Report from the March 28 meeting of the Poweshiek Board of Supervisors

Joyce Otto summarized the outcome of the March 28 meeting of the Poweshiek Board of Supervisors:

Ultimately, we lost this battle. But we have not lost the war.

Today's wins:

1. About 100 people came to support the communities in Pleasant and Sugar Creek Townships. This number is more than we have ever had at a board of supervisors' meeting. We are growing, and we are learning to stand together. The individuals living in Hoksbergen territory deserve this outpour of support.
2. Lamoyne Gaard, one of the three county supervisors, voted against the expansions. From reading his earlier emails, I did not think he would. That was a pleasant surprise. Thanks, Lamoyne!
3. We had the opportunity to share what is in our hearts. It was veryimpressive to see how much knowledge we have gained since we started. Weare solidifying our mission. And today, we worked together like anorchestra! We each made our points yet spoke loudly as a unified group! I was so proud of us!
4. We maintained good conduct even when we heard Hoksbergen call himself a “good neighbor,” and when Wilson and White voted for these horrendous hog confinements. Realistically, we all had very strong negative feelings, but still did not behave in a way we had to regret. (However, it was almost beyond my abilities!)
5. Children were a part of our mission --­ about ten of them. Even at their young age, their wise words demonstrated a better understanding of the detrimental effects of hog confinements better than our own supervisors do.
6. The intense emotions this meeting generated are inspiring more energy within the group, which will help propel us to the next level. It is this energy that will generate new tactics, new activities, new ideas to promote our purpose to the rest of Iowa.
7. I feel the supervisors had made their decisions before we even arrived. They still listened to us for almost two hours. Where are their hearts? They must have a deep need to support the “farmer”? “factory farms”? “Farm Bureau”? “Money”? We need to spend more time with them to figure this out.
8. Several of the citizens that live near the Hoksbergen confinements shared that they felt our support. They were amazed with our organization, and said they never dreamt that today's meeting would be so impressive. They felt our care -- now that is what Poweshiek CARES is all about! (I never want anyone to feel as alone as I did ten months ago with our hog confinement expansion situation.) You could feel their pain, yet see their determination when they spoke.
9. This meeting verified that some believe money is more important than quality of life. Poweshiek CARES knows this is not true. We cannot consider ourselves the losers when we know what we are doing is the right thing. We will prevail as long as we keep these priorities.
10. The sffected communities are ready to make further decisions. They will be stronger people in the end, and Poweshiek CARES will be with them on this new journey.

Joyce also announced that there will be a meeting of Poweshiek CARES at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, to plan our next steps. Details to follow.