The very few less-than-positive responses we've had from folks currently living in Benewah County are interesting, but not unexpected. Every large project encounters pushback, even by people who have much in common with the "new folks". It's human nature.
Folks in Benewah are preppers - so are the folks coming to the Citadel.
Folks in Benewah like Liberty - so do the folks coming to the Citadel.
Folks in Benewah like the country lifestyle, the mountains, the fishing - so do the folks coming to the Citadel.
The folks in the Citadel will essentially live on their own 3,000 acres and won't be trespassing on anyone's private property.
The folks in the Citadel will get their hair cut in Benewah County - I bet the barber's and hair salons will like that.
The folks in the Citadel will need wells - I bet the well companies in Benewah will like that.
The folks in the Citadel will like hunting & fishing - I bet the local Guides will like that.
The folks in the Citadel will need propane, cut wood and fuel oil - I bet those companies will be pleased.
The folks in the Citadel will wear clothes - I bet the dress shops and clothing stores will like that.
The folks in the Citadel will be hiring people - I bet the unemployed in Benewah will like that.
The folks in the Citadel will eat - I bet the diners and livestock ranches will like that.
The new Citadel residents will be opening dozens of new businesses - I bet the local papers and radio stations will love the new ad revenue.
If the average Benewah resident, right now, is a hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, shooter, prepper, survivalist, you'd think he wouldn't mind having a few thousand more like-minded people nearby who mind their own business, stay on their own property, are good neighbors, yet are willing to cover his back if ever needed. It's not like the folks in the Citadel are California Hippies.
3,000 acres is a tiny sliver of Benewah County, probably will never be seen by a single resident of the county who doesn't come looking for it.
Wal-Mart won't be coming to town. Skyscrapers won't be on the horizon.
The only problem I see is that a few locals feel as if they weren't properly asked for their permission.
We aren't at that stage yet. But the naysayers found out about this new project because they are preppers - and the project is a town of preppers.
Frankly, I don't see the downside for anyone.
III
If you think your plan is so great, go out & market it. Anyone can post comments. Take it to the county Commissioners, take out a page in the paper do something other than telling us how great you are and how lucky we will be to have a "few thousand" more people JUSTTTTT like us. But this is our county & we damn well have a right to know what kind of group of people are building what kind of compound here. You want to sell that knock yourself out. :) Ive sent your link to several of my friends here. I got a reply back from one in about 3 minutes "who the f&*k are these people. ya good luck with that
ReplyDeleteNiteWatcher: That's exactly what is being done right now - marketing and working out the details.
DeleteYour critique is helpful to us.
Thank you.
your welcome trying to do my part :)
ReplyDeleteNitewatcher, what in specific about this do you not like?
ReplyDeleteOr is it fear of the unknown? This would be completely understandable. I would be apprehensive and question such an endeavour if it was moving into my back yard.
That is my point. Ask us questions, learn about the Citadel and discover who we are before you pass judgment. Giving us insight into your concerns and fears would be greatly appreciated. I believe I'm correct in saying that none of us want to bully or strong arm our way in.
RedWulf
Dear Citadel members,
ReplyDeleteIs there a faq or somewhere with more information on the details of how this community will play out?
If not, how will this community ensure it has the capacity to survive when SHTF? Is this just a money making scheme to take people's retirement money (I'm assuming the up front cost is quite high, to build a wall and what not)?
Thank you.
We are putting the finishing touches on the FAQ. Expect it up this week.
DeleteInteresting that you guys are doing this - I just wrote a novel about a community on the ocean - would you guys be interested in learning more?
ReplyDeletewww.flotillaonline.com
Regards,
Dan
How do the residents plan to earn money?
ReplyDeleteIII Arms will provide initial jobs, then as people move and open businesses other jobs will become available, just like in any community.
DeleteWe'll have a FAQ page up soon.
I would like to open a Computer and Network Support business in the Citadel. I have over 20 years in the business and am a Conservative American. I can help build our network throughout the Citadel as well as a monitored seciruity system
DeleteMy Company name will be Liberty Systems!
I am a South Louisiana boy (Cajun) and love to cook..
ReplyDeleteConstruction materials will need to be acquired, most of which will be local.
It will take YEARS to build the Citadel, not to mention the surrounding homes and businesses of folks who want to live near, but not in, the actual Citadel. This will result in at least a half decade of a boom in construction, which will employ more than a few local people who are skilled in these areas.
There will be tax revenue that will go to your county that every Benewah resident will be a beneficiary of.
People will be coming together from all over the country. And, the bottom line is, they have every right to do so. All 50 states are open to American Citizens, and although every effort is being made to graciously answer questions and concerns, and not 'strong-arm' our way in, the bottom line is that every American has just as much right to live wherever they wish to live, and doesn't need to ask anyone else's 'permission' to do so.
If someone wanted to move next door to me or buy that apple orchard on the corner and get it zoned for commercial and build a BP station there, I might not like it, but there's not a darn thing I could do about it. Nor, could I rightly have anything to complain about, if I was actually living in Rightful Liberty, as it would neither break my leg nor pick my pocket.
But growing up in a small town, I do 'get it', believe me.
You want to know who's moving in, and that's perfectly understandable.
As has been mentioned 3,000 acres is a tiny slice of the county. Those who don't deliberately seek us out, won't even know we're there.
Other than the increased size of the county coffers, the vastly increased incomes of local businesses, and the employment offered to those who are currently out of work, that is.
Current residents of Benewah county will only benefit from the Citadel's presence. You'll have a place to ply your trade and sell your goods and services, and should you choose to visit the Citadel itself, you'll have a marketplace unlike anything you've ever seen. There will be products there that you can purchase that will be very high quality and in many cases, hand made. And they will be at honest and fair prices.
It's a win-win for everyone.
No one is stepping on anyone's toes, no one is building a skyscraper in anyone's backyard.
Folks are just building a private housing development on private land. If you choose to be a part of it, or visit it, then great. If not, then you'll be free to ignore it and your life will continue exactly as it had before you ever heard of the Citadel, as it will affect you not at all in any direct tangible way if you so choose.
So, Benewah, if you wish to reap the benefit of good neighbors, you are more than welcome to do so. All the folks I've spoken to that will be moving to Benewah are talking about how great it will be to get to know the local people there, and they are very excited about doing so. There's a unique opportunity there. Planned communities like this will be cropping up all over the nation in the next few years. This is the first, but it won't be the last. Others will see the concept, and run with it based upon their own goals and ideas. But Benewah County will have the honor and bragging rights to say that it was the first. :)
However, if you want to just flat out ignore us, you can also do so. Your life won't change one bit unless you want it to. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Hi, what about the road? who pays to build the new one that will be needed? The Benewah & Alder ck. roads are at or near the max now. there is not power, water or sewer for to many more then live there now. We are a poor Co. & do not want our taxs to go up any. so what is the plan for these things?
DeletePEACE, Logger/Rancher
As a small rifle manufacturer, it would be a good idea to have a small shop their that produces ammunition. Also a 07 manufacturer for weapons. This will intell the BATFE to be able to access the property, so you may want to have the licensee to be possibly off site. This would generate revenue and product for emergencies.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI represent a small group of families in Michigan. Like you, we have been persecuted by our government and our neighbours for our religious and political beliefs. We believe that the indulgent and hedonistic nature of our society will soon be it's downfall, and are taking the necessary steps to prepare!!
It's a huge relief to find other like minded people, and I can't wait to start the application process. Your belief in traditional values is a perfect match with our Islamic faith.
We are very independent and tend to keep to ourselves, but as a good neighbor I will offer open Quran study sessions, and invite my neighbors to observe our prayer sessions. I find it's best when everyone understands each other!!
Thanks again, and I look forward to sharing a community with you all!!
I would suggest that you do more reading as to what we are about, as I don't get where you think we are persecuted.
DeleteWe look forward to receiving your application, and please be sure to read the Patriot agreement closely. on Patriot Agreement
Hi Miss Violet,
DeleteThank you for your response! I have read the Patriot Agreement, and I have to say that it looks great! I am a big believer in maintaining an armed society to avoid government persecution. My friends and our families in fact already train our children on firearms and firearms safety, so we will be well prepared.
Too funny. If there's one thing I am, it's prescient. That didn't take long at all.
DeleteWell handled, though. Hey Mahmoud...I'm trying to get people to be MORE hedonistic! Well, rationally hedonistic anyway. And more...that's what I think America is all about. Y'know, all that "pursuit of happiness" jive. I'm glad there's enough room in Michigan for both of us. Especially these days, eh?
A jokester in every bunch "you all." Lol...
DeleteBoarshide
How do you plan on building this wall of over 1 mile? This is my biggest question, lofty goals but most Castles bankrupted their Lords and were built nearly on slave labor.
ReplyDeleteI estimate with current price models that a 1 mile perimeter at 15ft heigh & 5ft base width you are looking at at minimum of 2.25 Million dollars. This does take into consideration commercial purchase of concrete, grading, subbase material, forms and cost of reinforcement. This does not account for a strong Gate house, Keep or walkways/stair on top of the wall.
Im not 100% sure, but I think I know where there 20 acres are now. And you can dig down about 4' and basalt stops all digging. But what do I know I just live here :)
ReplyDeleteWell, you got us there partner. Us knuckle dragging Neanderthals would never think to check for power or water access before buying a property to put a firearms factory on. And we would never follow John Robb and his ResilientCommunities.com where he talks about rainwater collection and cisterns and recycling and we would certainly never have heard of xerescaping (look it up, it's a dictionary word) to conserve water. Guess we'll just have to give up and slink back to our caves. ;-)
DeleteVJ
When the tanks come amassing at the gate, and the drones rain fire from above the clouds, after all supply lines have been severed, and your communications hacked...
ReplyDeleteWhat's for dinner after you've eaten the kids?
Until we started talking about this project I didn't realize there were actually people this paranoid out there. We get variations on this one from time to time.
DeleteLet's follow this particular train of thought as it jumps the tracks, plunges over the cliff and crashes into the bottom of the canyon.
So, here we have our gated community. Law abiding citizens who pay their taxes. A firearms company that is licensed and inspected by the BATF. Shops and trades people doing their business. Tourism and commerce with anyone who wants to come to town. Men, women and children going to work, going to school, playing at the playground, shopping at the town center. We may even get a tv special about us because we will be somewhat unique.
Clearly, these people need to be killed. All 5000 to 10,000 of them. Especially after the tv special, it will be easy for the government to explain away all those burnt, dead bodies as being terrorists. People all over the country will breathe a sigh of relief that all those evil terrorists are dead, especially those one and two year olds since they are super dangerous.
Let me clue you in here, anon. If you really believe this is true, then you have to believe that the government is already monitoring all of our communications and that, just by coming here, you are now on the list of those to be "taken care of" when the ideological purges start. After all, your thoughts may have been tainted by our Liberty oriented philosophy. Can't take any chances, you know.
VJ
Two words,
DeleteBigger bullseye.
I don't live anywhere near there, though the place sounds beautiful, (if cold in the winter.)
However, if someone does decide to demonize you, that television special will be slanted to make you look like a bunch of racist rednecks, even if they couldn't get anyone to actually say anything racist.
It becomes "a village of Militia Separatists in a part of the country known for it's Separatist leanings and racist history".
Oh, and someone WILL decide to demonize you. If they can demonize YOU, who stand opposite them, they can point out how Reasonable THEY are, for just wanting everyone to help tend the poor and sick, the downtrodden and hurt. You're not against helping the poor and sick, are you?
I'm not saying it's true. I'm saying the lefties will vilify you and this may have repercussions for your neighbors.
Good luck on your project, but for those who are timid of having more eyes cast in their direction, I understand their concern.
And those who fear a bunch of Connecticut Yankees instead of a round table, I understand how they might come to that assumption too.
Good luck, Mr. Pendragon.
VJ, I am African American and look forward to joining your community. If the MSM wants to demonize your community, I will be more than happy to go to bat for you and let the public know the truth. I truly have high hopes for the community and have become enthusiastic about a project such as this coming to fruition. My prayers are with you! techengine@engineer.com
DeletePeople have been conditioned to distrust because it serves those in power to have us divided. Rightful Liberty is a unifying philosophy. As people like you and I live this philosophy in the Citadel our actions will shout the truth far louder than any words could. Welcome to our community.
DeleteVJ
After reading through all this stuff, I think the biggest issue will be the supposed self-perpetuating economy. What is there to make the community inside the walls' economy better than the one in any other small town in the area? Unemployment in that county is over 10%... over 14% live below the poverty line... One small gun factory will be the spark to start the local economy? Or is it the "quality" of the people who move in you are counting on?
ReplyDeleteThe III Arms Co. will provide the inital jobs. As people move in and start business to provide products and services to the residents other jobs will become available. There are also other business that the Citadel is looking into, some with local reach, some with national reach.
ReplyDeleteYou are on the front page of St. Maries Gazette Record today. Hope the liberals don't run you off. Sound like my kind of people. Would be happy to welcome you to Benewah.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the debate is starting to liven up a bit. No this endeavor will not be perfect, but what endeavor ever is? As far as members of the Muslim community applying (let's say it's real for the sake of argument) why not? the head of the Michigan militia is a Muslim and a patriot, so what?
ReplyDeleteDon't buy into the propaganda that all American Muslims are just terrorists waiting in the wings. .gov and the media have you wrapped around their fingers to the point that any community project could be completely wiped out and not a tear she'd. um, I call b.s. even in Iraq and Afghanistan where the locals actively support armed resistance, we don't carpet bomb whole cities. might that change if things get worse in the future? maybe, but if we reach that point we will all have a he'll of a lot more to worry about . and I suspect the men and women of the citadel would be preoccupied elsewhere at that point.
We are all for more Patriots in this county.
ReplyDeleteHope you pick Benewah.
My first concern is to the locals who hunt and fish in the vicinity of your citadel. These people live where they do for the open areas and lack of people. Adding 5 to 10 thousand people in an area like that could be devastating.
ReplyDeleteHi, we live in N. cent. Ben. Co. logger/rancher. have been reading posts. We had a good laugh when U said it,s not like we are California Hippies...!that's who U all will be living with up the benewah & Alder ck. To bad u would fit right in.. the land u have & are looking to buy is part of,what we loggers call the hippie subdivitions. This Co. is made up of Indians, Hippy-loggers & other hillbillys...there is only about 6000 of us on a good day but we all know each other for the most part.There is about a 1/3 indians..1/3 hippy types & 1/3 logger/ranch ..mill workers...town folks. We moved here in 1890 & 1928 ,so we been here awhile..anyway U all need to get over any INTOLERANCE of hippies, indians, loggers, & med.pot users. That who lives here now, all gun folks too.
ReplyDeleteThis Co. is not like any other in Idaho & we like it just fine. U all sound like you could be made into Benewah Co. types with a little work & open minds on your part. We have room for U folks, but not all in 1 place! We have over 5000 land lots, & 1 can buy most. 5, 10 ,20's all over the Co. There are allso some town sites that might work for you, but not where u are talking about. I know that part of the CO. well & u can take our word for it or not..but it will not work there for you or US, the folks already here. Fit in, buy small lots all over the Co. & join us, & we will made U our own...or not. I have not saw any talk of Panhandle Health District..? 245-4556
These are the people you have to make happy in Cd'A & they are big city govt. types. very hard to deal with. U can farm, log, ranch, but thats about it. You folks will need to deal with them plus the Co. & the State too, for anything big. Better to spread out & fit in, IMHO. :-)
PEACE,
Benewah Logger
We would get along great with genuine California hippies, the peaceful, live and let live types. The fake ones who think they are "green" because they recycle and buy an electric/hybrid car with its toxic battery to "save the planet" are the ones that we would rather avoid. Especially those who think the government should force us all to live according to their ideas.
DeleteWe do have open minds. Jeffersonian Liberty isn't a marketing slogan. It is our fundamental philosophy.
We care about our impact on our neighbors. A relatively compact community such as we propose would likely have a much smaller impact than us spreading out like you suggest. We intend to build all of our own infrastructure, not make other people pay for it with their taxes. Our community will be fairly self contained, so we don't expect to have a big effect on the rest of the county. Local production of food, water and energy ( see John Robb at ResilientCommunities.com ) will be a big part of that. We will bring our own jobs with us, starting with the firearms company. We know we have to bring work with us for this idea to succeed.
Folks like you are very important to this project. We want to make the best decision for ourselves and the county. Your information helps us do that.
We actually think we are Benewah County types. That's one of the big reasons we chose this area. You sound like you would welcome us if we were the right kind of people. I hope we get the chance to prove that we are.
I'm planning on visiting the area this summer. I'll buy you lunch and we can talk about the project if you're up for it.
Peace to you too, Logger. Thanks for your input. Hope we can meet, sometime.
VJ
No Home Ownership Fees. No leader. No Laws. No Enforcement. No Police.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Anarchy to me. LOL
I'm a small rifle builder and have a 07/02 manufacturer license. I would love to live in a town of Liberty. God Bless this endeavour.
ReplyDeleteHi Vernon,
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you. In the list of FAQs, it states that,
"Plot sizes for the leases inside the walls will be no more than 1 acre for home sites, and larger lots will be available outside the walls.
Inside the walls will be more urban/city/town, and outside the walls will be more rural/farmland."
Further, it states that,
"One of the primary reasons for a lease paradigm versus private property inside the walls is our desire to make the community for Patriots only."
Does this mean that the lots outside the walls will not be leased but rather purchased?
If so, do the prices reflected on the lease calculator for homes outside the walls not include the additional fees for owning the property?
I've read on some posts that only properties inside the walls will be leased but the leasing calculator seems to suggest that properties both inside and outside the walls will be leased.
Further, I've read that the leases will be "paid off" in 30 years. Are these a kind of rent-to-own type lease then?
I have more questions but would really like the opportunity to speak with someone about them. I have a very comfortable occupation but I am really fond of the idea of moving to a part of the country to start something new with like-minded freedom-loving Patriots.
Yours truly,
Fed-up American.
You'll be an asset to our state. I won't be joining your community but look forward to visiting & doing some business with you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to our wonderful state.
ReplyDeleteMost of us Idaho natives are very happy to have people of your caliber join our state. Usually liberals are drawn here for our natural beauty. They fly in for the day to ski and fly back out to the east coast, burning just over 800 gallons of fuel while telling us that we're evil for driving a farm truck and have morals or religion.
Look forward to visiting and maybe doing some business with you in the future.