At last there is some activity in the county over the zoning referendum that is scheduled for Nov 7 and early voting is arleady underway.

The “NO” vote has erected large blue “No Zoning” signs all over the county. Interestingly these same signs were used in Berkeley County for the zoning referendum that took place last year. While some have argued that this smacks of outside interference in local county affairs, others have suggested this as a great example of recycling. The new signs have been updated however, with a sticker with the word ”New” being attached, as in “No New Zoning”. Word on the street is that developer and utility company owner Lee Snyder is behind the installation of the signs, and some have reported local resident and wannabe mayor of Mannings Paul Ashbaugh digging holes and erecting the signs near intersections across the county.

As to the “YES” vote, a website has been launched arguing in favor of the referendum. This can be found at www.reformjefferson.org. The domain is registered under the name of  John Maxey from Citizens of the Blue Ridge Act, who has been actively involved in the zoning ordinance forums as well as in the debates over the future of the mountain communities near Shannodale and Blue Ridge. On the webisite can be found flyes and articles written by the Jefferson County Zoning director explaining the differences between the current and proposed ordinance as well as a long treatise on why the new ordinance is a positive addition to the county.