March 07, 2014
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —The Rutherford Institute has come to the defense of a Florida widow who is being threatened with eviction from her own home by city code enforcement officials as a result of her efforts to live sustainably “off the grid,” without relying on city water and electrical sources. Insisting that Robin Speronis’ home in Cape Coral, Fla., is “unsafe” because it is not hooked up to city water and electrical resources, city officials have ordered Speronis to hook her home up to city water, electrical, and sewer outlets, despite the fact that she has been self-sustainable for more than a year.
In coming to Speronis’ assistance, Institute attorneys have taken issue with the city’s rigid enforcement of its outdated code provisions. The Rutherford Institute has historically been a vocal critic of onerous regulations that render otherwise law-abiding individuals as criminals simply for attempting to live independently without reliance on city or town resources.
“The application of these burdensome rules, regulations, and inspection requirements against individuals attempting to live independent and environmentally sustainable lifestyles sends the wrong message: that citizens must be dependent on the state, whether or not they wish to be,” said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute and author of A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State. “This case is emblematic of a growing problem in America today, namely, that bureaucrats and local governments will go to great lengths to perpetuate dependence and compliance with the nanny state.”
Comments
Yes, I thought it was awesome of them to take on this case and challenge the State.
Glad he is getting someone the go to bat with him!
That is very good news.