Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Everyone has an opinion about land use programs. No one seems to know what the programs are really for and what purpose they serve.

The biggest joke on the American public is we are told the programs are designed to conserve our forests, wetlands and natural resources. This lie is perpetrated through the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) and their property grabbing state and federal regulations.

If your property is in a "conservation program," you have actually given your property to the government to "protect" from human use. Sadly, once in, never out.

Now let’s talk about the other land use programs. They do not conserve anything! The property is required to stay in the program of choice for five years or the back taxes have to be paid by the owner. However, it is doubtful the owner would take the property out of land use considering his savings. (For example: In Essex County, we have an owner with three...