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No CAFO

We met with the IDEM on Jan. 31 at an informational meeting (not a hearing). We felt we had a gag over our mouths and our hands tied behind us with only them telling us that they had fulfilled their job!

It is up to our county commissioners and our Area Plan committee (which did not have the backbone to put any regulations on a large CAFO).

Now, as to the "perfect location," there are 15 residences that will be dramatically affected, among them are two widows, two single women and one man fighting cancer. Their homes are their greatest asset.

We do have our farm ground which probably will not decrease in value, but our home will be greatly devalued. Our son had hoped to retire in our house one day and be the fifth generation there, but with the incoming CAFO, they are having second thoughts.

We will be left to live in the stench, breathe the confluent air emitted from this dairy, endure the increased fly and rodent activity, and any pestilent diseases that may result.

At our recent RN meeting, Connie Hughes talked about preparing for a possible pandemic flu, for example, the Chicken Flu in China. We should think about this with all the manure being spread on our land in Indiana, but especially be on watch in Carroll County since we are the largest hog producer in the state.

With our own local farmers being the hog producers, why are we allowing a foreign company to impose a large CAFO in Carroll County? What about local tax-paying citizens?

We are looking at more traffic on our roads, more road repair, possibly a burden on our school systems and social services, increases in domestic violence, and more crimes and danger to our health from pollution.

Everyone who is pushing for this is doing it for money for themselves. What profit do you see coming to the county? As far as we can see, they will only pay property tax. The dairies get a subsidy for their milk from the government. There is no inventory tax on livestock or merchandise, so the homeowners are the ones to get the increase in taxes.

We had the opportunity to go into this dairy program, but declined, hoping the farmers would stick together and prevent the dairy from the manure distribution allotment. But the majority who are willing to spread the manure are not spreading it around their home. I talked to a mail carrier from Twelve Mile area who said, "When they haul manure, my car smells like a manure spreader."

Do we need this? Is this the only way? What about majority rule? Are a few people going to dictate to the majority?

Let's put it to a vote. If the majority of Carroll County residents want CAFOs, we will live with it, but feel betrayed by Carroll County!

Would you like this near your home? Contact your commissioner with your opinion.

Bob and Rosemary Dyer

Cutler