Board of Supervisors public hearing: March 18, 2013

Joyce Otto writes:

The weather did not cooperate with us today as we traveled to Montezuma for the public hearing regarding the four new confinements (18,660 hogs) in Pleasant and Sugar Creek townships. About twelve of us were able to make it. Several of the affected neighbors voiced their concern about their quality of life and property value being taken away by the construction of these CAFOs. They not only spoke of their private property concerns, but also concerns for Ewart, Searsboro and Lynville.

Doug Hocksbergen and his son, Levi, attended the meeting. We were able to speak to them directly. The person that completed the Master Matrix was also there, along with that guy's wife and one supportive neighbor, Eric Fynaardt (Sugar Creek). Eric said that farmers are making $.40/bushel more with no travel expenses for the seed company -- is that true? What is being made?

The negative effects of CAFOs in Poweshiek County are going beyond tolerance. The painful concern in those people's voices was very sincere. How many citizens are going to have to go through this?

Their pain made it obvious that not one of us can wear down in our work. We must keep thinking and working to get this injustice stopped! Know that each of your emails/letters to the supervisors and legislatures IS worth the effort. And we need them now!! The packet of information needs to be completed by March 28th!! Send in your email/letter of concern now! It also would be very helpful to call them on behalf of these citizens. A bunch of calls and emails might have an effect on their decision. We all know that once the buildings are up, nothing can be done.

If you like examining documents, we could use more help on that. The master matrix for the Sugar Creek confinement will be reviewed at the Board of Supervisors' meeting on Thursday, March 21, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Let me know and I will get you the document.

Write those letters/emails and make those calls!! Do not be shy!!

Supervisors:

• Larry Wilson, poweshieksupervisorwilson@gmail.com, 641-236-7996
• Trevor White, tnpwhite@netins.net, 641-990-1774
• LaMoyne Gaard, lamoyne@iowatelecom.net, 641-236-3598

State Representative:

• David Maxwell, dave.maxwell@legis.iowa.gov

State Senator:

• Tim Kapucian, tim.kapucian@legis.iowa.gov, 515-281-3371 (Senate switchboard)

And if you have anybody who would help, forward this message to them. Please, these citizens do not want to live like this. We are against big money, so we need to get big numbers of calls and emails/letters.