01/07/2024
On Tuesday evening Jan 9, the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors will meet to discuss the adoption of a new fence ordinance which will make livestock owners automatically and absolutely liable for any livestock which escapes beyond the boundaries of the owner’s land, no matter what the reason. You livestock may be chased and driven through the fence by a predator or trespasser- no matter- the owner is liable. A tree may fall across the fence in a wind or ice storm, or trespassers may leave a gate open, and livestock escapes. No matter, the owner is liable. Not only will the owner be civilly liable, the livestock owner may also be subjected to criminal prosecution for any livestock found outside of the boundaries of that livestock owner’s land, all a substantial departure from the present fence laws which have been around since to County was first formed over 200 years ago.
If adopted such an ordinance would deal a substantial and detrimental blow to the livestock production industry , our #1 industry in the County
Every citizen in this County who owns livestock, is related to someone who owns livestock, or who supports livestock farming in Tazewell County needs to be present at this meeting to oppose any change in the existing fence laws in Tazewell County. 30 years ago, a similar proposal was made, livestock owners turned out in droves to oppose it, and the proposal was defeated. The reason I know this was because I was at that meeting 30 years ago when Don Dunford was the Southern District Supervisor.
The meeting will take place at the County Administration Building located just east of the Courthouse at 197 Main Street. Public comment time begins at 5:15 pm. In order to be a scheduled speaker with 3 minutes time you must contact Susan Jewell, Executive Assistant at 276-385-1208 to “ get on the list.” Unscheduled comments with 2 minutes allowed follow the scheduled ones. Much more important than speaking, however, is your presence at the meeting- which will send a message far more effective than 2 or 3 minutes of words can do.
If you cannot be present, contact your Supervisor before the meeting to voice your opposition.
The Board is not scheduled to discuss this proposal until after 6:45 pm- so if you cannot come on time/ come late.
If the Administration Building is as full of concerned livestock owners as it was 30 years ago-this proposal will again be defeated!
S/ Eric Whitesell, concerned Tazewell County Farm Bureau member
