Letter to the Editor: Support the Right to Grow Act

The Georgia State Code lists the rights of citizens as the right of personal security, personal liberty, and the right of private property. The definition of 'personal security' is 'The legal and uninterrupted enjoyment by a man of his life, his body, his health and his reputation.' Author and professor Dr. Mark Cooray, who studies multiculturalism and human rights, says, "Personal liberty means not only freedom from unlawful physical restraint or harm, but also freedom from arbitrary interference with one's privacy and lawful belongings."  

Local governments strip us of these rights when zoning ordinances ban us from the right to grow our own vegetables, fresh eggs, and honey. At a time when nearly one in five people in Georgia are on food stamps, House Bill 853, the Right to Grow Act, seeks to return those Rights to the people. The HB 853 is being held in Committee by lobbyists for the cities and counties who feel that it is their place to tell citizens what they can and cannot do on their property. HB 853 will die in committee at the end of the month if people do not call their legislators and support it.

There is more information at www.gafoodrights.org.

Contact the Cobb Legislative Delegation and ask them to support it.

Joseph Pond