County planning director honored for farm, city relations

The director of the county’s planning and development commission has been recognized for his work helping both urban and rural residents.

Chris Hunsinger was named the 41st recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for Farm-City Relations.

The announcement was made during Farm-City Day earlier this month. The event is hosted by the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce and the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service to promote understanding and cooperation between residents from rural and urban environments.

The annual award recognizes a local resident who has worked toward that goal.

Hunsinger was appointed as director of the commission in 1997 after serving in other roles on the commission and working at the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission in Versailles.

His work at the Hardin County commission has included helping in planning efforts for an overhaul of the county’s zoning ordinance, helping to secure a voluntary agricultural zone and coordinating of the transformation during the Base Closure and Realignment initiative.

Wesley Wright, senior planner for the planning and development commission, said Hunsinger does a good job representing urban and rural interests, especially when addressing Hardin Fiscal Court.

“He doesn’t always make each side happy, but he represents both fairly and equally,” he said.

Wright said Hunsinger’s dedication to fairness allows him to promote interests in all areas of the county and get interested parties involved in government decisions and actions.

“He’s able to see both sides of the coin,” he said. “Fair and balanced is how he operates, and that’s his responsibility.”

Hunsinger was unavailable for comment.

Amber Coulter can be reached at (270) 505-1746 or acoulter@thenewsenterprise.com.