March 19, 2013: Our readers write

Thank a farmer today

“If you eat you’re involved in agriculture.” For the last few years, I, as a farmer, have been told to get out and “tell your story.” Bringing wholesome, nutritious food to the nation’s tables is my story.

In most families, we are now three generations removed from the farm. With this in mind, we need to tell these generations how their food is produced. Food is not produced at Kroger, Wal-Mart or any of the various grocery stores around the country.

Few people realize the cup of coffee they enjoy each morning was made with beans grown and picked by a farmer. Their cereal, milk, bread, fruit, vegetables, fish and meat products also began with a farmer. From daybreak to sundown, agriculture has been a part of their day.

In some cases, when people think of agriculture, they think only of big farms as our primary food providers. They fail to think of those farmers who sell their fresh produce at farmers markets or the small garden plot in the back yard or that container on the patio with a tomato plant. These all are agriculturally related. You could be that farmer.

Remember, just because you didn’t raise that food product doesn’t mean you are not involved in agriculture.

Thank you for your involvement by helping those who work daily to bring a quality food product to your dining table.

Chuck Crutcher

Rineyville

Move will motivate future votes

Some of us were not at all surprised to read Hardin County Judge-Executive Harry Berry and his magistrates have voted to relocate county government offices away from downtown. I recall this has been a plan since Berry’s first term, but he was unable to get a majority of magistrates to agree until this latest election.

Visualize how down-town will look when this relocation happens: There are several empty buildings as it is, think how many more there will be. How will these empty buildings appear to visitors? It saddens me to think how empty the heart of our city will look.

Last week, Berry stated, “County government is not abandoning downtown but seeking larger quarters because it has outgrown its existing place.” Most people are not aware of an earlier proposal that Elizabeth-town city government made to the county to assist with the purchase, demolition and construction of a government building on the old Herb Jones property. Adding that space to what county government currently occupies should give sufficient space downtown.

The R.R. Thomas building could possibly “be sold by a commercial or real estate prospect.” If this were true, why hasn’t county government purchased the old Newberry’s and other vacant buildings?

Last week Magistrate Fred Clem stated the county offices were a “hindrance to downtown growth.” If this is the case, why haven’t the vacant buildings been purchased for businesses?

A recent Since You Asked question on the front page asked, “Are you in favor of county government being moved to a new location?” Thirty-nine percent of respondents were in fa-vor; 61 percent were opposed. Although the numbers speak for themselves, I fear county officials did not or will not reconsider their decision.

If this relocation be-comes reality, downtown Elizabethtown may well be considered somewhat of a ghost town. So much of our local history is located in this area, so imagine the appearance to those seeking to learn about the city and county’s past.

I have no idea what county voters will do in the next election, but I do know how I will vote.

Linda P. Irwin

Elizabethtown