What will the children of Carroll County citizens think in 20 years about how the county and their lives got to their present state? Will they say to the current county planners and leaders - their parents and grandparents - "Thank you for being able to make the tough decisions in 2008 to bring about a good quality of life for us now." Or will they ask, "What were you thinking?"

The Comprehensive Land Use Plan will present a vision for the future. It will serve as a "roadmap" for county growth and development for the next 20 years.

The plan has been awhile in coming. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan Steering Committee was named by the Area Plan Commission in early 2007 but did not meet for several months. It has not been smooth sailing.

When informed of problems with the firm hired to develop the plan, county leaders did not terminate their contract. The firm will be paid $61,000 although it was determined they were not doing the job expected. The "official" planners will be paid for putting their name on a document so Carroll County will be able to say that "experts" did the work, when in fact the steering committee has done what needed to be done.

It is now time for the general public to weigh in on the draft of the plan - the plan that will direct where CAFOs and residential and industrial entities will be allowed to flourish.

In addition, the steering committee is now charged with the duty of developing new or amending old zoning ordinances - local ordinances that will give enforcement teeth to the land use plan.

Each and every Carroll County citizen is strongly encouraged to attend one or all of the comprehensive land use plan draft review meetings, beginning with tonight's meeting in Flora. Do not limit yourselves to going to one meeting - go to as many as you need to go to so that you understand what the plan says. Do not be afraid to say what you think about the future of Carroll County.

Feel free to look at a copy of the 85-page plan at a local library, in the courthouse or on the Comet's website at www.carrollcountycomet.com.

Register your comments in writing with the zoning administrator or any or all of the steering committee members (by Aug. 15.) Write letters to the editor to this newspaper to address issues in the plan.

But whatever you do, be ready to answer that question from your children and grandchildren in 20 years. Your voice is important!