I think the magnificent, undeveloped shoreline of section 16 is the very best part of Smith Lake. It’s been saved for over two hundred years. But if Cullman County, AL voters don’t vote NO on local amendment one, it will be sold and developed. I’m so MAD about this!!!
I’m not the only one who’s mad. The Smith Lake Environmental Preservation Committee voted unanimously to oppose Cullman local amendment number one.
The fate of 25,000 feet of the most amazing shoreline you’ve ever seen is at stake. It will likely be sold and developed if the Cullman County proposed local amendment number one passes. My husband, Dale, is pessimistic; he says the wording makes it seem like if you want to help the school system, you should vote yes, and who doesn’t want to help schools? I love schools, but I’m hoping everyone votes NO.
While talking to people about this important issue I discovered a misconception. Some people think the Cullman County proposed local amendment number one is just about redirecting the funds generated from the current use of the land so it goes to local schools instead of being spread throughout the state; and they believe the land will remain the beautiful green space it is today. Oh, if only that were true.
In this Cullman Times article, Superintendent Billy Coleman refers to getting his hands on this property as a windfall. You can’t get a windfall unless you sell land. He goes on to discuss sacrificing the stunning natural landscape.
He talks about what he’s going to do with his big windfall. He’s spending 10% of it off the top. He’d like to save the other 90%, and just spend the interest; but there is nothing in the proposed amendment that restricts the Board from selling the land and squandering the income. How long do you think politicians can hold on to a pot of money without spending it? The money will dwindle away until there’s nothing left. NO I say!!! This land belongs to our grandchildren’s children, and it should be preserved for them. Vote NO on proposed local amendment one.
I thought I should give a face to the land whose fate is in our hands. The school board and I agree this is extremely valuable land, we just disagree about what should be done with it.
This is how it reads on the ballot:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT WHICH APPLIES TO ONLY ONE COUNTY PROPOSED LOCAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE (1)
Relating to Cullman County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to grant sixteenth section and school lands located in Cullman County, and held in trust by the state for education purposes in Cullman County, to the Cullman County Board of Education; to authorize the Cullman County Board of Education to manage, sell, lease, and control those lands; and to provide for the distribution of any proceeds and interest from the sale, lease, or other disposition of the land or the sale of timber, minerals, or other natural resources generated by the land. (Proposed by Act No. 2012-174)
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I’m in favor of the school system benefiting from the land, but not in this way. Not with the probability of losing all or most of the 878 acres affected by this amendment. Better to look at this land as money in the bank, and live off the interest, not the principle. I would support leasing the land to Forever Wild, then the schools would have a steady income, and the land would be preserved.
(Speaking of Forever Wild, if you live in Alabama, don’t forget to vote YES on proposed statewide amendment no. 1 which reauthorizes the Forever Wild Land Trust.)
Hundreds of people jump off this rock, but my son Jesse is the cutest.
PLEASE, if you live in Cullman County, Alabama, turn over the ballot, and vote NO on the last thing on the ballot, proposed local amendment number one (1). And if you know anyone in Cullman County PLEASE ask them to at least come look at the pictures on this blog and see what’s at stake. All the pictures for this blog are section 16 land, except the next one. And if you’re on facebook, you could help by sharing a link to either what Alabama Gardener Magazine wrote, or this blog. You never know, your friend could have a relative in Cullman County.
That picture was not intentionally fuzzy. It was the best I could do with my limited computer skills, but you can follow this link and then click on your county to see your sample ballot. Select Cullman County if you want to actually read a copy of that last picture.
And if the only way you can help is to say a little prayer, that would be helpful too.
Thanks, Peggy
12-26-12 Update: The vote went the other way, but this could be a blessing in disguise because it allows an exciting, new possibility. If Forever Wild buys this land from the Cullman County School Board, it would become either a nature preserve or a recreational area or a combination. Forever Wild pays up to appraised value, so the school board gets the money they need, and the land serves its original intent, it benefits the children.
Show your support of this idea by liking the Save Smith Lake facebook page.
We do not have this kind of voting in England – indeed, it was only two days ago that I heard of it – also in relation to money for schools only, I think, in California. How complicated it is that ordinary citizens are expected to work out the hidden meaning behind the wording of amendments. As someone who lives far away, I don’t know what I would think if I had to make a decision about this. However, I can see that the coastline under threat is phenomenally beautiful and, if I lived there, I would be very anxious about what might happen to it.
I’m anxious about this land too. What will happen to the bald eagles and other wildlife once their habitat is destroyed?
This is really a gorgeous shoreline with those unusual rock formations. I get so incensed when people look at a beautiful piece of land and see only dollar signs from its development. And yes the wording on the ballot might easily be confusing for someone who is just skimming through it, hurrying to get the voting over with and get on with their day. I don’t live in AL but I sincerely hope that the nays will have it on this issue!
Thank you Deborah. I pray Cullman County voters will see the true value of this stunning land.
It is horrible when either side hides language it try to trick voters. The only thing people can do is research and pay attention. So many do not these days.
Good luck Cullman County. I pray your land is saved from developers.
Great work Peggy for getting the word out!
Thank you Eve, and thank you for your prayers!
Hello Peggy,
I’ve tried, but cannot find the location of this land. It does seem familiar, as if I’ve boated past it at one point or another. Exactly where is this land? Is it all one parcel? All the Cullman Times says is ‘on Smith Lake’. Considering there are over 500 miles of frontage, doesn’t tell us much, does it?
Keep up the good work.
Hi Tammy,
This is the land where the bald eagles nest. If you head from the dam to Big Bridge, it’s about 7 miles up on both sides of the shore. Do you know where the power lines cross? That’s the area. If you’re on Facebook, Smith Lake Living Magazine has an aerial picture. The chunk of land on Smith Lake is about 435 acres and 25,000 feet of shoreline. There is also 122 acres in Chigger Ridge and 321 acres in Joppa.
Thanks for your support, and please help me get the word out!!!!
Peggy
I completely agree. VOTE NO!! I am all for helping schools, but this is not the way to do it. My children attend a private school in Cullman, so it really doesn’t affect my kids. I grew up on Smith Lake and it is a beautiful place to be and grow and now I’m sharing that with my girls. They enjoy it as much as I did when I was their age. I do not want that to go away. We must preserve this land and continue to leave this legacy for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to admire. There’s no more land being made and it must be protected. I really hope the citizens of Cullman realize what they will be doing if this amendment passes.
Hip Hip Hooray for BW. Spread the word.
Hi Peggy,
I wasn’t sure if the Cullman County Local Amendment would be on all county ballots or not. I live in Lauderdale, and just returned from voting, and saw that the amendment was not on my ballot. Had it been, I certainly would have voted NO, as you suggested. Good luck! Hope it is not passed in order to protect this beautiful area. (I found you via Dirt Therapy blog)
Thanks Sandra,
Phillip is a good friend to support me on his blog, Dirt Therapy.
Thanks Sandra,
Phillip is a good friend to support me on his blog, Dirt Therapy.
Peggy, our property (1 acre lake lot) borders the 16th section land. I want to get involved in the Forever Wild initiative. I have researched enough to know that you have to apply. Let me know what you have done and I will join the team. Forever Wild would be a great thing for this property.
Welcome Jeff.
When you built your house on Smith Lake did you discuss it with your neighbors before you built it? Of course not… its not their land. Did YOU think about the native species occupying YOUR piece of land? If this land belongs to the school system for the sole purpose of helping schools then to be quite frank… who cares what you think.
Hi Anon, I only think people should care about what I think, when what I think is worth caring about. I would like people to care about preserving some of the most magnificent shoreline in the South. I would like them to care about habitats for endangered species and the bald eagle nesting on this site. If Forever Wild buys the land, the schools will get money, and the land can continue to serve the children. Albert Einstein said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
And if you are interested in any of the fabulous natives that grow on my property, I write about them all the time. Just look at the posts tagged ‘It just grew there’.