Informational meeting about factory hog lots
This was just posted in a thread below and I felt it deserves wider notice. If anyone is interested or concerned about the planned factory hog log proposed for the Barstow area, this seems like an excellent opportunity to educate yourself about it's impact.
Public Hog Plant and Confinement meetings set for this week:Robert F. Kennedy's "Waterkeeper Alliance", a group dedicated to preventing water pollution, has long opposed these "CAFOs," or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.
Saturday Dec 3, 2005--
10am to noon
Riverside Life Center
2420 41st St
Moline IL
2pm to 4pm
Eldridge Public Library
200 N 6th Av
Eldridge IA
Attend these FREE public informational meetings to learn how these businesses will impact the community and our environment. They reach out 80 to 100 miles from origin when built!
See some experts talk about it - not just politicians.....
Since 1999, Waterkeeper Alliance has focused on the environmental and social devastation caused by large factory farms (“CAFOs,” or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). CAFOs, which cram thousands of animals into warehouse style buildings, create one of the greatest sources of water pollution in the country. CAFOs contribute to the pollution of 129,000 river miles, 3.2 million lake acres, and more than 2,800 estuarine square miles.Where do "YoungRIDem" and Sen. Jacobs stand on this issue? One would presume that their professed love of and desire to protect our waterways as evidenced by their wanting to give handouts to a company which may or may not stem the Asian Carp infestation would assure that they're firmly opposed to these factory hog farms. I wonder.
What does this mean to you? In many states, a summer day at your favorite spots for fishing, swimming, or canoeing can be ruined by water pollution caused by CAFOs. Massive algae blooms, fish kills, high levels of bacteria in the water – all of these things are caused by CAFO pollution. And it’s not just on the surface - drinking water from wells may be contaminated with nitrates from CAFOs, causing serious health problems.
posted by The Inside Dope @ 11/29/2005
12 comments
12 Comments:
Are these experts or organized nimbys?
My guess is likely both. (for those wondering, "nimby" stands for "not in my back yard".)
But as long as the information is factual and based on the results of other similar operations opening elsewhere, it's an important service.
As in any matter, informed citizens are best able to make informed decisions.
Both sides should be able to present their cases, but as it stands, usually the interest with the most money tries to slip things past the public, or at the very least, have politicians who endorse their plans unquestioningly. Events such as these ensure that the right questions get asked.
Any group which represents the public, who are usually at a distinct disadvantage in these instances, are a good thing. Right or wrong, they at least force the moneyed interests and politicians to justify their actions.
I'm confused. I thought the operation going into East Moline was a hog slaughtering plant. The fear is that there will be a proliferation of hog farms by operators who want to be located close to a slaughtering operation. I'm not sure if this is true. I haven't seen any cattle confinement operations built near IBP in Joslin. What you will have is smell - no matter how much they insist the process doesn't stink, hogs do and just transporting them in and out and confining them in holding pens will produce that fine hog odor that I recall from my days growing up on a livestock farm. You will also have a lot of truck traffic, and yes, even though the pay and benefits sound good, there aren't a lot of Rock Island County natives that will be able to stand the working conditions - check out the workforce of IBP where wages are comparable.
It looks and sounds to me that these meetings are completely set up by Doug Riel and the other "nimbys"
Did they invite both sides to speak or are only the "experts" that share their views going to take the stage?
I don't think there is anything wrong with holding a meeting on the possible negatives, but it seems a little dishonest to label is as simply "a public informational meeting".
Of course I could be wrong, Mabye they did send out invites to "experts" who can speak for the issue, but I doubt it.
I must admit I don't know who is sponsoring these meetings, nor do I know who Doug Riel is.
I imagine however, that the people or company which is financing this operation will more than likely have all the press they want to state their case, as well as local legislators firmly backing them, possibly with tax breaks and subsidies as well.
It would be hard to find a problem with opponents holding a couple small meetings.
I admit I'm uninformed about the details of this proposed operation at the moment and need to find out more.
Doug Riel is twisting the facts because of a personal agenda. And for the record what we are talking here is slaughter and processing not confinement, there are no stockyards associated with this proposal.
What is actually offensive in my opinion, is seeing Mikey Jacobs mouth off to the press about this project, when he was told to keep this matter quiet until any official announcements. He may have helped bring about a public relations fiasco that could actually kill the deal, because everyone else involved with the project has worked from the same playbook, and only Mikey J. has gone maverick.
Mike Jacobs - please move to the back of the bus!
Two things from your comment above anon...
1. You should realize by now that Mike Jacobs is going to RUN to the nearest camera about any issue, no matter how small or how goofy.
It seems like an almost desperate desire to be seen and heard. I'm clueless as to why he appears to be consumed with this desire to constantly be seen trying to put lipstick on pigs (no pun intended) It's become like watching a slow-motion train wreck, and frankly makes no sense and does him far more harm than good... but anyway, Mike jumping in front of a mic and spouting off about something before he knows an issue should come as no surprise.
2. It could be suspected that you have some sort of financial interest in this hog operation, as you seem peeved that it wasn't done in the dark of night, so to speak, under the public and media radar.
If you have to sneak something through, it's probably not a good thing.
And though I appreciate your not wanting distorted facts being out there, and wanting to avoid a protracted PR war, if the operation is truly all good and little bad, then you should easily win any PR battle with the facts.
And I'd suggest being totally honest about the downsides of this as well. People may just understand and feel the benefits outweight the costs. As they say, the coverup is always worse than the crime.
Oh.. and I forgot... for my benefit and others, who is Doug Riel, what is his "personal agenda" and why does he have it?
When mentioning people by name here, you should ensure you provide some basis for what you say about them.
Two things from your comment above anon...
1. You should realize by now that Mike Jacobs is going to RUN to the nearest camera about any issue, no matter how small or how goofy.
It seems like an almost desperate desire to be seen and heard. I'm clueless as to why he appears to be consumed with this desire to constantly be seen trying to put lipstick on pigs (no pun intended) It's become like watching a slow-motion train wreck, and frankly makes no sense and does him far more harm than good... but anyway...
Secondly, it seems like you're miffed that Sen. Jacobs didn't follow orders. This is a bit disturbing. In that case, I think Mike jumping in front of a mic and speaking on the issue is certainly his right.
Your complaint would seem to confirm that those with financial clout and stakes in business are the actual powers behind the throne, so to speak, which really comes as no shock, but it's refreshing to have it discussed so openly.
Mike was supposed to "keep this quiet" until you guys could make your move, and he jumped the gun. Well, I'm sure your contributions to his campaign will reflect your displeasure at his not following orders.
But if Jacobs thumbed his nose at being led by the same by you or the interests behind this operation, then good on him.
2. It could be suspected that you have some sort of financial interest in this hog operation, as you seem peeved that it wasn't done in the dark of night, so to speak, under the public and media radar.
If you have to sneak something through, it's probably not a good thing.
And though I appreciate your not wanting distorted facts being out there, and wanting to avoid a protracted PR war, if the operation is truly all good and little bad, then you should easily win any PR battle with the facts.
And I'd suggest being totally honest about the downsides of this as well. People may just understand and feel the benefits outweight the costs.
As they say, the coverup is always worse than the crime.
Jacobs blew the horn on what a small crowd wanted to keep secret until the company had signed all of the letters of agreement. I think the public should know more, and having more sunlight rather than less may be a good thing.
Thanks for clarifying that anon.
In that case, it appears the good Senator almost blew up a little chunk of the economic development he likes to take credit for.
Quick Sen Mike Jacobs -- run downtown right now -- a camera is filming someone picking their nose and your opinion on the situation is vital!!!
This is a top secret event yet your insight may glean light on the methods being used. Should the public know how it's being done? Only you, our Senator appointee, can make that decision.
Hurry Mike -- go now before the press leaves so you can get your all important comments published....
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