Luther has more going on than data centers

There were many items on the agenda for last Thursday’s Luther Board of Trustees meeting. But only one drew in a couple of dozen residents and two crews from Oklahoma City television stations. 

The item was about the controversial and emotional data center issue raised almost a year ago, but it was not the rezoning application expected from Georgia-based Beltline Energy to build a data center next to the OGE Red Bud Plant within the town limits. 

This agenda item was an invitation to tour a data center facility in Georgia. The tour is scheduled for this week, and the invitation came just a few days before it appeared on the agenda. Whether Beltline offered to cover the costs, the agenda item was for the town to pay for “airline, hotel, and meal per diem expenses for a Planning Commission member to travel to Atlanta, GA, to tour a data center facility, at a cost not to exceed $1,200.00.” The mayor emphasized during the discussion that he didn’t want any town official to even accept a bottle of water from the company during the trip. 

It might be worth recalling last May when the Beltline executives were here in person to present their data center project at a town board meeting. They said data center projects were a new direction for their solar energy company because they could leverage their expertise in this data center boom. Those executives promised they would stay in touch and be fully responsive to our questions. None of my emails to those executives or their local attorney has ever received a reply. How about you? 

It turns out no planning commissioner could attend the tour this week, but the agenda item still moved forward. The sign-up sheet for that item was filled with names. The item was rejected by the trustees. 

Citizens’ criticisms of the project and the trip were abundant, and trustees’ comments about any value in fact-finding, due diligence, and putting eyes on this company’s project fell flat. Clearly, this was Beltline’s overture on their turf. We all have biases that we can recognize and navigate. Was it worth a $1,200 investment to directly ask about groundwater or wastewater usage, power consumption, and the overall footprint to report back? While at it, they could listen for noise, and even slink over to the closest neighbors and knock on some doors. Is Beltline doing it better – cleaner –  than other companies? The Luther trustees officially said no to the trip at a public meeting, giving the public a peek into Beltline’s moves. (Piedmont said yes.)  

Among resident comments about water tables, electric bills, and “I moved to the country to get away from the city,” resident Becky Tatum asked about motives. “Something I want to ask some of you on the board, and I’ve never gotten a real good answer, is what is in it for you guys that’s not in it for us? In general, the people do not want it, and it seems that you are not; some of you are not listening to the people. I  don’t think we care about tax revenue. This is not what we’re caring about. We care about the noise level. We care about our water. We see no upside because we’re not in it for the money; we are in it for our quality of living. I want an answer, especially from Jerrod. What is in it for you if you are for the data center?

Oh! That Open Meetings law. The comments are supposed to be limited to the agenda item (the trip), and trustees are generally advised not to engage, although some did. There’s a two-minute comment rule for members of the public. It’s awkward. It’s sometimes uncomfortable. It’s frustrating. The previous mayor also had to cut off comments with that gavel. It is how it is. Those public hearings will be that way, too. Conversations away from meetings don’t have those constraints. And while stirring it up on social media is easy, well … never mind. It is how it is. 

Beltline “promised” answers on water usage, electricity usage, noise, and all of our other valid questions. We have received zilch, except this invitation, and some communication through lawyers. When they do apply and explain, will we believe them, especially for those who would will live close to it? Would an election on the question help? Regardless, the company is expected to apply for rezoning, and that application must be heard. The data center issue is new territory for Luther; the rezoning process is not.

I asked a few trustees to answer Becky’s question, “What’s in it for you?”  

Their answers: 

What’s in it for me? I’m not for or against the data center. I just want to look at all the information before making a decision. It’s the potential for the town to be financially stable as my children grow up; the potential for someone to bring a town infrastructure issue to the Board’s attention, and instead of having to fight for a grant, we can just take care of it for the citizens of our town. These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential in it for me. 

—Trustee Jerrod Davis

Statement to Luther Register News

As a member of the Board of Trustees, I want to clarify my comments from last Thurday night’s meeting.

The discussion referenced was not an agenda item, and out of respect for proper procedure and transparency, I remained focused on the posted agenda. It would not have been appropriate to engage in debate or respond outside of that structure.

Recent claims that Board members have predetermined positions, are acting outside public view, or have personal or financial motivations related to a potential data center are unfounded. No proposal has been formally presented to the Planning Commission or the Board, and no vote has taken place or will occur without a public hearing. Any assumptions about individual positions or actions are premature and speculative.

The Board is committed to acting professionally and responsibly—gathering information, conducting due diligence, and considering all perspectives before making decisions. Community input is an essential part of that process, and all viewpoints deserve to be heard.

We were elected to serve the people of Luther, and that responsibility requires thoughtful, measured decision-making.

As conversations about growth continue, our focus remains on guiding it intentionally—supporting infrastructure, preserving community character, and positioning Luther for a sustainable future.

We encourage respectful dialogue and ongoing community engagement.

— Trustee Cindy Harris Taylor

There’s nothing in it for me, but a lot for the town. The lagoons need to be worked on, the old water pipes have constant leaks, and those are just a couple of serious issues. Luther Public Works doesn’t charge customers enough to cover all of that without more frequent rate increases. I’m willing to listen to any proposal and weigh it carefully.

—Trustee Carla Caruthers

While data center projects face scrutiny everywhere, we wait. As for the rest of the meeting, here’s what happened, sprinkled with a little color commentary:

• Andrew Ungerecht was selected to the Luther Planning Commission among five applicants.
• Chris Nevarez and Saudy Soria won the bid to purchase the concession stand property behind the Dollar General on Fourth Street, which was part of the renowned Cox Field. That could solve the mystery surrounding why he’s tempting our taste buds with posts on his Cocina Doña Ceci page! Stay tuned and stay hungry. And yay for that historic though dilapidated piece of property. He thinks he can save a lot of it! 
• The town will keep using Aberdeen for collections for fines (mostly unpaid tickets). 
• LPD Officer Christian Hall’s resignation was regretfully accepted. He is going to another agency. 
• The finishing touches were approved for the new kiosk info board at the Visit Luther sign on Route 66. We’ll have info on it to tell visitors more about Luther when they stop at the sign. 
• The Luther and Arcadia Fire Departments sealed their mutual aid agreements.
• The room at Town Hall where board meetings, court, and community meetings are held is about to get a refresh, thanks to volunteers. Look for some history about Luther to be tastefully folded into that room’s vibe.
• LEDA (Luther Economic Development Authority) is coming back. The Board of Trustees has served as the LEDA board for a few years, but interest in serving had waned. It is supposed to function much like the Parks and Planning Commissions – advisory to the board with a focus on their respective issues. Maybe there’s a way to raise interest in this type of service – making it worthwhile for the town and the volunteers. Interested? Stay tuned.  
• Still waiting for drainage plans from the engineer, but planned housing units on the south end of town will proceed.
• The Orchard on 66 donated tables for use at town events. Thanks!
• More landscaping ahead, thanks to a $2,000 donation from Langston University. WOW! And thank you!
• It was Scherrie Pidcock’s last official meeting before she retires as Town Manager, effective on Friday. She’ll be around in an advisory role for a while, while new Town Manager Rian Hankins gets up to speed. He was at the meeting. Did you meet him? I gave him congratulations, thanks, and, with a laugh, condolences. Still, Luther, you’ve come a long way, thanks largely to Scherrie! May her gardening dreams come true!

Was that meeting rundown helpful? Let me know. And read on if you want to hear a bit about what’s going on with Luther Register News.

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When I saw the agenda item about the all-expenses-paid trip to Atlanta, I did not ask for details in advance. I was so curious about it and knew it would be a hot item, but I still didn’t pursue it. Why? Any data center story gets “clicks?” Good for Luther Register. Bad for the other articles. Good for the Luther Register’s algorithm (powered by datacenters). Bad for all of the other posts that don’t make it into our feeds. 

Practically, I was “busy.” Aren’t we all? It’s planting season! I had a list of tasks for the town-wide yard sale on Saturday, and the event was awesome and fun. Lots of conversations. I figured staff members were getting calls about it (they didn’t, but they were short-staffed, which makes for a hectic meeting day), and I didn’t want to add to their workload when my questions would be answered at the meeting. Plus, I was prepping some recipes for my book club get-together because I had to feature my Red Bud Blossom Simple Syrup. The book was The Correspondent. Who has read it? Let’s chat! Also, my red bud blossom concoction was much better than last season’s attempt. I didn’t even set aside time to monitor Facebook on the issue about Item Number Eleven — but I guess I missed some “robust” exchanges. Not sorry about that. 

However, if I might suggest: An explainer from the Town (hard to do within the constraints of an agenda) about the item might have helped.

I used to do a lot of preview articles when the online Luther Register News started in 2015 (tell them what’s happening, then tell them what’s happened), and in all the years before, when agendas were taped on windows. That gives me a “good old days” recollection when we raced to see new agendas … and if they were ever posted even one minute late, we could report on such illegality! Give me emails, please, and let nostalgia stay where it belongs!  Now, we all get an email if we sign up (and it’s still taped on a window inside the Town Hall lobby). It’s another example of how the role of news has changed. I don’t need to make a special trip to inform readers if they can’t go look at a window; we get the info together. I could call around and get feedback in advance, but Facebook has taken over that role, ahem. 

It’s not lost on me that I started the online Luther Register (named after the original print version) to get to the “truth” about contentious issues and counteract the rampant misinformation I was seeing online. That was ten years ago. I was so young! The TRUTH? What is truth? And whose is it? Can I even handle the truth? 😉

I also used to FB Live meetings (maybe it’s time for the Town of Luther to consider taking that on.) You watched, but you couldn’t hear very well. And I’d forget to check the screen while taking notes. I needed better equipment.

Plus, I didn’t want Meta stealing my audience, my potential business success. Who was I kidding? ME! I was kidding my entrepreneurial self who thought I could be an outlier and invent a new sustainable business that brings back local news without the magical elixir of advertisers, paid readers, or heavy philanthropic support, as social media got more and more powerful. 

Selling ads, asking for donations, and threatening a paywall were never ever comfortable for me. And that doesn’t mean I was ungrateful – my deep thanks to all who have advertised and sent reader support. Keep it coming if you want to.  

My thinking has finally arrived at what this has been along. I don’t have to feed my anxiety about working harder “on the business.” Luther Register News is not a business. It’s my expensive hobby. I do it because I want to, and sometimes I don’t want to, at all. The business part is Shelton Media LLC, for events like the pecan festival, building websites, writing, or offering a ton of ideas on your business! That’s called consultanting!  Just ask me.;-)

I’m more comfortable putting a price on those tangible services than asking for funding to support news as an intangible consumable. Good for you, Sub-stackers. But really, what’s the limit on our personal budgets for paid subscriptions? What’s harder? Getting millions of monthly $4 subscribers at NYT, or 100 (or 50, or even 25) $10 subscribers for LRN? The consumer burden does not translate easily into paying for news when it’s free on TV between commercials for cars and pharmaceuticals (and soon, candidates, please help us all). If you get news on social media, appreciate the employee who cuts content to fit every platform.

Luther Register News is not dead. The switch is in my mindset. Instead of lamenting that I don’t cover what I thought I’d be covering – like “when are they ever finishing the Luther Road construction between Waterloo and Charter Oak” – I’ll cover what I can fit in. I’m going to stop my inner turmoil about reader stats. If you ask, I’ll make a better effort. If you read, I’ll write more articles. If you reference an article when you see a falsehood on FB, we’ll both feel better. When folks stop saying, “I didn’t hear anything about that,” because they read Luther Register, my heart will burst from happiness. I’ll try to spotlight your business, just ask. I’ll gratefully accept reader support (THANK YOU). LRN has always been a hybrid – finding ways to use my skills to help my community. 

You can tell I’ve had it with social media. HAD IT. If you need a scroll break, you can always check in (lutherregister.news) and see what’s new. My articles automatically post on FB, NextDoor, and a few others, but I am pulling back on social media. Ideally, readers just go to the website, lutherregister.news, and save it as a browser tab. I might not ever be big enough for Google to pick up, but LRN was never meant to be that, really. Every training I’ve ever attended asked us to picture our target readers. DUH! I see you – at the school pick up line, at work, raising your kids and grands, going to the lake, and facing life’s innumerable challenges. I’d like to let go of all of that data intensity and put that energy toward improving your website experience (and getting rid of that incessant code line at the top of your page, but so far I can’t figure it out). There’s an events page and a spot to add your events. There’s Visit Luther and pecan festival information. Third Saturday markets begin April 18.

One thing I’ve learned and love about Luther. We do things our way, sometimes beautifully, sometimes frustratingly, mostly independently but within a community that can always be stronger. No one is coming to help us, or even help showcase our big, beautiful Visit Luther sign (I’m looking at you, 66 centennial people). So be it. We help ourselves. We might get down, but we try, try again. Luther is worth it.