Posted 8/31/2011
by Lois Krafsky-Perry & Staff
Citizen Review Online
Port Angeles, WA – Clallam County residents concerned about their Constitutional rights, gathered to ask the three county commissioners to withdraw the county from its paid membership in ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives – now known as ICLEI – Communities for Sustainability). Approximately 40 people attended the Tuesday morning regular county commissioners’ meeting held on August 30, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Clallam County courthouse.
County Commissioners Mike Doherty (D), Steve Tharinger (D), and Mike Chapman (I), finished the regular business on the Agenda. At the public comment period, citizens came forward to the podium to be heard.
Clallam County Republican Party (CCRP) Chairman, Dick Pilling spoke first, and submitted a “Resolution for Clallam County to withdraw from ICLEI and UN Agenda 21”, which was unanimously passed by the Clallam County Republican Party Centra Committee earlier this month. The commissioners joined the UN Agenda-promoting organization approximately three years ago.
Pilling stated that, after researching the alliance which promotes “sustainable development”, the CCRP has determined that the goals, aspirations, and agenda of ICLEI are “not consistent with the principles set forth in the US Constitution or the Washington State Constitution. Moreover, they are incompatible with the precepts of freedom and individual choice which has been the cornerstone of our country throughout its history. We have therefore drafted a resolution calling for the withdrawal from ICLEI which I have provided to you prior to the meeting.”
Pilling suggested, “Possibly you decided to join this group – ICLEI – without knowing much about its concepts of Sustainable Development.” He gave each a packet of information and background material for their information and education.
Pilling continued: “ICLEI and its associates attack private property ownership, stating that ‘Land cannot be treated as an ordinary asset controlled by individuals as this contributes to social injustice’ (See UN Conference on Human Settlements, Vancouver Action Plan, D1) .Their publicized agenda is to move people out of rural areas into cities so as to decrease their environmental footprint. (see unhabitat.org/docs The Habitat Agenda).”
“Have you guys really signed onto an organization that would eliminate our property rights?” he asked incredulously.
Pilling added, “They [UN Agenda 21, promoted by ICLEI] contend that ‘current lifestyles and consumption patterns of the affluent middle class involve high meat intake, use of fossil fuels, appliances, home and work air conditioning and suburban housing are not sustainable and are to be eliminated.” (Maurice Strong, opening speech at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit).
“Are you kidding me? We can’t eat meat? We can’t have labor saving appliances?” asked Pilling.
Continuing, he said, “They would eliminate or curtail ski runs, grazing of livestock, plowing of soil, fences, industry, single family homes, paved and tarred roads, logging activities, dams and reservoirs, power line construction and more. (UN Biodiversity Report).”
“Really guys? Really? As representatives of this county, is that what you really think is in our best interests?”
Pilling: “They envision turning 50% of America into Core Wilderness reserves wherein no human activity would be permitted. (See Wildlands Project) Most damning, they say that the individual right must give way to the collective.”
Pilling: “And in order to accomplish all of these goals, the members are reminded that they must be prepared to commit to ‘radical action’. All this comes from legions of faceless, nameless, unelected bureaucrats who would aspire to dictate, in the most minute detail to us – a free people – as to how we comport ourselves in our daily life.”
Pilling: “While we have no control over these far-off agencies whose goals are so inimical and hostile to our way of life, we do have a measure of control over you, our elected representatives who have been chosen to represent the best interests of our county.”
“Gentlemen,” Pilling continued, “this is not a partisan issue… Both Republican and Democrat organizations reject ICLEI. For instance, see the website Democrats against UN 21.
“Cities and counties across the USA are awakening to the hostile aspects of ICLEI and are demanding that their legislators cease to associate themselves with ICLEI. Neither Republican nor Democrat, this is an American issue.
“Accordingly, on behalf of the Clallam County Republican Party and in accordance with
our resolution, I demand, in the strongest possible terms, that this body resign from
ICLEI forthwith, immediately withdraw any support for its agenda, and without delay,
disassociate yourselves with any and all of its program now and in the future,” Pilling concluded.
Mike Doherty, commission chairman, said he appreciates all sides of the issue. He has been a strong proponent of the ICLEI membership at past meetings, and seemed defensive of the continued membership. He stated that he only joined so that he could obtain information regarding conservation and green technology. He listed his concern about climate change and sea level rise situations, as a reason for consideration. “We are trying to get the best information we can from all sources,” he stated, claiming that “all” he uses from ICLEI are the “suggestions” to help with climate change.
The Port Angeles commissioner announced that ICLEI is an item of budget. Sequim resident Janette Chrysler asked when the Budget meeting would be held. The answer was vague, from Doherty, and he answered by saying they meet quarterly for changes on the budget. When pressed, he said October 6-20 would probably be the approximate dates. “Late in the fall, ” he added. He reminded the attendees that the public is invited to those meetings.
“Will the board take action? asked Bob Forde, Sequim, from the audience.
Doherty affirmed the budget meeting, as he did several times later.
Bob Sauerwein, a 2012 (Washington) candidate for Congress, spoke against ICLEI. “It is insidious and wrong and is not approved by the federal government, in any way. If the federal government says ‘no’, then why don’t you?” he asked.
Sue Forde, a Sequim resident and web designer, asked the commissioners, “if you got a few tidbits of “good” information from the Communist party, would you join them?” She answered Doherty’s appeal to get more information and other opinions, about ICLEI.
Forde informed them about the Earth Charter global partnership, the implementation of the Earth Charter, and Agenda 21. ICLEI endorsed the Earth Charter in 2000, she advised them, having learned that fact recently when researching the issue. Here are just a “few” items mentioned in the Earth Charter:
- “…a global partnership to care for the Earth
- “Fundamental changes are needed in our values, institutions, and ways of living.
- “a global civil society
- “shared vision of basic values to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community.
- “ensure a a sustainable livelihood
- “…moral and spiritual education for sustainable living.”
“You’re going to tell me how to live my spiritual life?” she queried.
She continued quoting from the Earth Charter:
- “This requires a change of mind and heart. It requires a new sense of global interdependence and universal responsibility.
- “In order to build a sustainable global community, the nations of the world must renew their commitment to the United Nations, fulfill their obligations under existing international agreements, and support the implementation of Earth Charter principles with an international legally binding instrument on environment and development.
- “Promote the equitable distribution of wealth within nations and among nations.
- “Demilitarize national security systems.”
“Just this last one alone should be enough to make us want to get out of this partnership with ICLEI,” Forde said.
“This smacks right in the face of our US and Washington State Consitutions, which you swore to uphold,” stated Forde.
Bob McGonigel of Sequim said he was shocked by Mike Doherty’s response, to concerns about the Constitution. He reminded the commissioners that 3 or 4 years ago they passed a resolution against the Patriot Act on the grounds that it went against the Constitution.
McGonigel announced while referring to ICLEI, “Mike Doherty knows full well what it is [ICLEI] and supports it.”
Shelly Taylor of Port Angeles reminded the commissioners that our forefathers wanted local government and does not want to turn our sovereignty to a global entity.
When the crowd was told earlier not to applaud, Taylor reminded the commissioners from the floor, that this is the way to show we are in agreement with the speaker.
Dr. Jerry Stiles from Sequim said, “The premise of global warming stuff is bogus.” Stiles worked for the space industry for many years, in areas of atmospheric issues. He explained that carbon dioxide is a trailing and not leading indicator of climate change. “It is a follow-up to climate change,” said Stiles. He announced that our nation is being jeopardized by a scare, remarking that yesterday’s Reds are today’s Greens in camouflage.
Richard Hale of Port Angeles appealed to the commissioners by saying, “if you don’t get it—-read our Constitution and State Constitution. Follow the Constitution.”
The Commissioners said they would review the information.
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