I have learned of the recent death of Miss Elizabeth C. Smith
of Blandair farm, Columbia. We were friends for 29 years. I first
met her in 1968 as a result of an article I wrote in the Constructive
Conservative praising the concept of the planned city of Columbia.
She wrote to me asking if I would like some first-hand information
- the picture was not as rosy as it might seem at first blush.
I accepted the invitation, and she took me to visit several people
who had been harmed by the shameful and unethical behavior of
some of the developers and the Howard County Commission. She was
paying their legal fees as they sought justice.
Soon, she would become involved in legal battles concerning her
own property, which continue to this day. She wanted to leave
her farm, with a substantial endowment to maintain it, to the
public as a green space; she did not want it "developed"
for any reason. As she proceeded, it became clear to her that
the developers and the Howard County Commission had engaged in
even more shameful and unethical behavior. Instead of planning
to use land purchased for development from willing sellers
for infrastructure like roads, schools and other public purposes,
the developers and the County Commission deliberately planned
to build those facilities on the land of those who wanted to continue
to farm or who, like Miss Smith, wanted to preserve some green
space for future generations. If that were allowed to continue,
Miss Smith reasoned, eventually there would be no farmland left
between the east coast and the Mississippi River. Thus, she enlarged
her battle.
A strong-minded individual, Miss Smith was a conservative in the
most honorable of ways. She was an advocate of individual liberty
and of individual responsibility. She saw the individual as responsible
for treating his neighbor fairly and for coming to his neighbor's
aid when needed. She was a strong advocate of the free-market
system, but saw how it can be abused and distorted when not subject
to the restraints of ethics.
As a farmer for 60 years, Miss Smith saw her role as a steward
of the land. She engaged only in organic farming practices because
she respected the environment. Because of the development of neighboring
land, her farm has become the last refuge for many wild creatures,
and she was happy to have them there. Her farm continues to be
managed by Mr. James Douglas and Mr. Curtis Atkins. The legal
documents to establish an endowed foundation to preserve her land
in the way she wished were delivered to her the day before she
died, but she died before signing them. Let us hope that Miss
Smith's heirs will be as public spirited as she.
Miss Smith gave generous financial support to various charitable,
conservative, and environmental causes throughout her life.
Miss Smith, your legacy is an honorable one. The world is a richer
place for your having lived. Those who have had you as a friend
have been blessed. You are missed.
Byron C. Hall, Jr.