By Sheila Hollin
Guest columnist
As our community continues to grow, we find ourselves at a critical crossroads regarding the future of the property formerly known as the Yokohama building. The City of Versailles, the Woodford County Fiscal Court, and the Woodford Economic Development Authority (EDA) are currently working toward a joint purchase of this facility.
This is more than just a real estate transaction; it is a vital step in protecting the quality of life for Stonegate, the families who utilize the Woodford Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) fields, and every neighbor in this corridor.
Why Community Control Matters
When a private, outside developer purchases a site of this scale, the community often loses its seat at the table. Without local government intervention, we have little to no say in who moves in next door. A community-led purchase ensures that we—the people who live and work here—control the “end user” of that facility.
If we do not act to control this site, we risk the arrival of: heavy polluters, industries that could impact our air and water quality, data centers, operations that consume massive amounts of energy and water while providing almost no local jobs; large-scale warehousing/distribution facilities that bring constant semi-truck traffic, loud noise and 24/7 light pollution to our backyards; and low-revenue entities, businesses that pay little to no occupational tax, failing to contribute their fair share to our local schools, roads and emergency services.
Protecting Our Neighborhood
By supporting the purchase of this facility, we are choosing opportunity over uncertainty. Control allows us to recruit businesses that bring high-quality jobs, respect our noise ordinances and contribute to the economic health of Woodford County without compromising the peace of our residential areas.
We want a neighbor that provides good-paying jobs for our residents—not a warehouse that turns our local roads into a high-traffic industrial zone.
Take Action
We need your voice. The decision rests with the members of the Woodford County Fiscal Court and Versailles City Council. It is essential that the magistrate and councilperson representing this area hear from you immediately.
Please contact your respective magistrate and demand that they vote to support the community purchase of the Yokohama building. If you reside in the third district, the district most affected, Darrell Varner, our magistrate, can be reached at 859-490-0335, dvarner@woodfordcountyky.gov.
You can find your magistrate and their contact information at www.woodfordcountyky.gov/163/Fiscal-Court. Councilmembers are elected citywide, so you can contact all of them by going to this link to find their phone number and email: versailles.klc.org/Blog/42/your-local-government.
Ask them to stand with the residents of Stonegate and the families of WYSA – really, all of Woodford County. Tell them that you support local control over what happens in our backyard to ensure we avoid “bad neighbor” businesses and instead secure a future of growth, safety and prosperity.
Our neighborhood’s future depends on our ability to control our own destiny. Let’s make sure our leadership hears us loud and clear.
Editor’s Note: Sheila Hollin has been a Woodford County resident for over 50 years and is a retired educator, having taught in Woodford County Public Schools for 27 years.