Good Things Happen in Vernon County

Hummingbirds were observed on Monday, so that fun of watching birds is coming back once again. They have not been observed at the feeders, but that does not mean they have not been at the feeders.

It would be nice if the birds could report to us about their trips, since they left last fall. A person wonders where they went and how they know to come back. It takes an effort to keep them fed properly, but they are a great pleasure.

Many readers keep telling me that they read these columns and that you enjoy them. This gives encouragement for continuation. This is a personal column, so apparently it is appropriate to report some events that have made this column complicated to write.

Recently, a Missouri Annual 4-H Report was received. It is always good to receive this document and to reinforce that there are a great many wonderful things happening statewide in 4-H. This report was placed near the computer with the idea that information from it would be good material for a column.

Well, Monday evening I had that subject in mind, but the annual report was not there -- it was no where to be found. Where that thing is, I have no idea. How could it be gone? Anyway, I placed the blame on my granddaughter, but most likely she did not do anything with it.

Now you talk about frustration -- I was highly frustrated. That blew my evening and the column did not get written. It is not good to get a column turned in at the last minute, but Lynn is patient with me.

A chamber of commerce breakfast was held in March, with a number of great reports of things happening in Vernon County. There is more then most people realize. One of the reports was given by Bonnie McCord, presiding commissioner. Her presentation contained good informative information. I asked her for a copy of her talk, which she supplied.

Information from her talk has been planned for a column. Can you believe it is not where it was put? Again, frustration set in. Apparently, it is time to punt. It is either, give up or start bouncing some stuff off of my head.

Sometimes we do not realize how fortunate it is to be living where we do. It does not take long to get to a metropolitan area. The lifestyle is much different than what we have in this rural area. Most of the world population does not have the opportunity to see the openness that we have as a matter of life.

A few weeks ago, Dalton Eador, our grandson, a fourth grader, and I were going for a walk and we saw nine deer. He later said that we have a lot of wildlife. He is right -- a great observation.

The landscape in the county is changing. If you drive on U.S. Highway 54 near Eve you can observe a crane and a structure being built. Prairie Pride's biodiesel plant is becoming a reality. They are moving fast and in a few months will be in production. It is unbelievable how fast they are developing the plant. They have and are currently adding employees. When fully staff they will employ approximately 50 people. In addition they will provide a good market for the producers in this area, making a great economical impact.

One of the things that Bonnie mentioned in her presentation was the need for the proposed law enforcement sales tax. That proposal was passed by a huge majority, showing great support for something that is significantly needed.

Vernon County voters are to be congratulated on approving the law enforcement proposal. This will allow for a new jail to be constructed and also provide additional funds for law enforcement. As it has been reported, plans will be developed for the next few months. This will be time consuming and will involve a great amount of details -- much will be going on behind the scenes. This will be an important time for the construction. It will be approximately four months before the construction will start on the site. After that it will take about a year for completion. A new jail is in the process of becoming a reality as well.

There are many other things that are taking place in Vernon County that will be befitting the citizens making this a great location to live.

In the most recent years the county commissioners have become more proactive. They have done this without any fanfare and we as citizens have not been aware of the great things they have been doing.

Their proactiveness resulted in getting an enterprise zone in Vernon County. For some reason the previous enterprise zone in Nevada had been allowed to expire. It was as a result of the new enterprise zone that Prairie Pride was placed in Vernon County. It also resulted in the shell building finally being sold.

Good things happen in Vernon County and the county can look toward a great future.