Citizens for Linn County

19/12/2024

Bates County!

20/08/2024

Just over a year ago, concerned residents gathered at a commissioner meeting, urgently requesting the officials to halt the impending vote on regulations that could drastically alter their community. Their heartfelt pleas fell on deaf ears, as the commissioners chose to proceed with their plans. This disregard for the voices of the people ignited a fierce battle—a combat for betterment that would test the limits of their resolve.

From the outset, the residents faced significant obstacles. They were met with misinformation from county officials and the county attorney, who misled them about the implications of the proposed regulations. Furthermore, their attempts to voice concerns during planning and zoning meetings were restrained, with the chairman of the planning and zoning board falsely claiming that the residents were "unrealistic to work with." Even the local news sources had a slanted side against them. Such dismissive attitudes only fueled the community's determination to fight back and reclaim their voice in governance.

Undeterred by these challenges, the residents of Linn County rallied together. They attended every planning and zoning meeting and commissioners meeting, armed with knowledge and a clear sense of purpose. Recognizing that education was key to their success, they took it upon themselves to inform not only their neighbors but also themselves about the regulatory processes that affected their lives. This grassroots education effort laid the groundwork for a more organized campaign for change.

The residents soon recognized the importance of public discourse and pushed for public hearings that would allow them to express their concerns directly to decision-makers. After persistent advocacy, they succeeded in securing these hearings, providing a much-needed platform for community members to voice their opinions. However, even after the hearings, some members of the planning and zoning board continued to disparage the residents’ efforts, attempting to undermine their legitimacy. Yet, despite the slander and attempts to silence them, the community's resolve only grew stronger.

After two public hearings and months of grassroots activism, the tide began to turn. The planning and zoning board, acknowledging the power of the community's voice and learning information outside what the solar companies were proclaiming, voted in favor of a prohibition on commercial solar development—an outcome that had seemed impossible just months prior.
The solar companies hired a company to send multiple text through out the county trying to make this about landowners rights. They hired a lawyer to send threatening letters to our planning and zoning and commissioners. The wording was the must cease-and-desist, at the end they were asking. They couldn’t even spell linn county correctly.
It’s a shame of all the battles that were faced with along the way.
Today we won the war when their recommendation was given to the Linn County commissioners. With little discussion the commissioners voted 2-1 for a prohibition on commercial solar.
Danny and Jim were in full support of a prohibition!
Jason voting against it…

With much gratitude we appreciate each and every planning and zoning member and commissioner that took the time to listen to the citizens and the true facts.

We feel for all the small communities like ours that’s fighting this battle against big corporations. They will continue to push forward trying to move into our communities.
We have had a lot of people reach out, wanting to know how we changed this. There never was one thing. We put our boots on and hit the ground running. There is no smoking gun, we repeated our selves meeting after meeting. We continued to educate our selfs day in and day out.
We continued to reach out to our community.
Just don’t give up and continue to try and provide as much information as you can. Something different will click with each individual.

Linn County can sleep peacefully tonight!

19/08/2024

Today at the commissioner’s meeting the planning and zoning will be introducing the new article 14 banning utility commercial solar in the county. Hopefully the commissioners vote and we end this madness!!!!!!
Please if possible show up in support of the ban!

14/08/2024

This evening marked a significant moment for Linn County! The planning and zoning committee drafted the findings for a proposed prohibition and conducted a vote on the matter. They unanimously approved it with a 7-0 vote, which will be presented to the commissioners on Monday, the 19th. A big thank you to all the members of the planning and zoning committee!

13/08/2024

Attention
There is a Planning and Zoning meeting TONIGHT at 7:00PM @ the Linn County Annex Building.
The committee will be discussing a prohibition on commercial solar and hopefully voting.
Please attend to support us if possible.

31/07/2024

We must elect people we can trust to protect our county. At the Linn County Debate Alison Hamilton, Jim Johnson and Rod Earnest stood strong on supporting a prohibition on commercial solar.
Richard Morrell and Vicki Leonard were PRO SOLAR! Come August 6th people need to remember this!

31/07/2024

We had a very successful turn out last night at the public hearing. Thanks to everyone that has supported us during this battle!
We had over 225 written responses and 22 speaker last night!
United we stand for our land!
August 13th the P&Z will discuss the public hearing and hopefully take a vote to the commissioners on August 19th!

31/07/2024

Please tune in to watch the public hearing live.
Click on the link below

29/07/2024

Tomorrow is the public hearing for a prohibition on commercial solar. 7 pm at Prairie view performing arts center.
If you do not plan on speaking in person, please fill out this job form below.

https://form.jotform.com/241895451002149?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3HeIFTCwYIzqLld8YuPoNTzvA_We9o03AwGK5xdD2KP8n7kX7RSh1hlvE_aem_vGU1VgJve0WkcwH9JGzvnQ

Please click the link to complete this form.

26/07/2024

Part 2

Everyone needs to see this!

Please speak out July 30th at Prairieview high school 7 PM
Like and share this video

Click on the link below to summit a written statement!
https://form.jotform.com/241895451002149?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3HeIFTCwYIzqLld8YuPoNTzvA_We9o03AwGK5xdD2KP8n7kX7RSh1hlvE_aem_vGU1VgJve0WkcwH9JGzvnQ

26/07/2024

Everyone needs to see this!
Part 1
Please speak out July 30th at Prairieview high school 7 PM
Like and share this video

Click on the link below to summit a written statement!
https://form.jotform.com/241895451002149?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3HeIFTCwYIzqLld8YuPoNTzvA_We9o03AwGK5xdD2KP8n7kX7RSh1hlvE_aem_vGU1VgJve0WkcwH9JGzvnQ

25/07/2024

For many citizens in Linn County today, you may have received a message from a Washington DC non-profit company “American Energy Action”. Their primary goal is to advocate clean energy policies throughout multiple states.
Citizens against Solar have gained momentum over the past year and we are clearly making an impact for our county to have been featured in many energy magazines and contacted regularly to have conversations with many energy companies.
This hearing is NOT about Property rights! And only about Article 14, which will prohibit commercial solar in Linn County.
Stand together and show up to hopefully the last PVHS Public Hearing on July 30th @ 7pm and don’t let big government help make decisions on our rural way of life!