Letter: A crisis of confidence in Dubois County leadership

The people of Dubois County deserve leadership that is transparent, accountable, and committed to putting the interests of its citizens ahead of special interests. Sadly, after watching the actions of our County Commissioners over the past several months,We have become deeply disappointed in the direction they have chosen.

Meeting after meeting, concerned citizens have come forward with thoughtful questions about large-scale solar facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), emergency response, traffic, infrastructure, and the long-term impacts these industrial developments could have on our communities. Rather than receiving clear, factual answers, many residents have watched the Commissioners rely heavily on developers and paid consultants while giving far less weight to the concerns of the very people they were elected to represent.

Public officials have a responsibility to verify the information presented to them before making decisions that could affect our county for generations. Yet there have been multiple occasions when statements made during public meetings were later challenged or appeared to lack support in Indiana law or other available evidence. Regardless of where someone stands on renewable energy, that should concern every citizen.

This is not simply a debate about solar energy. It is a question of leadership. Are our elected officials asking the hard questions, seeking independent information, and making decisions based on the best interests of all residents, not only those who stand to benefit financially?

Many of us believe the pace and scale of these developments have outstripped the county’s ability to fully evaluate their cumulative impacts. Once productive farmland is converted to industrial use and large battery storage facilities become part of our landscape, those decisions will have lasting consequences for future generations.

The Commissioners have also stated that they do not want to tell farmers how to use their property. Yet neighboring property owners, who receive no compensation from these projects, are expected to accept industrial solar arrays and battery storage facilities beside their homes and farmland, along with the impacts that accompany them. Property rights should not be viewed only through the lens of participating landowners; they should also include the rights and interests of neighboring families whose lives and properties are directly affected.

The Commissioners often speak about transparency and serving the public, yet many citizens leave meetings feeling their concerns have already been dismissed before they are even heard. Public participation should be welcomed and respected, not treated as an obstacle to overcome.

Our Commissioners took an oath to serve the people of Dubois County. That means listening to citizens, verifying facts, exercising independent judgment, and placing the health, safety, welfare, and rural character of our county above political convenience or development pressure.

This letter is not written out of anger. It is written out of disappointment.

I believe Dubois County can embrace responsible growth while preserving the farmland, communities, and rural character that have long defined our county. Achieving that balance requires leaders who earn the public’s trust through honesty, transparency, accountability, and a willingness to listen to all citizens, not just those with the loudest voices or the greatest financial interests.

Today, many residents, including myself, have lost confidence that our County Commissioners are providing that kind of leadership. I sincerely hope they view this letter not as an attack, but as an invitation to rebuild the public’s trust through openness, accountability, and decisions that put the people of Dubois County first.

Citizens for Safe Communities,
Amanda Harris
David Duncan
John Kaltenbacher
Randy Bartelt