It is encouraging to see a stinky situation starting to smell better, figuratively right now, and, hopefully, literally in the near future.

It is also encouraging to see the follow-through by the city of Winchester, the state of Kentucky and Kentucky Fertilizer.

The process seems to be working exactly as it should.

Citizens have concerns, so they go to their elected officials. Those leaders reach out to company officials and also state entities tasked with overseeing the industry. Then the company truly listens and begins taking measures to correct the issue.

In this situation, we are not all the way there, yet, but the progress is encouraging.

After issuing an odor violation against Kentucky Fertilizer, inspectors for the Kentucky Division for Air Quality say the company has 30 days to submit a plan to remedy the situation.

Even in an older community like Winchester, where growth and development has maybe not always been as structured and organized as many would hope, the citizens are justified in having a reasonable expectation that neighboring commercial and industrial tenants are good neighbors.

Of course, we must also make sure we avoid succumbing to a NIMBY — not in my backyard — mentality when it isn’t necessary.

When taken to extremes, it will stifle economic development and growth.

We hope to see this situation resolved in the very near future and that it sends a strong message that Clark County is open for business, wants to partner with business and industry, but also demands they are good neighbors who preserve the quality of life that makes this a special place to call home.