Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Code and Regulation Committee of the City of Rockford met on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 5:30 PM to consider a resolution that would advance the public process for proposed zoning text amendments regulating data centers. The resolution would direct the zoning officer to file a zoning application and schedule a public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The committee heard public comments and debated whether to advance the staff-drafted regulations immediately or hold the item for further council input.
Here. Three present. Um, we will start off with the prayer. I don't believe that Chaplin Hendley is here. Um, would you mind leading us in a prayer? Which are in heaven, how it be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us the say our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. Our first speaker is Mr. Robert Hayes. I'm going to speak this evening about the uh legislation that's being proposed. I I did read the eight pages that I saw online, mostly related to environmental issues, and I'm going to talk about another angle, which I don't think most people are thinking about. Um these data centers are nothing more than a 21st century equivalent to the 45 years that the iron curtain existed. Between 18 1989 and 1991, the Iron Curtain was torn down, and communist Eastern Europe was reunited with Western Europe where democracy still existed. Those who uh lived under the 45 years of the communist rule were subject to to warrantless searches, state-run propaganda, and severe uh penalties for not holding or the party line or narrative. Does that sound familiar, especially during the COVID years? I don't think we're going to be able to stop these data centers. So the best thing we can do is add a section called ethical usage to control how our data can be used. Once the new digital monetary system is in place and our money is converted to a new programmable currency, those who program the AEI algorithms will be able to control where we can travel, what we can purchase, and what we can view, and how and what we think. In essence, control our lives. I wanted to let you do your own research on what you think ethical usage could be or should be, but I will refer you to two people, Catherine Austin Fitz and Tristan Harris. And those will be resources so that you can get a perspective on what you think ethical usage should be. Thank you. Our next speaker is uh Mr. Denzel Winter. I think we'll come back to Mr. Winter. Um third speaker is Mr. Edwin Zeyner. Thank you very much. Um Dr. Edwin Zayner. One second, Mr. Zaner. You're good. Mr. Winter, we'll have uh Mr. Zaner speak, and then uh you can speak, Mr. Winter, okay. Thank you. Mr. Zaner, go ahead. This is my timer.