Editorial:
Submitted by Joe Redmon
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Change. What a concept. According to the Publisher in last week's Messenger, it would seem the Messenger seeks to change. Color me “interested.”
If our local newspaper wishes to take seriously its unique role to inform our community regarding local government - its responsibilities, authority, role, and actual functioning - who could possibly be against this? Not me. And certainly no elected official with whom I’m familiar. I would simply ask to earn a participation trophy during the effort!
The muckraking anonymutt Professor Conrad Doyle continues to be given free reign to rant. And if that is the price of change for the Messenger, I think we should be willing to pay it. Proceed, Professor Doyle. Last week you wasted our time and tipped your hand as to your true identity. You’re obviously in politics - as only a politician can rant for more than 600 words and say absolutely nothing.
For my fellow citizens reading the Messenger - Professor Doyle is a metaphor - the equivalent of our publisher trying to gain attention for the Messenger by running nude down the middle lane of Broadway. And I wish to give Rena some measure of credit for the spectacle. Kudos. Newsstand sales are up. You even have Citizen Joe once again donating a weekly buck to the cause. Yes - reading Professor Doyle’s pointless rants is a shameful exercise, reminding me of people rubber-necking at a bad traffic accident. But, I think this increase in newspaper circulation reflects an honest seeking of more information about how things are going and people are starved for information on Nucor, specifically. Leadership should pay closer attention to this.
The Nucor deal wasn’t hatched here nor were the details negotiated, here. Local taxing incentives were an important, but small piece of the complicated negotiations. Brandenburg was one of several sites Nucor visited and some of the others were here in Kentucky. Our location wasn’t ideal, as Nucor preferred more acreage. But, we won the process due to our willingness to cooperate, our public schools, our local leadership’s willingness to support and manage change, our potential workforce, our proximity to an international airport, etc. In other words - kudos to our leadership for making Meade County competitive in this process. Please don't listen to the farmers and Professor Doyle - go do it, again!
As I recall, it was pretty clear the riverport granary would need to be moved. “Why couldn’t they just leave the granary there?” Why should Nucor do that? Especially since there are other very suitable locations for the granary within our county? Especially when there exists a history of animosity between CGB & Nucor in other locales? We continue to have more river coast than any other Kentucky county. What is the problem with our making use of another location? Hey, farmers, don’t whine about driving an extra few miles to Battletown. Is Battletown closer for you than Owensboro? Stop opposing Meade County! Stop standing in the way of our community participating in economic growth and diversifying our own economy!
Much of these sorts of maneuvers require a measure of secrecy. Obviously, some do not. This community should continue to agitate for more information. But, do not allow yourself to adopt Professor Doyle’s cynicism. The cynic would rather stand aside and denigrate everything around us. Don’t allow yourself to be cynical about this community’s success in attracting Nucor. Meet with or call your elected officials and encourage them to stand their ground and report what & when they can. We want another granary - but, we certainly don’t need one. And if the farmers would rather sue us than do business, we should save our money and move forward without it and them. Our future lies with Nucor, not a few dozen farmers who selfishly seek to feather their own nests.