July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
A piece of our history going away
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
My name is Lawrence C. Cook, the namesake of my grandfather, Lawrence C. Cook. He lived, cleared and farmed the land that myself and others live on now in this part of Jay County. The stories say my great grandfather lived just west of where my family and I live now. By all accounts he was a huge man — 6-feet 8-inches or more. Our family has been here more than 100 years.
This is what brings me to write this letter. The history of Jay County seems to be lost. As I drove around the western part of Jay County I was amazed to see two to four large hog feeding buildings in every square mile. Now it is our turn to endure this invasion of thousands of swine with smells that will turn your stomach. The part of history for Jay County that will be lost is the area proposed for the feeding operation by D. Lowe. This area is very close to a site that many school children have learned is a very significant area in our county. I believe this as well. No, there are no signs pointing to the site, and no longer is there an access lane to the site across a farmer’s field. It’s long since been plowed over for more farmland. I am sure that no longer will there be field trips from local schools. What third, fourth or fifth grader could or would want to endure the smell of thousands of head of swine and a mortality compost site that is where the dead animals will be put to rot?
The site I speak of is the Brooks family homestead and family cemetery, located just hundreds of feet east of the new proposed hog feeding operation. This family was the first permanent settlers of Jay County. Though one other family settled in Jay County before the Brooks, they did not stay. They moved on to a more civilized area. I encourage all to go to the library or historical society and pick up a book and read a little about the family. What they endured was because they wanted to, not because they were going to be made to endure, as we are in this area, the smells and filth that will be cast upon everyone in the area.
I have contacted the state historical landmark association for help. The families in this area need the help of the public to help stop this. We ask for everyone in the county to write in opposing this confined feeding operation.
I am sure the EPA says it is safe for the waterways, creeks and groundwater, but they are not the ones drinking from the wells and breathing the air.
Going back to my childhood 40 years ago, I remember fishing at the Brooks Creek bridge located at county roads 800 West and 200 South and catching bluegill and bass from pools in the creek and hearing stories of large catfish and turtles. No longer will this be possible for us to pass on to our children. So again, please write and contact Jay/Portland Building and Planning and Jay County Planning Commission and help us. It may be your back yard next.
Thank you.
Lawrence C. Cook
rural Redkey[[In-content Ad]]
My name is Lawrence C. Cook, the namesake of my grandfather, Lawrence C. Cook. He lived, cleared and farmed the land that myself and others live on now in this part of Jay County. The stories say my great grandfather lived just west of where my family and I live now. By all accounts he was a huge man — 6-feet 8-inches or more. Our family has been here more than 100 years.
This is what brings me to write this letter. The history of Jay County seems to be lost. As I drove around the western part of Jay County I was amazed to see two to four large hog feeding buildings in every square mile. Now it is our turn to endure this invasion of thousands of swine with smells that will turn your stomach. The part of history for Jay County that will be lost is the area proposed for the feeding operation by D. Lowe. This area is very close to a site that many school children have learned is a very significant area in our county. I believe this as well. No, there are no signs pointing to the site, and no longer is there an access lane to the site across a farmer’s field. It’s long since been plowed over for more farmland. I am sure that no longer will there be field trips from local schools. What third, fourth or fifth grader could or would want to endure the smell of thousands of head of swine and a mortality compost site that is where the dead animals will be put to rot?
The site I speak of is the Brooks family homestead and family cemetery, located just hundreds of feet east of the new proposed hog feeding operation. This family was the first permanent settlers of Jay County. Though one other family settled in Jay County before the Brooks, they did not stay. They moved on to a more civilized area. I encourage all to go to the library or historical society and pick up a book and read a little about the family. What they endured was because they wanted to, not because they were going to be made to endure, as we are in this area, the smells and filth that will be cast upon everyone in the area.
I have contacted the state historical landmark association for help. The families in this area need the help of the public to help stop this. We ask for everyone in the county to write in opposing this confined feeding operation.
I am sure the EPA says it is safe for the waterways, creeks and groundwater, but they are not the ones drinking from the wells and breathing the air.
Going back to my childhood 40 years ago, I remember fishing at the Brooks Creek bridge located at county roads 800 West and 200 South and catching bluegill and bass from pools in the creek and hearing stories of large catfish and turtles. No longer will this be possible for us to pass on to our children. So again, please write and contact Jay/Portland Building and Planning and Jay County Planning Commission and help us. It may be your back yard next.
Thank you.
Lawrence C. Cook
rural Redkey[[In-content Ad]]
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