By JESSICA BRICKER
Now that all options but one are reportedly off the table, a local farmer is voicing opposition to an ongoing public works project.
Courtney Pfister, a Wells County farmer, outlined several issues with the plans to correct a curve in the road at 200S and County Home Road in a presentation to the commissioners Monday.
He said he and his wife bought the Hauk family farm in May 2021, and he expressed concerns about how ongoing plans for the highway project have been communicated with the previous — and now the current — owners.
“I will tell you that our family is not against progress,” Pfister said, adding that to illustrate that point, his family has been working with the county on the ongoing plans to connect Hoosier Highway to Adams Street.
But with the curve correction project, he said the county is taking valuable farmland — about 15 to 20 acres of it — out of service for what he believes is an unnecessary road down the middle of it.
Commissioner Jeff Stringer said in previous conversations with Pfister, he had indicated there were other options to be considered. On Monday, Pfister indicated he was fully against the project.
Pfister then clarified his position, noting he is against the project as it is currently designed after previous designs were reportedly taken off the table at a public meeting with officials last month.
“I would still entertain, if they want to fix the corner, I’m happy to give up the ground to do that,” Pfister said.
He said he tried to work with project designers on other alternatives, but he wouldn’t speak to why those other plans could no longer be pursued.
As of right now, he added, he has no intentions of selling the farmland for the project. He intends to farm it as planned.
jessica@news-banner.com
