Carberry takes aim at economy, environment

Johnson County is among the fastest growing counties in Iowa. We need to manage our growth in a way that is sustainable for our environment and our economy if we hope to continue to be the desirable type of place to live that we enjoy today.

For 15 years I have worked as an environmental lobbyist for renewable energy and sustainable growth at the local, state and national levels. I want to put that experience to work in county government to create sustainable environmental and economic policies.

One way I will respond to growth will be to protect farmland in the North Corridor Development Area from residential development. Others would rather plant houses there than crops.

The Land Use Plan needs to be sharper in its focus on two of its highest priorities - to preserve agricultural land and to encourage growth in cities through infill development. The county should shrink or eliminate the NCDA. New growth should be directed into cities and around city boundaries. Preserving the agricultural areas of our county will bring greater prosperity for all residents.

Johnson County should devote additional support to small farmers growing and selling food locally by opening the County Poor Farm to new produce farmers to get them started. The county needs to revise its ordinances to allow smaller produce farms to increase Johnson County's role in promoting local foods.

The county needs to update our courthouse to make it secure and accessible. Additional courtrooms will speed up the justice system and reduce the load on the jail. Johnson County is losing millions of dollars a year in taxes to TIFs. I will be a strong advocate for TIF reform to bring that revenue back to the county coffers.

County supervisors need to treat each other and citizens with respect. The county needs to be more diplomatic with city councils and other governing bodies. I will return civility to the Board of Supervisors.

If you want to save all our farms from residential development, if you want more local foods, if you want a sustainable future, I ask you to vote for me.

' Mike Carberry is a Democratic candidate for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. Comments: mike@carberryforsupervisor.com.