWLRQV�DQG�WKDW�PD\�UDLVH�VRPH�H\HEURZV��%XW�VWD\�out of the way as much as possible.

� 6HFRQG��JHW�DOO�WKH�GHWDLOV�RQ�WKH�SODQV�\RXU�FRPPXQLW\�LV�ZRUNLQJ�RQ��+DV�WKHUH�DOUHDG\�EHHQ�OHJLVODWLRQ�passed? Most of this information can be found on the town website. Knowing this information will help you put

WRJHWKHU�D�SODQ�RI�DFWLRQ��2QFH�\RX�KDYH�LW��\RX�FDQ�EHJLQ�WR�WDNH�\RXU�ȴJKW�SXEOLF�� :LWK�WKH�LQIRUPDWLRQ�\RX�KDYH�JDWKHUHG��EHJLQ�WR�H[DPLQH�WKH�HHFW�WKH�SROLFLHV�ZLOO�KDYH�RQ�WKH�FRPPX-

nity and its residents. Find who the victims of the legislation or regulation may be. This will be of great value as you

confront city council. People understand victim stories – especially if it is them. It is the best way to undermine the

process – and help get people to join your cause.

� <RX�ZLOO�ȴQG�WKDW�&RQVHUYDWLRQ�(DVHPHQWV�KDYH�UDLVHG�WD[HV�DV�PXFK�RI�WKH�FRXQW\�ODQG�LV�UHPRYHG�IURP�the tax rolls – someone has to make up for the lost revenue and the payment of easements. Are “stakeholder”

groups helping to get landowners to sign up for the easements – and if so – do they get any kind of kickbacks? Who

DUH�JHWWLQJ�WKH�HDVHPHQWV"�<RX�PD\�ȴQG�WKH�ULFK�ODQG�RZQHUV�KDYH�IRXQG�D�JUHDW�ORRSKROH�WR�FXW�WKHLU�RZQ�SURSHU-ty taxes as the middle class makes up the short fall. This will help bring usually disinterested people to your cause.

Does the community plan call for reduction of energy use? If so, look for calls for energy audits and taxes

on energy use. The audits mean that the government has set a goal to reduce energy use. It may follow that gov-

ernment agents are going to come into your home to inspect your energy use. Then they are going to tell you what

must be done in your home to cut usage. That will cost you money. Don’t fall for the line that it is all voluntary – to

help you save money. They haven’t gone to this much trouble to be ignored. Regulations are not voluntary.

These are just a couple of examples of what to look for as you do your research. There are many more,

including meters on wells to control water use, smart meters to take away your control of your thermostat; non

elected boards and councils to control local development and implement smart growth, leading to population


growth; Public/Private Partnerships with local and large corporations to “go Green;” creation of open space; pushing

back live stock from streams, enforcing sustainable farming methods that restrict energy and water use in farming

practices; and much more. It all leads to higher costs and shortages, in the name of environmental protection and

conservation and controlling growth (anti-sprawl, they call it).

� <RXU�JRDO�LV�WR�VWRS�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�LQ�\RXU�FRPPXQLW\��7KDW�PHDQV�D�FDPSDLJQ�WR�VWRS�WKH�FUHDWLRQ�RI�QRQ�HOHFWHG�UHJLRQDO�JRYHUQPHQW�FRXQFLOV�WKDW�DUH�GLɝFXOW�WR�KROG�DFFRXQWDEOH��ΖW�PHDQV�WR�VWRS�ORFDO�governments from taking state and federal grants that come with massive strings attached to enforce compliance.

And it means you must succeed in removing outsider organizations and Stakeholder groups that are pressuring

\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�WR�GR�WKHLU�ELGGLQJ�

Civic Action:

Armed with as much information as you can gather (and armed with the ability to coherently discuss its de-

tails) you are ready to take your battle to the public. First, it would be better for you to try to discuss it privately with

VRPH�RI�\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV��HVSHFLDOO\�LI�\RX�NQRZ�WKHP��7HOO�WKHP�ZKDW�\RX�KDYH�IRXQG�DQG�H[SODLQ�ZK\�\RX�DUH�RSSRVHG��)LUVW�GLVFXVV�WKH�HHFWV�RI�WKH�SROLFLHV�RQ�WKH�DYHUDJH�FLWL]HQ��([SODLQ�ZK\�WKH\�DUH�EDG��2QO\�YHU\�VORZO\�VKRXOG�\RX�EULQJ�WKH�FRQYHUVDWLRQ�DURXQG�WR�WKH�RULJLQ�RI�VXFK�SROLFHV��$JHQGD��DQG�WKH�81��'RQȇW�VWDUW�WKHUH��ΖW�is important that you build the case to show that these policies are not local, but part of a national and international

agenda. If this conversation does not go well (and it probably won’t) then you have to take it to the next level – to

the public.

Begin a two fold campaign. First, write a series of letters to the editor for the local newspaper. Make sure

that you are not alone. Coordinate your letters with others who will also write letters to back up and support what

you have written. These will generate more letters from others, some for your position and other against you. Be

prepared to answer those against you as they are probably written by those “Stakeholders” who are implementing

WKH�SROLFLHV�LQ�WKH�ȴUVW�SODFH��7KLV�PD\�EH�D�XVHIXO�SODFH�IRU�\RX�WR�XVH�ZKDW�\RXȇYH�OHDUQHG�DERXW�WKHVH�JURXSV�WR�discredit them.

Second, begin to attend Council meetings and ask questions. The response from the council members will

determine your next move. If you are ignored and your questions met with silence or hostility, prepare a news

release detailing your questions and the background you have as to why you asked those questions. Pass the news

release out to the people at the next meeting as well as the news media. Attend the next meeting and the next

demanding answers. Be sure to organize people to come with you. Don’t try this alone. If necessary, have demon-

VWUDWRUV�RXWVLGH�FLW\�KDOO�FDUU\LQJ�VLJQV�RU�KDQGLQJ�RXW�ȵ\HUV�ZLWK�WKH�QDPH�DQG�SLFWXUH�RI�WKH�RɝFLDOV�ZKR�ZRQȇW�answer your questions along with the question you asked – including the details you have about the policy.

The point in all of this is to make the issue public. Take away their ability to hide the details from the public.

Expose the hoards of outsiders who are dictating policy in your community. Force the people you elected to deal

ZLWK�<28�Ȃ�QRW�WKH�DUP\�RI�VHOI�DSSRLQWHG�ȊVWDNHKROGHUVȋ�DQG�JRYHUQPHQW�RɝFLDOV��6KLQH�D�YHU\�ULJKW�VSRWOLJKW�RQ�the roaches under the rock.

� ΖI�WKH�QHZVSDSHU�LV�ZLWK�\RX��JUHDW��EXW�\RX�ZLOO�SUREDEO\�ȴQG�LW�ZRUNLQJ�ZLWK�WKH�RWKHU�VLGH��ΖW�PD\�EH�GLɝ-

cult to get a fair shake in the newspaper or on radio. That’s why you deliver your news releases to both the media

DQG�WKH�SXEOLF��*HW�VLJQV��DQG�ȵ\HUV�LQ�VWRUHV�LI�QHFHVVDU\��$QG�NHHS�LW�XS�IRU�DV�ORQJ�DV�LW�WDNHV��'RQȇW�VWRS�WKH�SXE-

lic demonstration until you had acquired victory, or at least started a public debate.

� 7R�UHDOO\�VWLU�XS�WKH�ORFDO�SRSXODWLRQ�LW�LV�LQYDOXDEOH�WR�RUJDQL]H�D�GRRU�WR�GRRU�FDPSDLJQ��'HVLJQ�D�ȵ\HU�WKDW�gives graphic detail of what the policy being implemented from local governmetn will do to the communmity and

everyone in it. Tell about the hidden NGO/Stakeholder groups and the money and power they hold over your elect-

HG�RɝFOLDV��0DNH�WKH�1*2V�WKH�WDUJHW��

� 7KH�ȴQDO�VWHS�LV�WR�XVH�WKH�HQHUJ\�\RX�KDYH�FUHDWHG�WR�UXQ�FDQGLGDWHV�IRU�RɝFH�DJDLQVW�WKRVH�ZKR�KDYH�LJQRUHG�DQG�IRXJKW�\RX��8OWLPDWHO\��WKDW�LV�WKH�RɝFH�KROGHUV�ZRUVW�QLJKWPDUH�DQG�PD\�EH�WKH�PRVW�HHFWLYH�ZD\�WR�get them to respond and serve their constituents.

&RPPRQ�FLYLF�DFWLRQV�QHHGHG�WR�RUJDQL]H�DQ�HHFWLYH�FDPSDLJQ�DJDVLQW�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�


• 3UHSDUH�ȵ\HUV�GHWDLOLQJ�WKH�LVVXH�DQG�GLVWULEXWUH�WKHP�GRRU�WR�GRRU�• Create petitions against the policy and gather signatures at public gatherings like the county fair, on downtown

street corners and door to door.

• ΖVVXH�UHJXODU�QHZV�UHOHDVHV�GHWDLOLQJ�WKH�ODWHVW�GHYHORSPHQWV�LQ�WKH�ȴJKW�• Regularly attend Council and Commission meetings and speak out. Don’t let the issue die. Attend all public

meetings, planning meetings, any that deal with policy. Be prepared to counter profesional facilatators who

attempt to marginalize you.

• Write regular letters to the editor. Organize a team to write new letters and respond to those who write oppos-

ing letters. Keep the debatge alive. Defend your fellow activists.

• 8VH�6RFLDO�0HGLD�WR�JHW�WKH�VWRU\�RXW��5HFRUG�YLGHR�PHVVDJHV�WR�WHOO�\RXU�VLGH��9LGHR�UHFRUG�SXEOLF�PHHWLQJV�DQG�post it.

• ([SRVH�WKH�1*2V�DQG�6WDNHKROGHU�JURXSV��ZKHUH�KDYH�WKH�RSHUDWHG�EHIRUH��ZKR�IXQGV�WKHP��ZKR�LV�RQ�WKHLU�board; where are they headquartered if not local.

• &UHDWH�EXPSHUVWLFNHUV��\DUG�VLJQV��WHH�VKLUWV�DQG�ȵ\HUV�WR�FUHDWH�WKH�DWPRVSKHUH�RI�D�FDPSDLJQ�• %HJLQ�WR�RUJDQL]H�SUHFLQFWV�E\�ȴQGLQJ�DFWLYLWV�LQ�HDFK�RQH�ZLOOLQJ�WR�NQ�RFN�RQ�GRRUV�DQG�GLVWULEXWH�OLWHUDWXUH��• 3UHSDUH�IRU�DQ�HOHFWLRQ�FDPSDLJQ�WR�UHPRYH�RHQGLQJ�RɝFLDOV�IURP�RɝFH��• Start a local online newspaper to counter the local newsmedia if they wont tell your side.

• )RUP�DQ�RɝFLDO�RUJDQL]DWLRQ��VXFK�DV�D�EXVLQHVV�RU�SURSHUW\�RZQHUV�DVVRFLDWLRQ��WR�UHSUHVHQW�\RX�LQ�SXEOLF�meetings and in the news media. In some cases, the local farm bureau is working for the other side. So is the

Chamber of Commerce. Organizing new groups can have a major impact on the public to show how these ex-

tablished institutions are not representing the citizens.

New tactic

As mentioned in the beginning, over the past couple of years, as we’ve educated people on Agenda 21 and

LWV�81�RULJLQV��WKH�QDWXUDO�UHDFWLRQ�E\�FRQFHUQHG�FLWL]HQV�DQG�DFWLYLVWV�KDV�EHHQ�WR�UXVK�LQWR�FLW\�KDOO�DQG�DFFXVH�their elected representatives of implementing international policies on the town. This has, of course, been met with

VNHSWLFLVP�DQG�ULGLFXOH�RQ�WKH�SDUW�RI�VRPH�RI�WKH�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV��HJJHG�RQ�E\�WKH�1*2�VWDNHKROGHU�JURXSV�DQG�planning organizations). Today, the promoters of Agenda 21, including ICLEI and the American Planning Association

(APA) have worked overtime to paint our movement as crazed conspiracy theorists wearing tin foil hats and hearing

voices.


� +HUH�LV�DQ�XQGHQLDEOH�IDFW��$JHQGD��6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�FDQQRW�EH�HQIRUFHG�ZLWKRXW�XVXUSLQJ�RU�GLPLQLVKLQJ�SULYDWH�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV��6R��ZH�QHHG�WR�EHJLQ�WR�FKDOOHQJH�WKH�SODQV�WKDW�DHFW�SULYDWH�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV�� +RZHYHU��DV�ZH�PRYH�LQ�WKDW�GLUHFWLRQ��ZH�PXVW�KDYH�D�FOHDU�XQGHUVWDQGLQJ�RI�ZKDW�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV�DUH��0DQ\�people today have little or varying ideas of property rights. Forty years ago people understood things like “No Tres-

SDVVLQJ�ȋ�Ȋ0\�KRPH�LV�P\�FDVWOH�ȋ�DQG�ȊVWHS�DFURVV�WKDW�OLQH�DQG�VXHU�WKH�FRQVHTXHQFHV�ȋ�6XFK�LGHDV�WRGD\�VHHP�quaint and antiquated to many, especially with government invading private property at will. Sometimes, in order

to purchase property or to get access to services, we sign documents that say government or utility agents are free

WR�FRPH�RQ�RXU�SURSHUW\�DW�ZLOO��7KH�LGHD�RI�Ȋ.HHS�2XWȋ�LV�DOPRVW�XQKHDUG�RI��+RZHYHU��WR�GHPDQG�WKDW�\RXU�SULYDWH�SURSHUW\�EH�KRQRUHG�DQG�SURWHFWHG�D�GHȴQLWLRQ�PXVW�EH�HVWDEOLVKHG�EHIRUH�\RX�VWDUW�WKH�HRUW�

� $WWDFKHG�EHORZ�LV�D�GRFXPHQW�GHVLJQHG�WR�SURYLGH�VXFK�D�GHȴQLWLRQ�DQG�XQGHUVWDQGLQJ�RI�ZKDW�ZH�PHDQ�E\�SULYDWH�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV��ΖW�LV�EDVHG�RQ�WKH�LGHDV�RI�-RKQ�/RFNH��WKH�PDQ�ZKR�JUHDWO\�LQȵXHQFHG�RXU�)RXQGLQJ�)DWKHUV�LQFOXGLQJ�7KRPDV�-HHUVRQ��6R�XVLQJ�VXFK�GHȴQLWLRQV�VKRXOG�ȴW�LQ�ZLWK�WKH�)RXQGHUȇV�LQWHQW�DV�WKH�QDWLRQȇV�ODZV�RQ�property were written.

� 6HFRQG��RQFH�WKDW�GHȴQLWLRQ�KDV�EHHQ�HVWDEOLVKHG�LW�FDQ�EH�XVHG�DV�D�JXLGHOLQH�IRU�GUDIWLQJ�OHJLVODWLRQ�DQG�resolutions in state legislatures and city hall. It must also be the guideline for the establishment of property rights

councils.

� 7KLUG��SOHDVH�ȴQG�WZR�PRUH�GRFXPHQWV��RQH�HQWLWOHG�Ȋ5HVROXWLRQ�WR�3URWHFW�&LWL]HQȇV�3URSHUW\�5LJKWV�ȋ�WKH�RWKHU�Ȋ3ODQQHUȇV�3OHGJH�WR�8SKROG�DQG�3URWHFW�&LWL]HQȇV�3URSHUW\�5LJKWV�ȋ�7KHVH�GRFXPHQWV�DUH�JXLGHOLQHV��&KDQJH�WKHP�WR�ȴW�\RXU�QHHGV��Ζ�GR�QRW�SUHVHQW�WKHVH�5HVROXWLRQV�DV�OHJDO�GRFXPHQWV�VXFK�DV�D�FRQWUDFW��WKRXJK�VRPH�WU\�


to turn them into that. If that is your plan, go ahead and make it so. But we see them as a statement, a way to draw

RXW�\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�

The Resolution is for signatures by your elected representatives. The other is to present to your elected rep-

UHVHQWDWLYHV�WR�DVN�WKHP�WR�KDYH�WKH�SODQQHUV�WKDW�WKH\�KLUH�VLJQ�LW��8VH�HLWKHU�RU�ERWK�DV�\RX�ZLVK��7KH�5HVROXWLRQ�DXWRPDWLFDOO\�FUHDWHV�D�IULFWLRQ�ZLWK�WKH�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV��ΖI�\RX�KDYH�D�VWURQJ��SRVLWLYH�UHODWLRQVKLS�ZLWK�WKHP�\RX�may not want to force it on them. Then you would want to politely present the Planners Pledge to ask them to have

the planners sign it. Or you may want to present both and demand that both entities sign their respective docu-

ments.

� +HUHȇV�KRZ�\RX�XVH�WKHVH�QHZ�WRROV��$V�\RX�VWDQG�LQ�IURQW�RI�WKH�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�DW�WKHLU�UHJXODU�PHHWLQJ��ask them simply, “As you bring these planners into our community and begin to implement their programs, what

guarantees do I have that you will protect my private property rights?” At this point you haven’t mentioned Agenda

��DQG�\RX�KDYHQȇW�DWWDFNHG�SODQQLQJ��<RX�DUH�VLPSO\�DVNLQJ�D�QRQ�FRPEDWLYH�TXHVWLRQ��7KH\�ZLOO�DVVXUH�\RX�WKDW�they are in full support of protecting private property.

And then you say, “Well, I’m happy to hear that. But, I would really like to have that in writing.” And you pres-

ent the resolution to them. If you can read it aloud to the meeting, so much the better. They may say they need to

take it under consideration and will get back to you. Fine. Make sure you are back at the next meeting to ask about

it. If they say “No,” then you must ask the most radical question in the English language -- “Why?” Their answer will

set the stage for your next actions.

Please keep in mind – the Resolutions are NOT legal documents or contracts. What you are really doing is

WDNLQJ�D�SROO�RI�\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOVȇ�PRUDOLW\��:KHUH�GR�WKH\�VWDQG�RQ�WKH�PRVW�IXQGDPHQWDO�ULJKW�RI�KXPDQ�H[LV-

tence – ownership and control of private property. Their answer will tell you what you have to do next – eliminate

WKHP�IURP�RɝFH��7KHLU�UHIXVDO�WR�VLJQ�\RXU�UHVROXWLRQ�LV�WKH�NLFN�R�IRU�WKH�FDPSDLJQ�WR�UHPRYH�WKHP�IURP�RɝFH��

� 'R�QRW�DWWHPSW�WKLV�DORQH��7KH�NH\�WR�WKLV�HRUW�LV�SHUVLVWHQFH�DQG�RUJDQL]DWLRQ��ΖI�WKH\�KDYH�UHIXVHG�WR�VLJQ�LW�WKHQ�\RX�QHHG��RU��SHRSOH�WR�VWDQG�XS�DQG�DVN�ZK\��<RX�QHHG�WR�HVFDODWH�WKLV�DW�HDFK�PHHWLQJ�XQWLO�LW�EHFRPHV�D�SXEOLF�LVVXH��Ȋ:K\�ZRQȇW�\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�VLJQ�D�VLPSOH�GRFXPHQW�WKDW�VD\V�WKH\�ZLOO�SURWHFW�\RXU�SULYDWH�property rights? What are they hiding in the plans they are presenting to us?” This can and will lead to protests,

OHWWHUV�WR�WKH�HGLWRU�DQG�RWKHU�PHGLD�DYDLODEOH�WR�\RX��3XW�WKH�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOVȇ�QDPHV�RQ�VLJQV�FDUULHG�E\�SURWHVWRUV�who are rallying outside the next council or planning meeting. Make them the issue. As I said, the whole purpose of

WKLV�HRUW�LV�WR�OD\�WKH�JURXQG�ZRUN�IRU�D�FDPSDLJQ�WR�GHIHDW�WKHP�LQ�WKH�QH[W�HOHFWLRQ��

It is also important to do research into what planning groups, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s)

federal grants and agencies may be involved in the process. All of them have a background. Find out who they are

and what they have done in the past in other communities and present that info to your fellow citizens as a warning

of what is to come. I recommend that you create a “rapid response team” to be prepared to immediately respond in

the media to anything they do. Make them scared to act.

If is important to understand that those NGO groups are, in reality, a shadow government, funning your city behind

WKH�VFHQHV�Ȃ�KLGLQJ�EHKLQG�\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�ZKR�HYHQWXDOO\�EHFRPH�OLWWOH�PRUH�WKDQ�D�UXEEHU�VWDPS�IRU�WKHLU�SROLFLHV��:K\�GR�WKH�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�DOORZ�WKLV"�%HFDXVH�WKH�1*2�JURXSV�Ȃ�WKHVH�VHOI�SURFODLPHG�ȊVWDNHKROGHUVȋ�SURYLGH�\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�ZLWK�PRQH\�IRU�UHHOHFWLRQ�FDPSDLJQV��PDQ�SRZHU�WR�UXQ�WKH�FDPSDLJQV��DQG�DOO�WKH�tools necessary to stay in power. They also provide ready made legislation, grant funding and the ability to build

SRZHU�DQG�ZHDOWK�IRU�WKH�RɝFLDOV��

� %XW�KHUH�LV�D�VHFUHW�\RX�PXVW�NQRZ��WKHVH�1*2�6WDNHKROGHU�JURXSV�ZRXOG�KDYH�12�SRZHU�LI�\RX�HOHFWHG�new representatives who understood their danger and refused to give them that power. The NGOs would simply

GU\�XS�DQG�EORZ�DZD\�LI�QR�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDO�ZRXOG�OLVWHQ�WR�WKHP��<RXU�WDVN�LV�WR�UHSODFH�WKHVH�FRUUXSW�RɝFLDOV�DQG�elect those who will pull the plug on the shadow government.

Fighting ICLEI

� ΖI�Ζ&/(Ζ�LV�LQ�\RXU�FLW\��WKH�GHWDLOV�DERXW�$JHQGD��DQG�WKH�81�FRQQHFWLRQ�LV�HDVLHU��<RXU�FRPPXQLW\�LV�SD\-

LQJ�WKHP�GXHV�ZLWK�\RXU�WD[�GROODUV��+HUH�LV�KRZ�WR�KDQGOH�WKHP��LI�\RXU�FRXQFLO�GHULGHV�\RXU�VWDWHPHQWV�WKDW�WKHLU�SROLFLHV�FRPH�IURP�WKH�81V�$JHQGD��VLPSO\�SULQW�RXW�WKH�KRPH�SDJH�IURP�Ζ&/(ΖȇV�ZHE�VLWH�Ȃ�ZZZ�LFOLH�RUJ��7KLV�


ZLOO�KDYH�DOO�RI�WKH�81�FRQQHFWLRQV�\RXȇYH�EHHQ�WDONLQJ�DERXW��LQ�Ζ&/Ζ(ȇV�RZQ�ZRUGV��3DVV�RXW�WKH�ZHE�SDJH�FRSLHV�WR�HYHU\RQH�LQ�WKH�FKDPEHU�DXGLHQFH�DQG�VD\�WR�\RXU�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV��ȊGRQȇW�FDOO�PH�D�UDGLFDO�VLPSO\�IRU�UHSRUWLQJ�what ICLEI openly admits on its own web site. I’m just the one pointing it out – you are the ones who are paying our

WD[�GROODUV�WR�WKHP�ȋ7KHQGHPDQGWKDWWKRVH�SD\PHQW�VWRS��<RX�KDYH�SURYHQ�\RXU�FDVH�

Stopping Consensus Meetings

Most public meetings are now run by trained and highly paid facilitators whose jobs is to control the meet-

ing and bring it to a preplanned conclusion. If he is good at his job, the facilitator can actually make the audience

think the “consensus” they have reached on and issue or proposal is actually their idea. This is how Sustainable De-

velopment is being implemented across the nation, especially in meetings or planning boards that are advertised as

open to the public. They really don’t want you there and the tactic is used to move forward in full view of the public

without them knowing what is happening. There is nothing free or open about the consensus process. It is designed

to eliminate debate and close discussion.

To bust up the process you must never participate, even to answer a question. To do so allows the facilita-

WRU�WR�PDNH�\RX�SDUW�RI�WKH�SURFHVV��ΖQVWHDG��\RX�PXVW�FRQWURO�WKH�GLVFXVVLRQ��+HUH�LV�D�TXLFN�VXJJHVWLRQ�RQ�KRZ�WR�IRXO�XS�WKH�ZRUNV��1HYHU�JR�DORQH�WR�VXFK�D�PHHWLQJ��<RX�ZLOO�QHHG�DW�OHDVW�WKUHH�SHRSOH�Ȃ�WKH�PRUH�WKH�EHWWHU��'R�not sit together. Instead, fan out in the room in a triangle formation. Know ahead of time the questions you want to

DVN��:KR�LV�WKH�IDFLOLWDWRU"�:KDW�LV�KLV�DVVRFLDWLRQ�ZLWK�WKH�RUJDQL]HUV"�ΖV�KH�EHLQJ�SDLG"�:KHUH�GLG�WKHVH�SURJUDPV��EHLQJ�SURSRVHG��FRPH�IURP"�+RZ�DUH�WKH\�WR�EH�IXQGHG"

� 2QH�TXHVWLRQ�WR�DVN�RYHU�DQG�RYHU�DJDLQ��ERWK�DW�IDFLOLWDWHG�PHHWLQJV�DQG�FLW\�FRXQFLO�PHHWLQJV��LV�WKLV��Ȋ:LWK�the implementation of this policy, tell me a single right or action I have on my property that doesn’t require your ap-

SURYDO�RU�LQYROYHPHQW��:KDW�DUH�P\�ULJKWV�DV�D�SURSHUW\�RZQHU"ȋ�0DNH�WKHP�QDPH�LW��<RX�ZLOO�TXLFNO\�VHH�WKDW�WKH\�too understand there are no property rights left in America.

By asking these questions you are putting his legitimacy in question, building suspicion among the rest

RI�WKH�DXGLHQFH��GHVWUR\LQJ�KLV�DXWKRULW\��+H�ZLOO�WU\�WR�FRXQWHU��HLWKHU�E\�SDWURQL]LQJ�DQG�KXPRULQJ�\RX��DW�ȴUVW��or, then becoming hostile, moving to have you removed as a disruptive force. That’s where the rest of your group

comes in. They need to back you up, demand answers to your questions. If you have enough people in the room

you can cause a major disruption, making it impossible for the facilitator to move forward with his agenda. Do not

walk out and leave the room to him. Stay to the end and make him shut down the meeting.

In conclusion...

� 7KHVH�VXJJHVWLRQV�RQ�KRZ�WR�ȴJKW�EDFN�DUH��DGPLWWHGO\��YHU\�EDVLF�DQG�HOHPHQWDU\��7KH\�DUH�PHDQW�RQO\�WR�EH�D�JXLGHOLQH��<RX�ZLOO�KDYH�WR�GR�\RXU�KRPHZRUN�DQG�DGDSW�WKHVH�WDFWLFV�WR�\RXU�ORFDO�VLWXDWLRQ��7KHVH�WDFWLFV�DUH�designed to create controversy and debate to force the Agenda 21 issue out of the secret meetings and into public

debate where they belong. Many of these same tactics can be used at all levels of government, right up and into the

VWDWH�OHJLVODWXUH��2XU�SODQ�LV�WR�GHPDQG�DQVZHUV�IURP�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�ZKR�ZDQW�WR�LJQRUH�XV��7KH\�PXVW�EH�WDXJKW�that such actions have consequences.

As we learn new, successful tactics, I’ll share them with activists across the nation. The exciting news is that,

ȴQDOO\��$PHULFDQV�DUH�EHJLQQLQJ�WR�XQGHUVWDQG�WKDW�$JHQGD��LV�GHVWUR\LQJ�RXU�QDWLRQ�DQG�WKH\�DUH�EHJLQQLQJ�WR�ȴJKW�EDFN��7KH�EDWWOH�WR�VWRS�WKH�81ȇV�$JHQGD��LV�UDJJLQJ�RQ�WKH�ORFDO�OHYHO�DFURVV�WKH�QDWLRQ�


THE DOCUMENTS

3ULYDWH�3URSHUW\�5LJKWV�'HƬQHG([SHUWV�KDYH�OHIW�D�FOHDU�XQGHUVWDQGLQJ�RI�ZKDW�SURSHUW\�PHDQV�

Ȋ3URSHUW\�LV�GHȴQHG�E\��:DVKLQJWRQ��VWDWH�ODZ��%RDUG�RI�5HJHQWV�Y��5RWK��8�6��6��&W��/��(G��G��2XU�VWDWH��DQG�PRVW�RWKHU�VWDWHV��GHȴQH�SURSHUW\�LQ�DQ�H[WUHPHO\�EURDG�VHQVH�ȋ- From “Fifth Amendment” treatise by State Supreme Court Justice Richard B. Sanders (12/10/97)

“Property in a thing consists not merely in its ownership and possession, but in the unrestricted right of use, enjoy-

ment, and disposal. Anything which destroys any of the elements of property, to that extent, destroys the property

itself. The substantial value of property lies in its use. If the right of use be denied, the value of the property is anni-

hilated and ownership is rendered a barren right.”

“The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not

a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”

- President, John Adams

Ȋ8OWLPDWHO\��SURSHUW\�ULJKWV�DQG�SHUVRQDO�ULJKWV�DUH�WKH�VDPH�WKLQJ�ȋ

- President Calvin Coolidge

“If you don’t have the right to own and control property then you are property.

��:D\QH�+DJH��UDQFKHU

Private Property Rights means:

• The owner’s exclusive authority to determine how private property is used;

• The owner’s peaceful possession, control, and enjoyment of his/her legally purchased, deeded private property;

• The owner’s ability to make contracts to sell, rent, or give away all or part of the legally purchased/deeded pri-

vate property;

• That local, city, county, state, and federal governments are prohibited from exercising eminent domain for the

sole purpose of acquiring legally purchased/deeded private property so as to resell to a private interest or gen-

erate revenues;

• That no local, city, county, state, or federal government has the authority to impose directives, ordinances, fees,

RU��ȴQHV��UHJDUGLQJ��DHVWKHWLF��ODQGVFDSLQJ��FRORU��VHOHFWLRQV��WUHH��DQG��SODQW�SUHVHUYDWLRQ��RU�RSHQ�VSDFHV�RQ�legally purchased/deeded private property;

• That no local, city, county, state or federal government shall implement a land use plan that requires any part of

legally purchased/deeded private property be set aside for public use or for a Natural Resource Protection Area

directing that no construction or disturbance may occur;

• That no local, city, county, state, or federal government shall implement a law or ordinance restricting the num-

ber of dwellings that may be placed on legally purchased/deeded private property;

• That no local, city, county, state, or federal government shall alter or impose zoning restrictions or regulations

that will devalue or limit the ability to sell legally purchased/deeded private property;

• 7KDW�QR�ORFDO��FLW\��FRXQW\��VWDWH��RU�IHGHUDO�JRYHUQPHQW�VKDOO�OLPLW�SURȴWDEOH�RU�SURGXFWLYH�DJULFXOWXUH�DFWLYLWLHV�by mandating and controlling what crops and livestock are grown on legally purchased/deeded private proper-

ty;

• That no local, city, county, state, or federal government representatives or their assigned agents may enter

private property without the written permission of the property owner or is in possession of a lawful warrant

from a legitimate court of law. This includes invasion of property rights and privacy by government use of

XQPDQQHG�GURQH�ȵLJKWV�


Protecting Your Property RightsWhile there are many forms of property, for the purposes of this brief pamphlet, we are only going to discuss real

estate property, the value, how easy it is to lose them and how to protect your property rights. This is only a guide.

Always consult your real estate attorney before taking any action that may risk your property rights.

What is meant by my real estate property?When you own a home your property consists of the land agreed to in your purchase, the natural resources, miner-

als, crops, water and any buildings on your land.

What are my property rights?<RX�KDYH�WKH�ULJKW�WR�VHOO��WUDQVIHU��OHDVH��DQG�GHYHORS�\RXU�SURSHUW\��)RU�LQVWDQFH��\RX�FDQ�EXLOG�D�VZLQJ�VHW��UH-

move a tree or build a swimming pool. The freedom to make these changes increases your land’s value to you and

to buyers.

Who protects my property rights?7KHUH�DUH�ODZV�WKDW�SURWHFW�WKHVH�ULJKWV�DQG�SUHYHQW�RWKHUV�IURP�FRQȴVFDWLQJ�RU�XVLQJ�\RXU�SURSHUW\�ZLWKRXW�\RXU�H[SUHVV�SHUPLVVLRQ��7KH�86�&RQVWLWXWLRQ�SURWHFWV�\RXU�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV�LQ�WKH��WK�DPHQGPHQW�

Why are my real estate property rights so important?Real estate ownership is the main way Americans save money and accumulate wealth. They use real estate to im-

SURYH�WKHLU�OLYHV��VWDUW�EXVLQHVVHV��DQG�OHDYH�PRQH\�WR�WKHLU�FKLOGUHQ��+RPHRZQHUV�WHQG�WR�SURWHFW�WKHLU�VXUURXQG-

ing environment and build more stability for their own future. When people lose all or part of their property rights,

they often lose their greatest source of wealth and well-being.

How are my property rights lost or reduced?<RX�FDQ�ZLOOLQJO\�JLYH�WKHP�DZD\�RU�JRYHUQPHQWV�KDYH�EHJXQ�WR�UHGXFH�RU�WDNH�WKHP�DZD\�

How do I willingly give away my property rights?• Donate or will your land to another person or trust.

• Sign a conservation easement agreeing to surrender your development rights in turn for cash or tax breaks.

How can governments reduce or remove my property rights?

Eminent domain:The state can seize your private property without your consent to create public facilities, highways, and railroads

DQG�IRU�WKH�SXUSRVH�RI�HFRQRPLF�GHYHORSPHQW�RU�UHYHQXH�HQKDQFHPHQW��<RX�DUH�HQWLWOHG�WR�FRPSHQVDWLRQ��EXW�WKH�agency acquiring your property calculates the payment, which is often inadequate.

Government regulations:*RYHUQPHQWV�WKURXJK�IHGHUDO�DJHQFLHV�LQFOXGLQJ�WKH�(3$�DQG�+8'�LPSRVH�UHJXODWLRQV�WKURXJK�WKH�&OHDQ�:DWHUAct, Endangered Species Act and many others that limit or erase your property rights.

State regulations:States create urban growth boundaries and increase the cost of services beyond those boundaries to force growth

into smaller more densely populated areas . This makes your rural property less valuable and more expensive to

maintain, diminishing your wealth.

Local planning:Local zoning ordinances can infringe upon your property rights and increase the costs of ownership rendering your

property less desirable and therefore less valuable when you go to sell it or borrow money against it.

Conservation easements:Some farmers sell the development rights to their property to a government agency or land trust in exchange for

FDVK�RU�WD[�EHQHȴWV��7KHVH�DUH�FDOOHG�ȆFRQVHUYDWLRQ�HDVHPHQWV�ȇ�:KLOH�WKH\�DSSHDU�JRRG�DW�ȴUVW��WKH�ODQGRZQHU�EH-

FRPHV�VXEVHUYLHQW�WR�WKH�WUXVW��PXVW�REH\�VKLIWLQJ�UHJXODWLRQV��DQG�HQKDQFHG�ȆEHVW�SUDFWLFHVȇ�PDQGDWHG�E\�WKH�QHZ�


development rights’ holder. Often these practices become too costly, forcing the landowner to sell their property,

RIWHQ�WR�WKH�VDPH�DJHQF\�RU�ODQG�WUXVW�WKDW�SXUFKDVHG�WKH�FRQVHUYDWLRQ�HDVHPHQW�LQ�WKH�ȴUVW�SODFH�

Federal grant money::KLOH�JUDQW�PRQH\�IURP�WKH�(3$��+8'�DQG�'27�FDQ�EH�HQWLFLQJ��LW�IUHTXHQWO\�FRPHV�ZLWK�VWULQJV�DWWDFKHG�WKDWmandate how the money will be used and, in turn, how it can control your community and your property.

Regionalization:5HJLRQDOL]DWLRQ�UROOV�XS�\RXU�FRPPXQLW\�LQWR�D�ODUJHU�UHJLRQDO�SODQQLQJ�DUHD�WKDW�VKULQNV�\RXU�LQȵXHQFH�RYHU�ZKDWUHJXODWLRQV�DUH�SDVVHG�DQG�UHGXFHV�WKH�DXWKRULW\�RI�ORFDO�SXEOLF�RɝFLDOV�WR�DFW�RQ�\RXU�EHKDOI�WR�SURWHFW�\RXU�SURS-

erty rights.

Does this mean all planning and zoning regulations are bad?1R��ΖW�PHDQV�PDQ\�SODQV�FRQWDLQ�UHJXODWLRQV�WKDW�FDQ�EH�GDPDJLQJ�WR�\RXU�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV��$OVR��VRPH�RɝFLDOV�agree to regional, rather than local planning. Good planning does not have to mean the loss of property rights.

• +RZ�FDQ�Ζ�SURWHFW�P\�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV�IURP�SRRU�SODQQLQJ�DQG�UHJLRQDOL]DWLRQ"

• 8QGHUVWDQG�WKDW�PRVW�RɝFLDOV�GR�QRW�ZDQW�WR�VWHDO�\RXU�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV��ΖQ�WKH�]HDO�WR�JR�ȆVXVWDLQDEOHȇ��PDQ\�SHRSOH�ORRN�DW�WKH�HQYLURQPHQW��WKH�UHJLRQ�DQG�WKH�JOREH�ȴUVW�DQG�\RXU�SURSHUW\�ULJKWV�ODVW�

• 8QGHUVWDQG�WKDW�\RXU�EHVW�IULHQGV�LQ�WKH�PRYHPHQW�WR�SURWHFW�\RXU�ULJKWV�DUH�\RXU�IDPLO\��\RXU�QHLJKERUV�DQG�\RXU�ORFDO�SXEOLF�RɝFLDOV��$WWHQG�DOO�SODQQLQJ�PHHWLQJV��FDUHIXOO\�UHDG�DOO�SURSRVDOV��OHDUQ�DERXW�WKH�SLWIDOOV�RI�]RQLQJ�DQG�WDNH�WKH�WLPH�WR�JHW�WR�SHUVRQDOO\�NQRZ�\RXU�RɝFLDOV��7HOO�WKHP�\RXU�FRQFHUQV�

• ΖI�UHJLRQDOL]DWLRQ�LV�SURSRVHG��UHDG�DOO�LQIRUPDWLRQ�DQG�ȴQG�RXW�ZKDW�KDSSHQV�WR�ORFDO�DXWKRULW\�RQFH�WKH�UHJLRQ�is formed. Check how many unelected bureaucrats become the real decision-makers. Regardless of the color-

ful sales bulletins and friendly environmental talk, regional planning trumps the rights of local citizens. Local

rule is the only way to protect personal property rights.

• Recognize that planners, even those from federal agencies, are in your community to sell a plan. They will

present vivid before and after pictures of your community that will compel you to want to act right away. Don’t.

If the plan is that good, it will wait. Most plans end up looking very similar. While nearly all planners talk about

public agreement, the reality is 97-99% of citizens are never involved in the planning process. Their property

ULJKWV�DUH�VWLOO�DHFWHG�

• Most importantly, insist that any planners working for your community must sign an agreement committing

them to protect your property rights during the planning process. In the event there are infringements on your

SURSHUW\�ULJKWV��WKH\�PXVW�LQIRUP�\RX�DQG�RHU�\RX�WKH�RSSRUWXQLW\�WR�RSW�RXW�

• Finally, if you are not sure how to interpret a document or if you think your rights are at risk, contact us at info@

sustainablefreedomlab.com. We will have someone contact you. Never vote in favor of a plan you do not fully

understand.

Property rights are one of your most important assets. We hope this guide helps you protect yours. For a more de-

tailed explanation and examples, go to sustainablefreedomlab.com.


New, updated version!

Agenda 21 In One Easy Lesson

Awareness of Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development is racing across the nation as citizens in community

after community are learning what their city planners are actually up to. As awareness grows, I am receiving more

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asked.

So here it is. A one page, quick description of Agenda 21 that “ts on one page. I’ve also included for the back

side of your hand out a list of quotes for the perpetrators of Agenda 21 that should back up my brief descriptions.

A word of caution, use this as a starter kit, but do not allow it to be your only knowledge of this very com-

plex subject. To kill it you have to know the facts. Research, know your details; discover the NGO players in your

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What is Sustainable Development?

Some think that the planet is in danger of global warming and over consumption.

They really believe�WKDW�WKH�RQO\�ZD\�WR�ȴ[�WKH�SUREOHP�LV�WR�FRQWURO�WKH�ȵRZ�RI�UHVRXUFHV�DQG�ZHDOWK��which literally means changing human civilization and the way we live.

The problem is, this forced transformation of our society necessarily leads to a thirst for power by some

and top-down control by government – and that can eventually lead to tyranny.

According to its authors, the objective of sustainable development is to integrate economic, social and envi-

ronmental policies in order to achieve reduced consumption, social equity, and the preservation and restoration of

biodiversity. Sustainablists insist that every societal decision be

based on environmental impact, focusing on three components; global land use, global education, and global popu-

lation control and reduction.

Social Equity (Social injustice)

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tice. All part of Agenda 21 policy.

Economic Prosperity

Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Special dealings between government and certain, chosen corporations

which get tax breaks, grants and the government’s power of Eminent Domain to implement sustainable policy. Gov-

ernment-sanctioned monopolies.

Local Sustainable Development policies

Smart Growth, Wildlands Project, Resilient Cities, Regional Visioning Projects, STAR Sustainable Commu-

nities, Green jobs, Green Building Codes, “Going Green,” Alternative Energy, Local Visioning, facilitators, regional

planning, historic preservation, conservation easements, development rights, sustainable farming, comprehensive

planning, growth management, consensus.


Who is behind it?

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (formally, International Council for Local Environmental Initia-

tives). Communities pay ICLEI dues to provide “local” community plans, software, training, etc. Addition groups in-

clude American Planning Council, The Renaissance Planning Group, International City/ County Management Group,

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Where did it originate?

� 7KH�WHUP�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�ZDV�ȴUVW�LQWURGXFHG�WR�WKH�ZRUOG�LQ�WKH�SDJHV�D��UHSRUW��2XU�&RP-

PRQ�)XWXUH��SURGXFHG�E\�WKH�8QLWHG�1DWLRQV�:RUOG�&RPPLVVLRQ�RQ�(QYLURQPHQWDO�DQG�'HYHORSPHQW��DXWKRUHG�E\�*UR�+DUOHP�%UXQGWODQG��93�RI�WKH�:RUOG�6RFLDOLVW�3DUW\��7KH�WHUP�ZDV�ȴUVW�RHUHG�DV�RɝFLDO�81�SROLF\�LQ��LQ�D�GRFXPHQW�FDOOHG�81�6XVWDLQDEOH�'HYHORSPHQW�$JHQGD��LVVXHG�DW�WKH�81ȇV�(DUWK�6XPPLW��WRGD\�UHIHUUHG�WR�simply as Agenda 21.

What gives Agenda 21 Ruling Authority?

� 0RUH�WKDQ��QDWLRQV�DGRSWHG�$JHQGD��DV�RɝFLDO�SROLF\�GXULQJ�D�VLJQLQJ�FHUHPRQ\�DW�WKH�(DUWK�6XPPLW��86�SUHVLGHQW�*HRUJH�+�:��%XVK�VLJQHG�WKH�GRFXPHQW�IRU�WKH�86��ΖQ�VLJQLQJ��HDFK�QDWLRQ�SOHGJH�WR�DGRSW�WKH�JRDOV�of Agenda 21. In 1995, President Bill Clinton, in compliance with Agenda 21, signed Executive Order #12858 to cre-

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ORFDO�FRPPXQLW\�JRYHUQPHQWV�LQ�D�MRLQW�HRUW�ȊUHLQYHQWȋ�JRYHUQPHQW�XVLQJ�WKH�JXLGHOLQHV�RXWOLQHG�LQ�$JHQGD��$V�a result, with the assistance of groups like ICLEI, Sustainable Development is now emerging as government policy in

every town, county and state in the nation.

Revealing Quotes From the Planners

� Ȋ$JHQGD��SURSRVHV�DQ�DUUD\�RI�DFWLRQV�ZKLFK�DUH�LQWHQGHG�WR�EH�LPSOHPHQWHG�E\�(9(5<�SHUVRQ�RQ�(DUWKȐLW�FDOOV�IRU�VSHFLȴF�FKDQJHV�LQ�WKH�DFWLYLWLHV�RI�$//�SHRSOHȐ�(HFWLYH�H[HFXWLRQ�RI�$JHQGD��ZLOO�5(48Ζ5(�D�SURIRXQG�reorientation of ALL humans, unlike anything the world

KDV�HYHU�H[SHULHQFHGȐ�ȋ�$JHQGD��WKH�(DUWK�6XPPLW�6WUDWHJ\�WR�6DYH�2XU�3ODQHW(Earthpress, 1993).

Urgent to implement – but we don’t know what it is!

“The realities of life on our planet dictate that continued economic development as we know it cannot be

sustained…Sustainable development, therefore is a program of action for local and global economic reform – a pro-

JUDP�WKDW�KDV�\HW�WR�EH�IXOO\�GHȴQHG�ȋ�7KH�/RFDO�$JHQGD��Planning Guide, published by ICLEI, 1996.

“No one fully understands how or even, if, sustainable development can be achieved; however, there is

growing consensus that it must be accomplished at the local level if it is ever to be achieved on a global basis.” The

Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide, published by ICLEI, 1996.

Agenda 21 and Private Property

“Land…cannot be treated as an ordinary asset, controlled by individuals and subject to the pressures and in-

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“Private land use decisions are often driven by strong economic incentives that result in several ecological

and aesthetic consequences… The key to overcoming it is through public


policy…” Report from the President’s Council on Sustainable Development, page 112.

Ȋ&XUUHQW�OLIHVW\OHV�DQG�FRQVXPSWLRQ�SDWWHUQV�RI�WKH�DɞXHQW�PLGGOH�FODVV�Ȃ�LQYROYLQJ�KLJK�PHDW�LQWDNH��XVH�RI�IRVVLO�fuels, appliances, home and work air conditioning, and suburban housing are not sustainable.” Maurice Strong, Sec-

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Reinvention of Government

“We need a new collaborative decision process that leads to better decisions, more rapid change, and more

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� ȊΖQGLYLGXDO�ULJKWV�ZLOO�KDYH�WR�WDNH�D�EDFN�VHDW�WR�WKH�FROOHFWLYH�ȋ�+DUYH\�5XYLQ��9LFH�&KDLUPDQ��Ζ&/(Ζ��7KH�Wildlands Project

“We must make this place an insecure and inhospitable place for Capitalists and their projects – we must re-

claim the roads and plowed lands, halt dam construction, tear down existing dams, free shackled rivers and return

to wilderness millions of tens of millions of acres or presently settled land.” Dave Foreman, Earth First.

What is not sustainable?

Ski runs, grazing of livestock, plowing of soil, building fences, industry, single family homes, paves and tarred

roads, logging activities, dams and reservoirs, power line construction, and economic systems that fail to set proper

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Hide Agenda 21’s UN roots from the people

� Ȋ3DUWLFLSDWLQJ�LQ�D�81�DGYRFDWHG�SODQQLQJ�SURFHVV�ZRXOG�YHU\�OLNHO\�EULQJ�RXW�PDQ\�RI�WKH�FRQVSLUDF\��RUL-HQWHG�JURXSV�DQG�LQGLYLGXDOV�LQ�RXU�VRFLHW\Ȑ�7KLV�VHJPHQW�RI�RXU�VRFLHW\�ZKR�IHDU�ȆRQH�ZRUOG�JRYHUQPHQWȇ�DQG�D�81�LQYDVLRQ�RI�WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWHV�WKURXJK�ZKLFK�RXU�LQGLYLGXDO�IUHHGRP�ZRXOG�EH�VWULSSHG�DZD\�ZRXOG�DFWLYHO\�ZRUN�WR�GHIHDW�DQ\�HOHFWHG�RɝFLDOV�ZKR�MRLQHG�WKH�FRQVSLUDF\ȇ�E\�XQGHUWDNLQJ�/$��6R�ZH�FDOO�RXU�SURFHVV�VRPHWKLQJ�else, such as comprehensive planning, growth management or smart growth.” J. Gary Lawrence, advisor to Presi-

dent Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development.

New Tactics to Fight BackUsing Defense of Private Property Rights

Over the past couple of years, as we’ve educated people on Agenda 21 and its UN origins, the natural reaction by concerned citizens and activists has been to rush into city hall and accuse their elected representatives of implementing international policies on the town. This has, of course, been met with skepticism and ridicule on the part of some of the elected officials (egged on by the NGO stakeholder groups and planning organizations). Today, the promoters of Agenda 21, including ICLEI and the American Planning Association (APA) have worked overtime to paint our movement as crazed conspiracy theorists wearing tin foil hats and hearing voices.


Here is an undeniable fact: Agenda 21/Sustainable Development cannot be enforced without usurping or diminishing private property rights. So, we need to begin to challenge the plans that affect private property rights. However, as we move in that direction, we must have a clear understanding of what property rights are. Many people today have little and varying ideas of property rights. Forty years ago people understood things like “No Trespassing,” “My home is my castle,” and “step across that line and suffer the consequences.” Such ideas today seem quaint and antiquated to many, especially with government invading private property at will. Sometimes, in order to purchase property or to get access to services, we sign documents that say government or utility agents are free to come on our property at will. The idea of “Keep Out” is almost unheard of. However, to demand that your private property be honored and protected a definition must be established before you start the effort.

Attached is a document designed to provide such a definition and understanding of what we mean by private property rights. It is based on the ideas of John Locke, the man who greatly influenced our Founding Fathers including Thomas Jefferson. So using such definitions should fit in with the Founder’s intent as the nation’s laws on property were written. Second, once that definition has been established it can be used as a guideline for drafting legislation and resolutions in state legislatures and city hall.

Third, please find two more documents, one entitled “Resolution to Protect Citizen’s Property Rights,” the other “Planner’s Pledge to Uphold and Protect Citizen’s Property Rights.” These documents are guidelines. Change them to fit your needs. We do not see these Resolutions as legal documents such as a contract, though some try to turn them into one. If that is your plan, go ahead and make it so. But we see them as a statement, a way to draw out your elected officials.

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The Resolution is for signatures by your elected representatives. The other is to present to your elected representatives to ask them to have the planners that they hire sign it. Use either or both as you wish. The Resolution automatically creates a friction with the elected officials. If you have a strong, positive relationship with them you may not want to force it on them. Then you would want to politely present the “Planners Pledge” to ask them to have the planners sign it. Or you may want to present both and demand that both entities sign their respective documents.

The way to use it is this: As you stand in front of the elected officials at their regular meeting, ask them simply, " As you bring these planners into our community and begin to implement their programs, what guarantees do I have that you will protect my private property rights?" At this point you haven't mentioned Agenda 21, and you haven't attacked planning. You are simply asking a non-combative question. They will assure you that they are in full support of protecting private property. And then you say, "Well, I'm happy to hear that. But, I would really like to have that in writing." And you present the resolution to them. If you can read it aloud to the meeting, so much the better. They may say they need to take it under consideration and will get back to you. Fine. Make sure you are back at the next meeting to ask about it. If they say "No." You simply ask "Why?" and take it from there.

Do not attempt this alone. The key to this effort is persistence and organization. If they have refused to sign it then you need 5 or 10 people to stand up and ask why. You need to escalate this at each meeting until it becomes a public issue - "Why won't your elected officials sign a simple document that says they will protect your private property rights? What are they hiding in the plans they are presenting to us?" This can and will lead to protests, letters to the editor and other media available to you. Put the elected officials’ names on signs carried by protestors who are rallying outside the next council or planning meeting. Make them the issue. Lay the ground work for a campaign to defeat them in the next election. It is also important to do research into what planning groups, non-governmental organizations (NGO's) federal grants and agencies may be involved in the process. All of them have a background. Find out who they are and what they have done in the past in other communities and present that info to your fellow citizens as a warning of what is to come. I recommend that you create a "rapid response team" to be prepared to immediately respond in the media to anything they do. Make them scared to act.

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��̵��̵��I ________________ on behalf of (planning group) _________________ and myself look

forward to working together with the public officials and citizens of the community of

__________________ to assist in creating planning. We agree that planning involves the

regulation of private property rights. Further, we agree that individual property rights

constitute an asset of unique value to American citizens.

Recognizing that value, we agree that all citizen's property rights shall be placed in the highest

priority of consideration during the planning and zoning process; and,

In the event that any part of the planning and zoning process or recommendations resulting

from the process shall negatively impact any property rights of property owners, those affected

property owners shall:

a) Be provided full disclosure notifying the property owner or owners of the potential that

their private property rights may in some way be infringed; and,

b) Be provided full disclosure outlining the rights infringed upon, and,

c) Be provided an opportunity to opt-out of any rights' infringing regulation or policy.

Further, affected property owners shall be notified of the potential impairment to their rights

and their individual written approval required before engaging in any of the following:

a) Reconfiguration of zoning that intensifies or in any way adds restrictions to existing

rights,

b) Implementation of conservation easements or Trading of Development Rights,

c) Acceptance of grant money whether from non-profit organizations, federal or private

funding sources.

Signed _____________________________ Date: ____________________________

Firm: ______________________________

Witness: ___________________________ Date: ____________________________

© 2012 Sustainable Freedom Lab, LLC

(Public official)

Resolution to Protect Citizen’s Property Rights

The undersigned elected officials and/or community planners officially engaged to create planning programs for the community of ____________________________________________ do hereby agree to the following:

• That planning involves and affects regulation of private property rights. • That individual property ownership constitutes an asset of unique value, as well as the

foundation of individual liberty for American citizens. Recognizing that value, we agree that all citizen’s private property rights shall be placed in the highest priority of consideration during the planning and zoning process; and, In the event that any part of the planning and zoning process or recommendations resulting from the process shall potentially negatively impact any property rights, property owners or the value of their private property, those affected property owners shall:

a) Be provided full, timely disclosure notifying the property owner or owners of the potential that their private property rights may in some way be infringed or the value of their private property may be thereby affected, and,

b) Be provided full disclosure outlining the rights to be infringed upon, and c) Be provided an opportunity to opt-out of any rights’ infringing regulation or policy.

In the event of property loss or usage by the private land owner due to planning restrictions or zoning changes, the affected private property owner shall be fully compensated in a monetary amount equal to the fractional fair market loss of the original value of his property as a result of such zoning or other related restrictions on the fair legal use of his property. Further, affected property owners shall be notified of the potential impairment to their rights and their individual written approval required before engaging in any of the following:

a) Reconfiguration of zoning that intensifies or in any way adds restrictions to existing rights, b) Implementation of conservations easements or Trading of Development Rights, c) Acceptance of grant money by the above named government entity or their assigned

planners, whether from non-profit organizations, governmental or private funding sources. Finally, it is agreed that no government representatives or their assigned planning agents, will come on to private property for any planning purpose without the written consent of the owner. Signed: (Elected Officials) Signed: (Planning Firm) ______________________ ____________________________ ______________________ ____________________________ ______________________ Sustainable Freedom Lab, LLC

21 Signs Agenda 21 is in your Community

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sustainable development workbook #2stop agenda 21 action kit - workbook #2 page 6 introduction to...

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