Political courage is a rare commodity these days. It means doing the right thing even if it results in getting voted out of office. Sandy Carter Herndon gets my vote as Political Hero. Sandy helped lead the fight for land use planning in Alleghany County. Monday, Herndon and the other members of the Alleghany County Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a sweeping zoning ordinance for the mountain county which includes Sparta, Roaring Gap and Glade Valley. The catalyst for the vote was a racetrack for riding lawnmowers constructed last year in the middle of a neighborhood near the Blue Ridge Parkway. It should be pointed out that I was a plaintiff in the successful lawsuit which permanently shut down that racetrack. A Sparta jury ruled on April 27 the track was a nuisance and should be closed. The commissioners knew they had to move toward zoning to keep Alleghany County from becoming a dumping ground for undesirable industry. The county’s greatest attribute is its natural beauty which needs to be protected. I salute Sandy and the other commissioners for their decision. Sandy was quoted by the Winston-Salem Journal as saying: "I believe this will position us for the right kind of growth. I believe it will protect every person's property rights. It's really the golden rule - do unto others as you would have done to you. If you respect your own property rights and you respect the property rights of others as much as you respect your own, you'll have no problem with this ordinance." One elderly zoning supporter sized up her sentiments about Sandy Herndon this way: “She’s our Angel from Alleghany.” Amen!