Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter jokes that he may not get asked back after being invited to speak for the first time at the former “State of the City” luncheon.
Now renamed the “State of Greater Springfield,” the event highlighted remarks from both Mayor Misty Buscher and Van Meter. Van Meter made the crack after calling on the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, a main sponsor of the event, to take the lead in helping to establish a youth work program for the city and county.
In his remarks, Van Meter also criticized state lawmakers for passing a law that prevents the county from having the final say in zoning for solar farm projects.
Van Meter says local governments have a better understanding of how to balance competing local interests.
At the same time, he noted the county also has little influence over projects like a proposed carbon capture pipeline, but notes county officials don’t have expertise in the safety concerns posed by the project.
