WHEN REASONED ARGUMENT FAILS, TRY INTIMIDATION

There was a big nasty show of force last night down south of here in Jackson County, where the County Commission is considering a moratorium on growth while ordinances are written to regulate steep-slope development and other problems.

From 1990 to 2000 the population of Jackson County increased 23 percent -- almost double the national average. The population is expected to increase 17 percent between 2000 and 2010.

Don't you DARE tell us to stop selling concrete and cutting into banks, cried developers and their henchmen.

"We didn't come to cause trouble," said Randy Dillard, manager of Toxaway Concrete, thus naming their intent while denying it.

We'll be interested in how this plays out on March 8th, when the Jackson County Commission will vote on the proposed moratorium.