Letter to the Editor from Patty Avery

The Zoning and Land Use subcommittee of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Consolidation Committee is to be commended for taking time to consider the concerns that have been voiced about the impact on farmers of simply overlaying the city’s ordinances on county residents.

As the subcommittee finalizes its recommendations, I urge them to remember that Vanderburgh County farms are small businesses. Many of their families were the original economic development engines as Southwestern Indiana took shape, and their ability to do business and be financially viable must not be negatively impacted by a consolidation effort.

Proponents of consolidation say they want a streamlined local government that creates a climate more conducive to economic development. Demand for locally-grown agricultural products is increasing. That means that a vibrant agricultural community is a boost to economic development. It would be short-sighted to not adopt the measures needed to protect the county’s family farms.

At Vanderburgh County Farm Bureau’s recent annual meeting, committee member John Bittner and Indiana Farm Bureau Vice President Randy Kron discussed the organization’s very real concerns about the proposals that are pending regarding consolidation of Evansville and Vanderburgh County. For consolidation to be a “win-win” for both urban and rural residents, Kron said, it is vital for the committee to fully consider consolidation’s lasting impact on those of us who live in or farm in rural Vanderburgh County.

For a final recommendation to result in a “win-win”, it should include establishment of ordinances and a tax structure that protect our area farms in any proposed transition to a consolidated government.

Sincerely,

Patty Avery