COMMUNITY VOICES Patrice Christy Keeps Choosing Luther

To the Editor of the Luther Register,

I want to thank Dawn Shelton for the article published after the “Luther is Under Attack” meeting on January 5, 2026, at the Community Center regarding the possible construction of an AI Data Center. Her article opened eyes and minds to question the “fear-mongering” witnessed throughout our community. There are always good and bad concerns about anything that comes into a community. But, the importance and success lie in how the citizens come together and work for “what is best” for their hometown.

When I moved to Luther 30 years ago, I knew becoming active in a small community was important to its future. When my husband succumbed to leukemia in 2005, my children did not want to leave the only home that they had ever known. Thus, I knew, in losing a parent, how important recovery would be for us as a new family. It was important for my children to have a balanced life as a new family of three. I endeavored to give my children all the love, support, encouragement, and grounding a dual-parent family could offer, right here in Luther. My children are now outstanding citizens. My daughter and son both have wonderful educations, prosperous careers, and loving spouses, and I have two amazing grandsons.

When I retired, I elected to stay in Luther, my home. I am a firm believer that you invest in your community by contributing hard work with a positive attitude. If an idea or event doesn’t work, you learn from it, make the adjustments, reorganize, and move on. You do not quit, at least not in my book.

In May 2025, I attended a Board of Trustees meeting where Beltline Energy executives introduced the concept of an AI Data Center to be built near the Red Bud plant in town limits. On that evening, the meeting was challenged by a group of individuals strongly opposed to any AI Data Centers being built anywhere, but specifically near their properties. I left the meeting that night with many questions, questions that I knew I would need to research to learn more about the proposed AI Data Center.

I began the learning journey by reading, asking questions, and developing a personal file containing many articles, both pro and con, on this subject. For the rest of 2025, I began noticing an increase in negative commentary around the community and on social media. This negative commentary would eventually evolve into what I would reference as “fear mongering.” Whenever negative information was thrown at me, I listened. I would then let the person or group know that the discovery of positive information was just as important as the negative information.

I received a message this week from a notorious “Anonymous Concerned Citizen.” I was accused of having a “hidden agenda” and of withholding information that would have allowed transparency to Luther citizens regarding the possible construction of the AI Data Center in Luther.

I find this accusation very misleading and totally uncalled for, as I have not been given any information confirming the construction of an AI Data Center. As a member of Luther’s Planning Commission, I make it a priority to research and look at all sides of the subject in question before my opinion is rendered. And, please note, my opinion has NOT been rendered as of this date. I will not succumb to “fear mongering” tactics, “sidebar bullying” or “property damage” threats. If you, “Anonymous,” do not have the backbone to speak directly to my face, then you have just confirmed your attempted spineless squeeze play of intimidation to be very weak and irrelevant.

I find it very sad that the town I call home has a relentless number of citizens whose negative momentum creates fear rather than fostering cohesiveness to objectively examine and discuss the pros and cons of any situation. Consequently, this negative roadblock prevents fair and open communication, hindering the best possible decisions for our town’s future.

In closing, I am receptive to listening to all sides with an open mind. If I have a question of you to further clarify your statement, I will ask you to do so. But please do not ask for my opinion, because I will not give it to anyone until, if and when, it becomes an agenda item through the proper procedure that includes a submitted application that will come before the Planning Commission (and Board of Trustees), including public hearings. If you cannot tell by now, I simply do not play games.

Respectively submitted,

Patrice Christy, Member
Luther Planning Commission

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