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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Community voice: Split planning commission could help growth in Hamilton County

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Concerned residents of the unincorporated county line up to speak concerning Plan Hamilton.  The Hamilton County Commission further discussed the complexities of Plan Hamilton, meeting at the county courthouse, on August 13, 2025.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Concerned residents of the unincorporated county line up to speak concerning Plan Hamilton. The Hamilton County Commission further discussed the complexities of Plan Hamilton, meeting at the county courthouse, on August 13, 2025. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Concerned residents of the unincorporated county line up to speak concerning Plan Hamilton. The Hamilton County Commission further discussed the complexities of Plan Hamilton, meeting at the county courthouse, on August 13, 2025.

“It’s amazing what the hard times can reveal, like who shows up, who walks away and who’s for real!” (Brent Smith, Shinedown)

Courageous county leadership is trying to identify a trailhead for a growth plan that preserves why current residents live here and love it — why we brag about it and encourage family and friends to visit and live here.

Let’s support ongoing Hamilton County Commission efforts to find mechanisms to create a balance of growth and infrastructure stability for our future.

A split Planning Commission — to address growth in the unincorporated county separately from cities and towns — can be part of the solution.

The problems to solve are real, growing and any initiatives to solve them provide hope. I would like the entire commission to consider the following in pursuit a defined growth mission: