Citizens concerned about livestock operations (05/06/06)

To the editor:

I am happy to be a very small part of the Johnson popcorn operation at Redkey (The Commercial Review, 4-21-06). The Johnsons are also excellent guardians of the land in general.

My parents (Eugene and Mary Herrmann) purchased our farm in 1945. Dad farmed with a small tractor for years and mom milked cows, made hay and shoveled manure right beside him.

What a farming revolution. Today I am in awe to walk into a field and find semis waiting for harvest. And to see the huge combine gliding across the field is mind-boggling; to ride in it, absolutely fascinating.

At the same time as I have adjusted to being “back on the farm,” after 30 years in Muncie, I have been increasingly disturbed with the attitude that state and county government has taken regarding CAFOs.

Am I anti-agriculture? No, or I would not be trying to continue the legacy that my parents established 60 years ago. Am I anti-CAFO? Not necessarily, but I have strong reservations, questions and some objections.

First and foremost, I do not want to see Jay County become the slogan, “land of manure odors.” If nothing else, the air pollution is totally infuriating. The irony is that odor could be controlled if farmers would just do it or else if regulations stipulated odor control.

I am concerned that regulations are not environmentally strict enough, like new barn construction on a hill right next to an open waterway. I am concerned that little or no consideration is given to surrounding non-CAFO property owners. I am concerned that property values decrease as more CAFOs arrive in the neighborhood.

Lastly, several farm publications have cautioned farmers not to go into over-production, specifically of pork, thus taking a financial risk should markets downturn, which has happened in the past. Seemingly, our esteemed governor has not read or heard those words when he told farmers that he wanted and intended to double the number of CAFOs in Indiana.

Especially with the negative environmental reports that are coming out of North Carolina, I think Jay County government should again take a step back and reassess just how far it wants to go with CAFOs. Is it worth making the majority of the county angry and frustrated as is happening in other counties?

A county official commented several months ago that Jay County was becoming “saturated” with CAFOs. What is the definition of “saturated” and when is enough enough?

Changing the make-up of the county zoning board would be a start.

Eugenia Herrmann

Redkey

Prom thanks

To the editor:

The 2006 Jay County High School Junior-Senior Prom was held April 22 at the Jay Community Center.

The junior class sponsors, Melanie Stockton and Kari Anderson, were a huge help to our committee as well as supporting the junior class as they turned the center into a “Tropical Temptation.” From the palm trees, waterfall and mechanical surfboard to the fruit munchies, all the details were well-planned. Thank you junior sponsors and junior class officers for a “beach experience.”

Thank yous also go out to: The JCHS administration, faculty and staff who attended that night or helped in any way; the sheriff’s department for assisting in the safety of all students and guests; Karmella VanSkyock and the food department at JCHS; and of course, the directors and staff of the Jay Community Center. All of you were so cooperative under new circumstances for all of us.

The community, businesses and organizations came through in a big way, with some of them donating for the first time ever. Thank you for supporting our youth activities.

Our after-prom committee worked very hard through the months of preparation and especially with the change of location with three weeks to go. The results were a smooth, organized night for the kids. Committee member chairpersons were: Roy and Susan Bunch, Rick and Lynn Locke, Jeff and Robin Alberson, Michael and Kathy Ayres, Marc and Tammy Bogenschutz, Dr. Tom and Rita Dunn, and Bud and Irene Heare. Thanks also to all the parents who assisted these chairpersons. Your son/daughter appreciated it.

Finally, thanks to all the students who attended, participated and behaved so well. It was fun to see you “transformed” (even it it was for a few hours). Hopefully, your memories of your “Tropical Temptation” will remain a special part of your high school experience.

Aloha.

Dave and Jane Reinhart and Dave and Melissa Taylor, chairs, after-prom parent committee

Thanks

To the editor:

We, the members of the East Elementary Just Say No Club would like to thank the following for their support and assistance during the 2005-06 school year: Tyson Mexican Originals, Ritz Theatre, Dave Lowe of Fort Recovery Construction, Hunt’s Emporium, The Flower Nook, Dairy Queen, Cook’s Nursery, Oasis, Classic Nails, Arby’s, The Annex, Country Creek Primitives, Pizza Hut, Subway, Baird-Freeman Funeral Home, Jay County Monuments, Patriot Sportswear, The Morning Optimist Club, Bear Creek Farms, Moser Engineering, The Glass Bonsai, Liggett’s Greenhouse, Locker’s Country Place, Sharlette’s Fudgery, Manor’s Foot Care Shop, Beyond the Gilded Willow, First National Bank, MainSource Bank, Sugar & Slice, The East Elementary PTO, Outback Tanning, Community Home Improvement, Richard’s Restaurant, John Hawn, Lisa Evans and Debbie Adams.

A special thank you to Pat Wells for being our guest speaker at our banquet, where you shared your story about the Hurricane Katrina disaster and all the assistance that was given to the Gulf Coast. Your story inspired us all to extend not only our hearts but also our hands when help is needed.

It has been a fun-filled, successful year and we appreciate all the help we received to encourage each of us to lead a drug-free life.

Sincerely,

Linda Lowe and Jane Prescott, for the members of the Just Say No Club[[In-content Ad]]