Article originally posted by The (Elizabethtown) News-Enterprise directed to:http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/content/public-gives-feedback-vision-project

 

 

Public gives feedback on Vision Project

By John Friedlein

 

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm

By JOHN FRIEDLEIN

jfriedlein@thenewsenterprise.com

The public on Thursday had a chance to weigh in on two dozen goals that may help shape Hardin County during the next decade and beyond.

While some of the Hardin County Vision project proposals — such as allowing alcohol sales in urban areas and unifying the county’s school districts — could be contentious, those topics were not brought up by a handful of audience members who offered suggestions and asked questions.

Comments instead tended to focus on development and governance.

The forum was one of several ways the project is compiling information to help leaders decide on how the county should move forward as it grows along with nearby Fort Knox. Other efforts have included surveys and assessments of similar communities.

A community leader organization — Hardin County United — was formed to analyze the goals and figure out if and how they should be implemented.

The forum achieved its goal of garnering community feedback, said Harry Berry, the group’s chairman and county judge-executive.

Dozens of residents attended.

Before the microphones at the Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center in Radcliff were opened for comments, Berry and project consultant Luke B. Schmidt gave an overview of the findings so far.

The presentation included a slide show about projects in other communities that have led to growth. For instance, Bowling Green’s minor league baseball stadium draws thousands of consumers downtown. And a Mississippi county merged its economic development groups, lured in a large Russian steel company and raises money in the community to further its growth.

The Vision project, which was funded by the Department of Defense, stresses unification — whether it be schools or governments.

It also addresses quality-of-life issues, such as developing a community YMCA and drawing young professionals to downtown Elizabethtown with restaurants and housing.

Radcliff City Councilman Stan Holmes said he has not seen the project mention the revitalization of Radcliff and Vine Grove, specifically.

Schmidt said one of the goals has been reworded to include community business districts in general.

Someone else wanted assurance that all parts of the county — especially around Glendale — would be represented.

And a question was asked about what sort of taxes would cover unified police and fire departments.

Berry said that would have to be considered.

Many specifics still must be hammered out. The formation of Hardin County United was announced a few days ago.

Berry urged others to become involved in the process.

For more information, visit, www.hcky.org.

John Friedlein can be reached at (270) 505-1746