Reader asks what's next for Lee County

WHAT NOW?
My husband and I recently attended a community meeting concerning the proposed data center/bitcoin facility on Burlington Hill. Not one person spoke in favor of the project. One person asked about rumors of a steel mill in the Green Bay bottoms. The supervisors downplayed knowledge of a potential steel plant, suggesting that many companies come to inspect the Bottoms all the time without any result. Then POW! A news release that a $15 billion steel mill is planned for the Green Bay bottoms. A supposedly “done deal” and the governor convenes a special session of the Iowa Legislature to discuss “incentives”. This is a big deal. What bothers me is that apparently everyone knew, except of course, “We The People”. The new steel plant conclusively resolves the issue of the data center in Fort Madison. We don’t need it. Data centers would have provided minimal economic benefit for Fort Madison anyway, only detriments. All the profits on the part of the developer would have been paid for by the taxpayers (“We The People”), and the most beautiful view of the Mississippi River in Fort Madison would have been forever tainted. Now the issue is clear. “We The People” have decided that we don’t want a data center or bitcoin facility in our small town. If any public official still supports the Burlington Hill project we have to assume that they have a personal motive. No data centers are needed to provide illusory economic benefit. The moratorium must be made permanent. Mr. (Wolgemuth), maybe if your ship did not come in, your canoe will. Count your blessings. What I mean is that there are still many profitable use of your land that do not destroy the aesthetic beauty of our small town. But, with the steel plant imminent, what will happen to us now, the  people of Lee County, Iowa? I can envision several deal narratives: People, lobbyists, and special interests groups will flock here seeking the wealth they feel they are “entitled” to. It’s already beginning. Perhaps some people will come to better their lives and will work hard to become a part of our community. That’s a good thing. Unfortunately, it’s a surety that folks and law firms from Minneapolis (via Des Moines) will want a large share of the pie. They will come to Fort Madison in droves (to a place they have never been before or ever dreamed of visiting) in attempts to jockey themselves into the money stream.
Again, but what about “We The People”? The people of Lee County
generally, and Fort Madison in particular? We need new streets and alleys, not more dog parks. We need more restaurants open on Mondays. We need our only hotel opened again. We need a vibrant downtown. Our abandoned storefronts and empty houses need to be renovated and sold. We will be deluged with developers seeking to build cheap housing. As a part of any new residential construction project, however, we must insist that a significant part of the project include renovating or revitalizing existing housing stock. Let’s fix what we’ve got. We do not need transitory, substandard temporary housing, urban sprawl and blight, homelessness, squatters and indigents.
We are a hardworking, God-fearing, family-oriented little community. Let’s keep it that way.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST GOOD

“We The People” must demand that our local government manage the growth properly with good and steadfast planning. First, let’s get rid of the persons in local government who propose get rich quick schemes, squander or give away our resources. Our County Supervisors, Legislators, City Planners and local influencers will need to have courage and integrity to protect us from scoundrels and opportunists who will come to our region. We need leaders with vision of what we can be, not just administrators without conviction or a moral compass. Our elected officials must not be allowed to join the exploiters for personal wealth or political gain. So, let’s get rid of the ones who don’t fully appreciate and understand what a miracle has been laid before us.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
We have a beautiful little town. I challenge Fort Madison to become Iowa’s authentic “original home town”. We have a rural character - let’s keep it that way. Keokuk and Burlington are urban centers - let them retain their character. We should not allow our community to become a suburb of either of those cities. Let the Sheaffer Building be renovated, finally, or removed. Let’s redo the Old Prison into a new, expanded Rodeo Center. Let’s become what we would hope for in our wildest dreams; let’s become the #1 small town in America. Let’s draw people here from everywhere! Let’s become a place where our children will be proud to stay, live and thrive! We want the real, honest citizens of Lee County, Iowa, to finally benefit from government spending. We need to have our property taxes reduced or eliminated.
Why not? We are one of the poorest counties in Iowa, paying some of the highest property taxes. Send your wish lists to our Representatives, the Mayor, the City Planning Commission, the City Council, the Board of Supervisors. Lets have some open meetings. Don’t let us get short-changed again. LET’S GO FOR IT!
Respectfully submitted,

Carelle Stein
Retired attorney, writer, artist, farmer