News

Passed by the McLean County Libertarian Party Central Committee on February 8, 2023 

Whereas, the Town of Normal Trustees refused to allow the establishment of High Haven, a legitimate business complying with all local and state law, from operating near the Shoppes at College Hills as a result of their vote at the February 6, 2023, regular meeting;

Whereas, Town Trustees previously identified the area in question as a possible location for a cannabis dispensary when considering cannabis legalization and zoning regulations within the Town in 2019;

Whereas, the Town of Normal Trustees failed to follow the recommendation of the Town's professional staff based on legal and professional standards, failed to follow the recommendation of the Town's Zoning Board of Appeals based on legal standards, and voted arbitrarily and capriciously to deny the Special Use Permit High Haven sought;

Whereas, Monday's vote instituted illogical standards and an unpredictable future for the local economy and prospective businesses, including a volatile climate for business owners both currently operating in Normal or looking to move to Normal;

Whereas, the Town of Normal Trustees have defied free market economics by using predatory public policy against certain industries, restricting the supply of goods and services in those industries and restricting local competition in the marketplace in said industries;

Whereas, the Libertarian Party of McLean County unequivocally believes in the free choice of individuals to buy, sell, and use goods and services, providing that they do not cause harm to other individuals or their property;

Whereas, the Libertarian Party of McLean County holds free market economic policy core to its values and beliefs and encourages Normal’s elected officials to create policies to improve the economic climate in the Town of Normal;

Therefore, be it resolved, the Libertarian Party of McLean County:

1) condemns the behavior of the Town of Normal Trustees – specifically Trustees Nord, Preston, Lorenz, Smith, McCarthy, and Mayor Koos – all of whom voted against business development in the Town of Normal at the February 6, 2023 regular meeting.

2) urges the Trustees and Mayor to immediately cease the practice of predatory policy against specific individuals, business owners, and industries.