Switch parties? No thank you.
Before we attempt to make the Republican Party sound like the best thing since sliced bread, a few facts should be considered.
Which party gives tax breaks to the wealthy? Republican.
Which party espouses “limited government” and yet wants to deny women the right to make decisions regarding their own bodies? Republican.
Which party is headed by a convicted felon and sexual abuser? Republican.
Which party is doing its best to implement the “drill baby drill” mentality and weaken/abolish existing environmental regulations? Republican.
Which party refuses to raise the minimum wage? Republican
Which party empowers an unelected billionaire to fire federal workers and have access to personal information of every American? Republican.
So yes, let us talk about small town values and commitment to faith. Let us embrace individual liberty and economic prosperity. We urge everyone to resist Republican initiatives that threaten our way of life. Stand up, stand together, stand strong. United we stand, divided we fall.
James and Deborah Webb
Woodford County
In-family conveyance recommendations
I have been following zoning and land use issues in Woodford County for over 30 years and appreciate the coverage the Sun affords these matters that are critical to the maintenance of the quality of life that the people of our county are privileged to enjoy.
I read with interest the front page story in last week’s paper about the Fiscal Court’s decision to put off a vote on amending the ordinances governing in-family conveyances. There is no doubt that the ordinances need to be changed because the in-family conveyances have been an unmitigated disaster thus far. I’m glad they delayed because I think there are two of the proposed changes to the ordinances that will actually further exacerbate the situation.
I agree with Magistrate Lyles Taylor that mandating future in-family conveyances be a minimum of five acres will lead to a further loss of farmland. The intent of the in-family conveyances was to allow family members to stay on the farm and, hopefully, continue farming. Retaining the current one acre size makes it much more likely that this will happen.
The other change being considered is the requirement that the conveyed parcel must be platted to touch a public right of way. This change would see us return to the “piano key” residential development along our rural roadways that our zoning laws were crafted to discourage over 30 years ago. It would be moving us in the wrong direction.
The other proposed changes are all excellent and should help undo the damage that has been an unintended consequence of the in-family conveyance ordinances currently on the books.
While on the subject of zoning, I would also strongly urge that the small community zone be reduced from a one-mile radius to no more than a half-mile, or better yet a quarter-mile radius. The smaller the size, the more likely it will force residential development to actually reinforce the existing small communities rather than be widely scattered around their peripheries.
Evan Miller
Versailles