Month after month it has been frustrating for me to see the agendas being discussed at the council meetings. The business of the day consists of chickens at the Appleberry Farm, what type of fencing to use on the Center Street viaduct and the possibility of a data center being incorporated into our community. I’m not saying these aren’t important topics -most topics regarding a town of our size have their obligations- however, THESE are the things consistently discussed?? It is encouraging to see the council finally let the Mason family keep their chickens on the property even if it is zoned as incorporated. Kelly pays property tax and is well outside of any major residential neighborhood. I for one love farm fresh eggs and if we let something like Appleberry farm go- we don’t get it back. We should all strive to keep our business local as much as possible and I would argue the Appleberry Farm is a staple of this community and has been for a long time. This is what keeps our communities alive and thriving-small business! Why would we bend the knee to accommodate a major employer in the community while scrutinizing a small farm just because a few select council members and/or citizens don’t like the idea of chickens on a literal farm? Chain link fencing on the center street viaduct?? THAT’S what we are arguing about? Just put a fence on it and call it a day so we can get a main artery through town opened back up! A few years from now if we all decide we hate it we can literally cross that bridge and put up something different. And data centers? Are we seriously considering this as an idea for our town?? There are folks who already struggle these days to pay their utility bills and what do we suppose will happen to our resources if we allow a data center to be implemented? How many times does this have to be proven in order for folks to wake up? It’s short sighted to think it will create any kind of long term jobs. This is not Des Moines. This is a town of 27,000 people. Keep our community and its citizens in mind when you vote for these sorts of things because the ramifications will be felt years after the council has been replaced.