Farmers Meetings: February 25, 2003 (1:30 – 3:30 pm and 7:00 – 10:00 pm)

We provided assistance to Jack Coleman and Henry Fisher, who both represent farming interests on the US 30 Community Advisory Committee, in arranging for a meeting with local farmers. The meetings were held at the Paradise Community Building. Maps of the alternatives were available for review. These maps additionally indicated parcel boundaries and the owners of farms.

Invitations were mailed to approximately 90 farmers whose operations could be potentially affected by one of the preliminary alternatives. Other people, largely non-farmers, also attended having received notice by word-of-mouth. About 35 people attended the afternoon meeting with about 75 in attendance at the evening meeting. At the afternoon meeting, casual discussions around the map followed a brief presentation. The evening meeting was more formal in nature, given the size of the audience, and featured a lengthy question-and-answer session.


Gordonville Mud Sale: March 8, 2002 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)

At the suggestion of a Plain farmer from the area, we attended the Mud Sale to talk to farmers and had a small display board showing the preliminary alternatives, which we explained to interested passersby. There was a great deal of interest shown. Questions were varied, ranging from concerns about transportation problems and proposed solutions in all of eastern Lancaster County to more specific questions concerning impacts to individual farm operations.

We estimated that we spoke to about 300 during the day. About 80% were Plain farmers. We heard a lot of useful suggestions. The majority of those expressing preferences for alternatives favored the Five Lane Widening or the Southern Relocation Alternative.

Additionally we posted a number of public meeting notices throughout the event grounds.