Resident urges Putnam County to oppose House Bill 2014 and warns against data center projects

Several residents used the public‑comment period at the June 9 Putnam County Commission meeting to urge commissioners to defend local control and to ask for records about past rezoning decisions.

Brian Martin of 2494 Shady Branch Road, Frasier's Bottom, urged the commission to "challenge in accord 2014" and to align with other county commissioners opposing House Bill 2014. Martin said the bill "takes away our freedom, our freedom of self‑governance" and warned it would shift control to the state and to large corporations. "House Bill 2014 is set up with non‑disclosure agreements and fasttracking so conglomerates can continue to make millions and billionaires off of a powerful few," Martin said. He contrasted such projects with Eagle Research, which he praised as a local manufacturer that "makes things, produces things."

Another resident asked how to obtain records on a February 2023 Smith case and how the county had resolved zoning decisions referenced in later votes; staff directed that records were filed at the circuit court and suggested contacting the circuit clerk for case files. A separate commenter indicated opposition to a proposed data center and encouraged commissioners to remember community views during the election year.

These remarks were delivered during the public‑comment period; the commission did not take formal action on legislation or on rezoning questions during the meeting and directed members of the public seeking court records to the circuit clerk's office.