Trouble... there's trouble brewing, right here in river City. Anyone familiar with that song from The Music Man, will recognize the line. Well, let me tell you folks, there's trouble brewing right here in Vernon County too.
Even though this story pertains to Vernon County, it could happen in any of the communities in Wisconsin, Iowa, or Minnesota where "Across the Fence" runs.
The Native Americans of this area once had their land taken away from them. Oh, they were paid for it in some cases, but it was a paltry sum, and they didn't really have a choice. The government said, "Take what we offer, or we'll take it anyway." Things haven't changed much in the years since, except they offer more money now.
To the southwest of where I live, farmers near Genoa were in danger of losing their land because a company wanted to make an ash dump of their farms. Landowners are often at the mercy of large corporations and the government.
In the area between Viroqua and Westby, where I was raised and now live, there's also trouble brewing. A cold wind is blowing across the Coon Prairie. First it comes in the form of a questionable four-lane highway the state wants to build between the two communities. Everyone I talk to says it's not needed and that a couple of passing and turning lanes would do the trick with a lot less expense and loss of land. The government is telling the affected land owners to sell their land. They don't really have a choice. does that scenario sound familiar? Will Viroqua Township penalize the government for taking those acres out of farmland like they do landowners?
But it doesn't end there. A bike path (Multi-Use Trail aka MUT) will also be added alongside the highway. Under pressure, the flip-flopping County Board reversed their initial NO vote, and approved the trail. That action affects even more land, buildings, and trees. Now don't get me wrong. I have nothing against bikers, runners, and walkers. I've biked, run, and walked thousands of miles over the years. But doing them alongside a four-lane highway is not my idea of a peaceful experience.
I guess I should mention, this hits pretty close to home. The part of Sherpe Road near the highway will be affected by the extra lane expansion, and also by the MUT. All the wonderful trees lining the road that are habitat for deer, birds, and other critters, will be destroyed. Such is progress!??
All this got me thinking, which most of you know can be dangerous. It's hard to fight the government... federal, state, or local, so we might as well join them. The way I see it, this new super highway and adjoining Multi-Use Trail is going to make travel very dangerous for farm tractors and large combines. I suspect some group will soon form and get them banned from using the roads around here. In order to prevent that from happening, I think a new committee is needed. We'll propose to the county Board that a Combine and Tractor Trail (CAT), be built to insure the safety of everyone. Farmers still need to get around and this appears to be the only solution. There's one problem though. The farmers and other rural landowners feel enough of their land has already been stolen, so the new trail will have to go through the cities and towns.
I know what you're thinking, "This is nuts, we don't need a Combine and Tractor Trail through town when they have perfectly good roads to travel on. Just add some passing lanes and everyone will be happy. "Sorry, that's not how the government looks at it. That CAT Trail is needed. It's for the safety and betterment of many, at the expense of a few.
Granted, they'll have to run the trail through some city properties, but not to worry, the affected people will be compensated by the government for the loss of their land. It will only take small amounts of their lawns, the removal of trees here and there, and some businesses, but we don't want to stand in the way of progress, do we?!
The way I see it, the new CAT and MUT Trails, combined the the expanded Four-Lane Highway, will solve all our transportation and safety problems. I don't know why someone didn't think of it sooner. This gets the dangerous mix of fast-moving cars and trucks, slow-moving farm machinery, and bikers and walkers, separated onto their respective paths, trails, and highways. This could become the model for other communities throughout the country, and it all began right here in the heart of God's Country.
There's one slight problem though. I suspect there's going to be a real knock-down, drag-out, nasty CAT fight when the landowners in the affected communities get their government notices, informing them of the loss of land because of the new CAT Trail. People don't like being forced to sell their land, regardless of the reason.
There's one more safety issue that could be eliminated by this trail. I heard the County Board wants to outlaw the use of large, round bales. There's a danger of them rolling off a wagon, and hitting a car or truck. Plus, they say the poor cows can't get a square meal from those round bales!
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