Speak up, be heard; your voice can make a difference on issues

 Our voices can make a difference.

I expressed concern two weeks ago in my column over a proposal by Carrollton City Council to allow extended stays at the new Two Rivers Campground.

This was something local residents opposed in planning meetings for the campground as the master plan was developed for Point Park. We were assured that the facility would only allow stays of up to two weeks.

After publication, I heard from two members of city council who recalled this pledge and took action last week to stop the extended stay proposal, for now.

Thank you to them and the rest of council for your action to drop the plan.

But our city leaders left this issue open to bring back up in the future.

They want to hear the opinions of more city residents.

I know that I have.

In the two weeks since this column ran, I’ve heard a lot of positive reaction from people I see in the community who agree with my views on the campground. The feedback has been some of the strongest I’ve had in my newspaper career.

I appreciate the words of support.

However, we need to make all of our voices clear to city council. They said at last week’s meeting that they want to hear them too.

When people have been speaking to me about this topic, I’ve asked them to share their views in a letter to the editor.

I also encourage those who have different views to also express their opinion. It is important for city leaders to hear all sides of the issue as they contemplate any decisions on extended stays at the campground.

This brings me to my plea for our readers to share their views in our weekly letters to the editor section of the Forum page.

Letters to the editor should be more than just a place to offer thanks for support of community projects.

Writing a letter to the editor can make a difference in the community. It is a chance to have your voice heard in a way that can affect key issues, potential policy changes or a way to right wrongs that are happening here in Carroll County.

Writing a letter is easy. Simply drop us a note or an email with your views. We’ll read it and help by editing to ensure proper grammar and spelling.

Be sure to sign your name. This is important because a signed letter gives an opinion credibility.

We know this by the lack of credibility we place in those anonymous opinions people frequently post on the internet.

Drop your letters in the mail to: The News-Democrat, P.O. Box 60, Carrollton, Ky. 41008. Or you can email them to jmoore@mycarrollnews.com. We also accept them by fax at (502) 732-0453.

Be sure to include a telephone number where you can be reached for verification or any questions we might have.

I hope you will share your views on the extended stays issue and on others that affect Carrollton and Carroll County. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jeff Moore is publisher of The News-Democrat and The Trimble Banner. He resides in Carrollton, Ky.