The event is kind of like a high school field trip but, instead of our future leaders, the bus is mostly filled with those who are filling that role today.

And this trip is far more about educating those who are being visited than it is about the Lawrence Countians making the trip to Columbus.

That is the general concept behind the Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Day, an initiative that has connected our elected officials with their constituency for two and a half decades.

The 2011 version will be a milestone as well because it will be the 25th anniversary — the brainchild of former Chamber director Pat Clonch — of an event that centers around communication and cooperation.

This one-day trip is open to anyone who wants to learn more about how our government works and talk directly with our elected officials about the issues that are most important here in Southern Ohio.

We have to believe that some of these important messages have gotten through over the years and led to some of the positive developments here.

This year’s trip will be Thursday, May 12. Anyone who wants to attend cab contact chamber president Bob Smith at (740) 377-4550.

It is often said that Lawrence County gets ignored or forgotten by our leaders in Columbus. Now each of us has an opportunity to single-handedly help make sure that never happens.