Urges public to learn about CAFOs

To the citizens of Carroll County, I would challenge all concerned of this wonderful and caring county to take a close look at what is happening in the agri-business industry and how it is going to effect our children and grandchildren for many years to come.

As readers of this newspaper know, a mega dairy factory is proposed to be located in Democrat Township, about one mile south of Cutler, just east of State Road 75. Kim Black is the owner of this property. I organized a meeting at the Cutler Fire Station on April, 12 to get rumors turned into facts so that we, as concerned citizens of Carroll County, can address what this mega dairy factory will do to our rural way of life.

As a concerned neighbor, I called Mr. Black and invited him to attend this meeting. As far as I know, he did not show up.

The concerned neighbors in the Cutler area gathered 75 signatures requesting a moratorium from the County Commissioners to stop issuing any more Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) permits until new ordinances can be in place to help protect the health, safety and

The Comet welcomes letters to the editor responding to articles and events in the news. They must include the author's name, address and telephone number. The letter writer's name and city/town will appear in the paper no exceptions. Letters must be 400 words or less in length. Please send your letters to: editor@ carrollcountycomet.com; Letters to the Editor, Comet, P.O. Box 26, Flora, IN 46929 or P.O. Box 179, Delphi, IN 46923; or fax 574-967-3384 or 765-564-2010. By submitting a letter or opinion article, the author grants the Comet the right to publish, distribute, archive or use the work in print, electronic, on-line or other format. welfare of all present and future citizens of Carroll County.

If the Economic Development Corporation would do their homework and look at what this type of mega dairy factory will do to the area, they would be having second thoughts about bringing this to Carroll County. For the best place to find information about what this type mega dairy factory can do to the environment and the neighborhood, go to www.factoryfarm.org on the internet and read testimonials from neighboring people and government officials around the country as well as testimonials from scientists and doctors before the United States Senate committees.

In closing I would like to say to all citizens of Carroll County, please find out as much information about this type of mega dairy operation so that you can be well informed and help the leaders of Carroll County truly protect our health, safety and welfare.

Now is time to change the ordinances to bring Carroll County into the 21st century.

Jerry L. Carter

Cutler

Want answers

Driving home on SR 75, we see children flying kites, riding their bicycles, jumping on a trampoline, and just playing in their backyards. Is concentrated methane gas, ammonia hydrogen sulfide emitted into the air safe? Do you want flies on our kids' lollipops, ice cream bars, at our picnics and backyard barbecues? Let's do our homework.

We object to the site location selected for the CAFO dairy. It is two miles downwind from Cutler, the thickest population in Democrat Township.

We're not objecting to economic development, but let's be informed about Vreba-Hoff dairies. Who are they? We've read some very negative articles. Those with internet hook-up - lookup Vreba-Hoff CAFO dairies in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and other states. Let's not let the fox in the chicken house.

We want to know: v What are their responsibilities to the community? v What about this added heavy traffic on our roads? Are they going to be responsible for the upkeep?

vWhat is it going to do to our underground water?

vWhat are they going to do to keep the flies controlled?

vWhat are they going to do to control rodents? (they love grain)

vWhat about sewage? How is it going to be disposed of safely?

vIf this enterprise collapses one day, will it be their responsibility for clean-up and remediation?

vWhat about the residences of long-standing being imposed on and their property values going down?

vWho is going to oversee the construction of this dairy and the lagoons? Will there be random inspections?

vDo we really need to invite a 3,500-cow dairy into Carroll County?

Just drive north of Logansport to Twelve Mile and see the dairy there. On the corner is a vacant home with a "For Sale" sign in the yard. The neighbor said that "they couldn't stand it any longer." The neighbor also said, "If I told you it didn't smell, I'd be lying."

Right now there are no infractions because the regulations are so lax and do not include mega-diary conglomerates.

Wake up Carroll County. They are spreading our way! We need legislation now. Write our legislators and make them aware of what we are inviting into our state.

Are we going to be the cesspool of the Midwest?

Bob and Rosemary Dyer

Cutler

Eligibility and student loans

Alan Shultz is to be commended for raising awareness of the Higher Education Act's denial of student loans to youth convicted of drug offenses. I wonder if Indiana Representative Mark Souder is proud of the fact that Indiana leads the nation in disenfranchised kids as a result of the law he authored. Instead of empowering at-risk students with a college degree, HEA limits career opportunities and increases the likelihood that those affected will resort to crime. Speaking of crime, convicted rapists and murderers are still eligible for federal student loans.

Most students outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be life-shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), former President Bill Clinton opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism. And thousands of Americans have paid the price in the form of shattered lives. More Americans went to prison or jail during the Clinton administration than during any past administration.

As an admitted former drinker and alleged illicit drug user, President George W. Bush is also politically vulnerable when it comes to drugs. While youthful indiscretions didn't stop Clinton or Bush from assuming leadership positions, an arrest surely would have. The short-term effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared to the longterm effects of criminal records. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy

www.csdp.org P.O. Box 59181 Washington, DC 20012