PROPERTY RIGHTS COUNCIL “Private property and freedom are inseparable.” George Washington Karen Bracken americadontforget.com Karen Bracken americadontforget.com

What Is A Property Rights Council? A council of between 7-9 citizen volunteers (number is determined by need) vetted and approved by the County Commission and assigned the task of research and the creation of free market recommendations to resolve property rights conflicts as appropriate.

PRC Mission Statement  The mission of a county Property Rights Council ("Council") is to review county government activities and inter-governmental activities to determine whether the activities may cause adverse impact to private property rights. In furtherance of this mission, the Council is charged with supplying property rights impact opinion statements to participating county officials in order to help ensure that officials are sufficiently informed of potential harmful private property rights impacts which may accompany their activities. County based property rights impact review is essential because Federal and State government regulatory frameworks often provide minimal private property rights protection and thereby enable local governments to subordinate private property rights to other goals. Councilors shall review county activities through the systematic examination of private property protection theories, research, and the underlying legal framework of local government.

Why Do We Need A PRC? A PRC is a citizens council to ensure our unalienable Constitutional rights are protected from unelected bureaucrats. To assist elected officials that do not have the time to research and provide free market solutions to private property issues brought to them by their constituents. A PRC is a citizens council to ensure our unalienable Constitutional rights are protected from unelected bureaucrats. To assist elected officials that do not have the time to research and provide free market solutions to private property issues brought to them by their constituents.

How Did the PRC Start?  Bonner County, Idaho County Commision Chairman Cornel Rasor has been involved in Agenda 21 and property rights issues for many years.  After being elected to the County Commission several years ago Commissioner Rasor set out to develop a strategy to protect constituents property rights and the right to manage their private property.  3 years later the Bonner County Property Rights Council was born  It is Commissioner Rasor’s goal to someday have a state mandate to have a PRC in every county in Idaho. And to see PRCs started in other states.  Bonner County, Idaho County Commision Chairman Cornel Rasor has been involved in Agenda 21 and property rights issues for many years.  After being elected to the County Commission several years ago Commissioner Rasor set out to develop a strategy to protect constituents property rights and the right to manage their private property.  3 years later the Bonner County Property Rights Council was born  It is Commissioner Rasor’s goal to someday have a state mandate to have a PRC in every county in Idaho. And to see PRCs started in other states.

Obtaining Your Legal Authority Letter  First decide if you are going to approach this from the City Council or County Commission level. Go with the more conservative of the groups. Generally you will find the County to be more conservative.  Be sure to have a copy of the Legal Authority letter from the Idaho AG and a copy of the letter from Pacific Legal. This should provide indication that you have standing in creating your council.  Print out the By Laws and sample Resolutions from the Bonner County Property Rights Council website (use google to find it)  If you have access to legal advice consult them as well to ensure legality of setting up a council.  Every state has a free market legal think tank find yours by going to: - select DIRECTIONS from the top menu.  You will then be able to select your state from the map or select your state from the drop down menu.  If you would like to contact someone from the State Policy Network contact me and we will work with you to set that up. You will eventually want to establish a connection with them.  First decide if you are going to approach this from the City Council or County Commission level. Go with the more conservative of the groups. Generally you will find the County to be more conservative.  Be sure to have a copy of the Legal Authority letter from the Idaho AG and a copy of the letter from Pacific Legal. This should provide indication that you have standing in creating your council.  Print out the By Laws and sample Resolutions from the Bonner County Property Rights Council website (use google to find it)  If you have access to legal advice consult them as well to ensure legality of setting up a council.  Every state has a free market legal think tank find yours by going to: - select DIRECTIONS from the top menu.  You will then be able to select your state from the map or select your state from the drop down menu.  If you would like to contact someone from the State Policy Network contact me and we will work with you to set that up. You will eventually want to establish a connection with them.

Helping to Build the Philosophy of Your Request  There have been many stories of assaults against peoples property rights  It is time we took a proactive step to ensure we do not fall into the trap of “too little too late.”  Property rights are the foundation of our freedom and our Constitution. We must do everything in our power to preserve and protect the rights of our constituents  If presented properly I can’t see how any Commissioner could deny property rights protections for their constituents.  There have been many stories of assaults against peoples property rights  It is time we took a proactive step to ensure we do not fall into the trap of “too little too late.”  Property rights are the foundation of our freedom and our Constitution. We must do everything in our power to preserve and protect the rights of our constituents  If presented properly I can’t see how any Commissioner could deny property rights protections for their constituents.

Interfacing with Your County Commission  Set up a private face to face meeting with the person you feel would be most receptive to the PRC concept.  Discuss in more detail (if necessary) the PRC concept. You might want to share the PRC By- Laws at this time.  Deliver legal authority letter at this meeting.  After discussion commences request permission to set up a Q&A session with Commissioner Rasor (set this up ahead of time with  Ask Commissioner how he/she would like to move forward. The hope is to get the PRC concept on the docket for the next meeting.  Set up a private face to face meeting with the person you feel would be most receptive to the PRC concept.  Discuss in more detail (if necessary) the PRC concept. You might want to share the PRC By- Laws at this time.  Deliver legal authority letter at this meeting.  After discussion commences request permission to set up a Q&A session with Commissioner Rasor (set this up ahead of time with  Ask Commissioner how he/she would like to move forward. The hope is to get the PRC concept on the docket for the next meeting.

Interfacing with Your County Commission (cont’d) ◊If it is agreed to put the PRC issue on the docket discuss who will do the presentation. Comm. Rasor or Wayne Hoffman from Idaho Freedom Foundation would be happy to participate. ◊Be sure to review presentation with Commissioner before the meeting if you will be presenting the concept. ◊Get as many people to attend the meeting in support of your proposal as possible. The more people the better. ◊The result of this meeting and the final decision made will determine your next steps. ◊If it is agreed to put the PRC issue on the docket discuss who will do the presentation. Comm. Rasor or Wayne Hoffman from Idaho Freedom Foundation would be happy to participate. ◊Be sure to review presentation with Commissioner before the meeting if you will be presenting the concept. ◊Get as many people to attend the meeting in support of your proposal as possible. The more people the better. ◊The result of this meeting and the final decision made will determine your next steps.

Success!!!  If you are successful and get approval for a PRC in your county it is time to build your team.  At this point it is best to contact Karen Bracken at or the Bonner County Team.  The Commission will need to advertise for volunteers, vet and interview volunteers to ensure they are free market conservative people and will commit the time and hard work it will take to make the PRC successful.  The by-laws and the needed resolutions are available on the Bonner County PRC website.  The Bonner County Team can assist you in setting up training for your PRC.  You will also want to get some citizen volunteers to work with the PRC Network (attend conservative group meetings to solicit volunteers)  You will need someone with legal experience (retired lawyer, paralegal)  If you are successful and get approval for a PRC in your county it is time to build your team.  At this point it is best to contact Karen Bracken at or the Bonner County Team.  The Commission will need to advertise for volunteers, vet and interview volunteers to ensure they are free market conservative people and will commit the time and hard work it will take to make the PRC successful.  The by-laws and the needed resolutions are available on the Bonner County PRC website.  The Bonner County Team can assist you in setting up training for your PRC.  You will also want to get some citizen volunteers to work with the PRC Network (attend conservative group meetings to solicit volunteers)  You will need someone with legal experience (retired lawyer, paralegal)

How Is a Constituent Request Handled?  Request is submitted by the public or city/county dept. ( , hand deliver, on-line)  PRC Chairperson will review the request and assign it to a PRC Counselor  Start with a simple issue to gain experience and to build respectability.  Research regulatory framework and determine government agencies that would be involved.  Chairman will contact agencies  Set up the first hearing date. Invite agencies involved. This series of hearings are for the PRC to gain a complete understanding of the issue and the law.  Be sure to record all meetings and have a secretary to take minutes.  PRC counselors and PRC Network volunteers will be researching during this phase to gain understanding.  Continue to schedule hearings with agencies to establish understanding of issue.  Use the State Policy Network ( to research think tanks for articles and information.  Request is submitted by the public or city/county dept. ( , hand deliver, on-line)  PRC Chairperson will review the request and assign it to a PRC Counselor  Start with a simple issue to gain experience and to build respectability.  Research regulatory framework and determine government agencies that would be involved.  Chairman will contact agencies  Set up the first hearing date. Invite agencies involved. This series of hearings are for the PRC to gain a complete understanding of the issue and the law.  Be sure to record all meetings and have a secretary to take minutes.  PRC counselors and PRC Network volunteers will be researching during this phase to gain understanding.  Continue to schedule hearings with agencies to establish understanding of issue.  Use the State Policy Network ( to research think tanks for articles and information.

How Is A Constituent Request Handled?  Once sessions with experts, research, subject matter experts is complete you are ready to complete your findings and schedule next set of hearings  These Phase 2 hearings will be to present your findings and free market resolution (be sure to record all hearings and have a secretary to take minutes) also to hear from opposing views.  A packet of all research and pertinent documents given to each PRC Counselor. Discuss findings  Schedule second Phase 2 meeting for the advisory recommendation decision and to allow opposing opinions to your recommendation.  Present recommendation to Commission ( or hand deliver)  Commission will place the recommendation for the next meeting.  Be sure to meet with conservative groups and constituents to request they attend meeting in support of resolution.  A vote will be taken by the Commission and if approved the Commission will sign the resolution  Chairman distributes resolution and if necessary notifies state or federal Congressperson of resolution.  Once sessions with experts, research, subject matter experts is complete you are ready to complete your findings and schedule next set of hearings  These Phase 2 hearings will be to present your findings and free market resolution (be sure to record all hearings and have a secretary to take minutes) also to hear from opposing views.  A packet of all research and pertinent documents given to each PRC Counselor. Discuss findings  Schedule second Phase 2 meeting for the advisory recommendation decision and to allow opposing opinions to your recommendation.  Present recommendation to Commission ( or hand deliver)  Commission will place the recommendation for the next meeting.  Be sure to meet with conservative groups and constituents to request they attend meeting in support of resolution.  A vote will be taken by the Commission and if approved the Commission will sign the resolution  Chairman distributes resolution and if necessary notifies state or federal Congressperson of resolution.

Bonner County Current Issues - National Impact  Wetlands  Watershed overlay  Zoning  Issues that are resolved with one PRC could be used to resolve the same issues in other states in less time  Wetlands  Watershed overlay  Zoning  Issues that are resolved with one PRC could be used to resolve the same issues in other states in less time

Maintaining the Integrity of the PRC  Intensive vetting by Commission to insure the right people are brought on to the council  PRC members can request the dismissal of another PRC member for cause  Public request for PRC member removal for cause  Term limits  Statists will not want to work with free market policy  Constituent group of volunteers  Intensive vetting by Commission to insure the right people are brought on to the council  PRC members can request the dismissal of another PRC member for cause  Public request for PRC member removal for cause  Term limits  Statists will not want to work with free market policy  Constituent group of volunteers

Public Service (free help)  Sr. level high school, college-level political science, or pre-law teachers and institutions are encouraged to give students academic credit for participation in PRC volunteer programs  PRC volunteer programs help immunize students from academic biases favoring government intervention  PRC volunteer programs also gives students a practical education in three- tiered federalism, while transforming government at the same time.  Sr. level high school, college-level political science, or pre-law teachers and institutions are encouraged to give students academic credit for participation in PRC volunteer programs  PRC volunteer programs help immunize students from academic biases favoring government intervention  PRC volunteer programs also gives students a practical education in three- tiered federalism, while transforming government at the same time.

Some Highlights of the PRC  Free market solutions to resolve property rights issues  Term limits - 8 years  Oversight by members and public to ensure integrity of council  Low cost, big savings  National impact to preserve property rights across America  Create a national database of pending and resolved issues  Free market solutions to resolve property rights issues  Term limits - 8 years  Oversight by members and public to ensure integrity of council  Low cost, big savings  National impact to preserve property rights across America  Create a national database of pending and resolved issues

A Special thanks to the Bonner County, Idaho County Commission for their innovative approach and dedication to the preservation of property rights and the very foundation of our Constitution. Commission Chairman Cornel Rasor Scott Bauer - Attorney Pam Stout - Paralegal “Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.” John Adams