Taylor Council Is Urged To Distance Itself From Sustainable Consortium

“Sustainable development is a United Nations (U.N.) policy,” said Upshaw. “It is their concept, it is their policy, it is their doctrine,” noting that he is concerned that the U.N. is telling us how to run our economy and how to use our resources through what they call comprehensive planning, growth management or smart growth, rather than calling it Agenda 21. “They can’t tell people what it is, so they will be dishonest about what it is so people will swallow it and then throw in some grant money. But that’s another story. …

“…ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) is working directly with HUD (Housing and Urban Development). ICLEI was created to implement the U.N.’s Agenda 21,” he continued.

Upshaw presented documentation that gave an overview of the sustainable communities partnership, showing that it would provide more transportation choices, promote equitable affordable housing, enhance economic competitiveness, support existing communities, coordinate polices and leverage investment, and value communities and neighborhood. He also showed the program goals for the Northeastern Arizona Sustainability Consortium, which were the same, and said that the consortium’s website uses all but one of those overviews.

“The government is in control of everything, including private property. They don’t have to confiscate it if they can control it,” he said.

He went on to explain how they offer grant money. “There is no such thing as free money,” he said, then asked the council, “Has federal involvement helped or hurt Navajo County?”

Councilman Shawn Palmer thanked Upshaw for “having the fortitude and backbone to step forward. It’s one thing to know about this, it’s another to have the fortitude to share it.”

Councilman Jared Hatch said that he had researched the ICLEI website, then noted, “Going on that website it was–Wow! I appreciate what you’re doing here.”

Councilman Alan Ramage asked Upshaw what Taylor’s involvement was and stated, “I fully agree with what was said, I see neighboring communities are pulling out” of the Northeastern Arizona Sustainable Development Consortium.

Councilman Garry Solomon spoke of all the subdivisions that were going to come into Taylor, stating, “The way they have destroyed all the marketing and housing values…”

“Our town council over a year ago, along with other town councils and boards of supervisors, submitted letters of support for an application for a grant,” explained Town Manager Eric Duthie, noting that once the grant was awarded the towns would have to sign up for the consortium. “We haven’t done that because I haven’t brought it to you.

“We can accomplish the planning and the cooperation with other forms of relationships that we have in the region that are already underway,” Duthie said.

The majority of the council members agreed that they would like to formally withdraw from the consortium.

Duthie explained that what was brought to them with the grant application was an opportunity to have someone come in and fund the facilitation process. “In my point of view, a lot had to do with tribal relationships,” he said.

“The purpose behind it all is noble, but I have concerns as well with the application,” Duthie continued.

“I don’t see how you can formally withdraw from something you have not formally signed on to,” said Duthie in reference to the consortium. He went on to caution the council, stating, “You know nothing about the other side of the story.

“We have not moved forward with this because I have refused to,” said Duthie. “If you want to move forward you need to have a discussion with people on the other side of the organization just so you have the facts.”