Ed. note: The subject of Our Smokies, Our Future and those who are against the process has been a topic we have reported on for some time. As the story continues to evolve, the Herald felt it would be best to publish a multi-part series in order to provide the community with in-depth coverage.

Pastor Rob Bremer (The Herald/ Archived Photo)

While most Sevier County residents may have at least a few ideas about how the area can be improved, one of the main grievances of the self-labeled “visioning process” Our Smokies, Our Future is the manner in which many of the meetings have been conducted.That conduct often involved uniform and vague responses from facilitators that many local opponents of the process said they were met with as they questioned the way certain aspects of the meeting were directed.“Several tactics seem to be used to manufacture consensus,” said Pastor Rob Bremer, an active opponent of OSOF. “For example, having one of the planted supporters immediately suggest commonly accepted items such as clean air, clean water, protect the environment. Of course, everyone would agree with these items. But, when someone

suggests protecting personal property, or keeping decisions on a local level without United Nations influence, or other freedoms that are foundational, this is looked at as being confrontational.”

Bremer, who has experience as both a local and national facilitator for major companies such as Chrysler and State Farm Insurance, said the way the meetings are conducted raises further concerns for him that OSOF is part of United Nations Program called Agenda 21.

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