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Commission to support it. She also wished the Commission would send a letter to the <br />Governor that after the explanation from Representative Poppell we support the bill. She <br />knew that Christy (Christy Fuller, Rep. Poppell's Legislative Assistant) has offered to keep <br />us posted on the bills that may affect the County. She thought a good working relationship <br />with Representatives Poppell and Mayfield would do good for both the Legislature and our <br />county. In closing, she thanked Representative Poppell for his very positive role in aiding <br />the increase of beach preservation funds. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Adams, <br />SECONDED BY Commissioner Lowther for discussion, to <br />send a letter urging the Governor to sign the Agricultural Land <br />& Practices Act. <br />Under discussion, Commissioner Lowther supported the motion and specified that <br />he had been behind this bill and never could get a clear answer from Jonathan Steverson as <br />to why he opposed it. <br />Vice Chairman Ginn had spoken with Jon Steverson yesterday. He told her this bill <br />was not about agriculture but about development of agricultural lands. If that is the case, <br />then we do need local control. <br />Under this bill, Representative Poppell explained that if counties are already going <br />by DCA regulations, this will not change anything. It merely adds to that and says we need <br />to pay attention to and protect agriculture because it is being phased out rapidly. Some of <br />the reasons people object is because it is being misconstrued, urban life is encroaching on <br />agriculture, not the other way around. This bill does not say a person can come in and <br />development a new farm, it covers bona fide existing agriculture. It does not change or <br />diminish the authority of the counties. You must read the entire bill for the correct <br />June 10, 2003 <br />19 <br />