 The Kickapoo Conversations, sponsored by VSN, were intended to “let every voice be heard.”No one from the Amish community attended the meetings, but Atlee Miller, the bishop for the Cashton community wrote me a letter to express the views of most Amish in our area.
When it comes to positive improvements in the quality of rural life through economic development projects or sustainable agriculture programs, the Amish are supportive.Although their religion does not allow them to participate in government-sponsored projects such as Smart Growth planning, they see the value of such programs for their non-Amish neighbors.Their concern, per Bishop Miller, is that new statewide zoning laws around housing codes and outhouse permits will threaten their future in Wisconsin.In Bishop Miller's letter he states the greatest concern of the Amish would be: “building regulations and zoning that would be objective to our religious beliefs.”
The Kickapoo watershed has the highest concentration of Amish in our state. In keeping with its mission, VSN will continue to support communication and coordination among groups in the watershed. The interests and concerns of the Amish community are an important element to be incorporated into the comprehensive planning process.
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