Early in 2005, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce established a Community Issues and Research Committee "to study and evaluate local issues and events that might affect the Chamber and have an impact on economic development in Shelby County." (June 16, 2005 letter from Chamber to Judge/Executive Robenburger) On the morning of October 20th, this Committee met with some of the people and groups affected by development. Included in this group were Superintendent Farris of the Shelby County Public Schools, Dr. Leon Mooneyhan, the Shelby County Industrial Foundation, the Louisville Home Builders, developers, state representative Brad Montell, and Judge/Executive Rothenburger.

Before the meeting, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shelley Goodwin explained that the Committee wanted to hear from the stakeholders in the development issues. MORE President Jim Ellis pointed out that the major stakeholder in these issues was not included - the taxpayers of Shelby County!

At the conclusion of the meeting, a follow-up meeting on November 17th was set with the same participants invited back. Committee Chair Lee Webb and Mrs. Goodwin asserted that there was no need to invite groups like MORE as Mr. Webb and Mrs. Goodwin already knew where MORE stood on these issues.

As quoted from a new release from the 10/13/05 School Board meeting, "Lee Webb, Realtor: A Shelby County High School graduate, Webb said he returned home after graduating from University of Kentucky because he saw a career in economic development. He believes the issue is for the community to come together and draw a consensus to find a way to address growth. 'We could set a standard that would be good for others to look at. It may be drastic to pass an ordinance without proper dialogue from all parties involved,' he explained."

To exclude "stakeholders" from the Committee's research meetings is not consistent with Mr. Webb's above comments and is not constructive in addressing Shelby County growth problems and opportunities.