Ahhh, Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of Summer! I look forward to the weeks ahead and picking a day to have some of the neighbors and a few friends over for a barbecue.
Thank goodness we have the freedom to invite to our homes those we choose, as often as we want, without having to ask permission of some local agency.
Let’s say for a moment that I like my friends and neighbors enough, and the aroma of a barbecue just as much, to have a weekly get-together at my place? About 15 folks, for regular burgers and dogs, maybe steaks. Bring your own, those who can show, fine, if not, next week, or when you can.
Uhhh, before my wife nips this in the proverbial bud, let’s say she likes the idea?
Okay, that too would be our choice — to have a weekly feast and invite some friends — not the government’s, right? Yep. Again, thank goodness.
Now say that instead of a bbq, it’s a weekly book club. About 15 of us, reading the same book on our own, then getting together at my house regularly to discuss it. The Da Vinci Code, perhaps. Whatever.
Again, thank goodness for the freedom of association to have some book clubbers to my home, without government approval or intervention.
Did I say thank goodness? Yes. But, in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County, apparently, if I say thank God for my freedoms, I’ll need a Major Use Permit. And, if the book is a Bible, I’d better ask first.
I must render unto Caesar and CEQA, before I invite anyone to my abode.
From WorldNetDaily last Friday:
A San Diego pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a county official and warned they will face escalating fines if they continue to hold Bible studies in their home.
The couple, whose names are being withheld until a demand letter can be filed on their behalf, told their attorney a county government employee knocked on their door on Good Friday, asking a litany of questions about their Tuesday night Bible studies, which are attended by approximately 15 people.
"Do you have a regular weekly meeting in your home? Do you sing? Do you say ‘amen’?" the official reportedly asked. "Do you say, ‘Praise the Lord’?"
The pastor’s wife answered yes.
She says she was then told, however, that she must stop holding "religious assemblies" until she and her husband obtain a Major Use Permit from the county, a permit that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars.
Here’s the entire article.
Here as well is a 10News piece from over the weekend, as well as an article from the station’s website.
Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher caught the TV coverage…
Last night I saw this story on channel 10 and could not believe it to be true. In houses all across America and California small group Bible studies are an integral part of daily life. The thought that a county official would require a major use permit to allow people of faith to voluntarily gather in a home is appalling. Set aside the right to free speech, freedom of assembly, and others–this violates common sense.
I am certain that our board of supervisors will work to correct this problem and would encourage you to call them. www.sdcounty.ca.gov/general/bos.html.
Please forward this to others who might join in our efforts to correct this error.
Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher
75th State Assembly District
Thanks, Nathan. Actually, I have enough faith in every single member of the SD County Board of Supervisors that they also took note and are probably already working to rectify the situation. I’ll be asking them for their respective takes, post haste. Watch this page.
In the meantime, if you’ve ever wondered why the appointment of a federal judge is so important, I just gave you a hint.
May 27th, 2009 at 12:00 am
At my age, I doubt that common sense will return to any level of Government in the State of California in my lifetime. Other than the weather, what is the incentive to continue living in this State? No wonder people and business’s are moving out. According to Harry S Dent, a leading economist, California will never recover to it’s status as a leader. After living here for 59 years I also am wondering why I stay.