IN IOWA, LIGHTENING IN THE SKY, CONFUSION ON THE GROUND
Yes, folks, it’s that time of year again; the beginning of a new January
with unusual phenomena happening. On Monday morning, January 2nd
at 6AM in Scott County, there was lightening but no thunder. For nearly
20 minutes this went on, then, the thunder could be heard. It was
very bizarre. At first I thought there was a barge going down
river, but they quit running over a month ago.
This type of weather has happened before, and in the winter it usually
is followed by a large amount of snow. We lucked out this time,
though. No snow, just rain and about 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
So what other odd events could be going on? Let’s see what’s happening in the Eastern IOWA/Western Illinois areas.
HOGS, HOGS, HOGS…Sound familiar? The East Moline, IL, City
Council decided on Monday, December 19th to unanimously approve Triumph
Corporation proceeding with the process that would allow them to build
a slaughterhouse ON A WETLAND. There’s no accounting for bad
judgement, is there?
The meeting was once again held at United Township High School and
attended by over 200 people. These concerned citizens took to the
podium to voice their opinions regarding this proposed industry.
One teenager was nearly in tears as she explained what happens to pigs
as they are raised for slaughter and how inhumanely they are treated at
the slaughterhouse itself.
Speaker Art Norris wondered whether the council would be filing
Department of Natural Resource permits. He was told all the
proper procedures ‘would be followed’ by East Moline Mayor John
Thodos. But, the mayor did admit a DNR permit had NOT been
done. Art’s concern is for White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons,
Eagles, Ospreys and other birds that use this wetland area as well as
endangered mussels there. He and his wife are avid outdoor people
and photographers.
Just that same afternoon, Terry Spence had sent me some startling
information. He is with GRACE (Global Resource Action Center For the
Environment) who spoke in Moline & Eldridge on December 3rd about
the terrible reality of slaughterhouses and what they do to communities.
He informed me that Triumph is being sued. They are not even open
for business and they already had a gas leak, fire and explosion that
killed one worker and injured 14 others in October. Eleven of
those injured are suing Triumph and 5 other companies, including the
local gas company for 66 counts of negligence. A valve had been
opened and there had been, according to the lawsuit, no chemical added to
the gas to give it an odor. So the gas ended up being ignited
somehow and an explosion and fire followed. I asked the council and
mayor if this was the type of company, one with no track record and
already getting ready to go to court, to be doing business in this
area. Apparently those attributes are good to go because of the
vote. The mayor asked me if there were any circumstances that
would make this slaughterhouse ok with me to build. I said “NO.”
That was the end of my statement. Until next time. We are
keeping track of what is going to happen next, so stay tuned.
According to the Rock Island, IL, ARGUS newspaper on Wednesday,
December 21st, their headline read “PORK PLANT NOT A DONE DEAL
YET.” According to reporter Jenny Lee, “If certain steps don’t
fall into place, Triumph Foods LLC still could pull out of its deal
with East Moline and build a pork plant somewhere else….(Let’s make it
so!)
“The redevelopment agreement between the city and Triumph requires
aldermen to approve and create a tax-increment finance district,
encompassing the proposed plant site on Barstow Road, on or before Jan.
1, 2007. (That’s one year from now!)
“If aldermen don’t authorize the creation of a TIF district, the
project will not happen, Mayor Thodos said…In a TIF district, taxing
bodies continue to collect existing tax revenue, but any new revenue
created by the development goes into a fund to be used for public
infrastructure or rebates to developers. The project also would
depend on the proposed site’s inclusion in an enterprise zone.
Moline, East Moline, Silvis, Milan and Rock Island County – members of
the zone – each will need to approve including the site in order for
developers to receive benefits.”
The RI Board of Supervisors would also need to vote on whether or not
to pay for widening Barstow Road for the project. The State of
Illinois also would need to offer a package incentive to Triumph, and
if that is not acceptable the deal could be off.
It was also noted in the article that Alderman Carol Doose “…believed opponents exaggerated possible impacts.”
For the entire article go to www.QCOnline.com
Well, we shall see what you think, Ms. Doose, after we make available to
you the book “SLAUGHTERHOUSE’ by GAIL EISNITZ. The truth
about what goes on in slaughterhouses is told here. The inside
cover of the book says in part, “…Along the way we encounter example
after example of mistreated animals…intolerable working conditions…lax
standards…the slow, painful DEATHS OF CHILDREN KILLED AS A RESULT OF
EATING CONTAMINATED MEAT…the author’s battle with the major television
networks…and a dangerously corrupt federal agency that chooses to do
nothing rather than risk the wrath of agribusiness…”
On the back cover of the book is this critique by Peter Singer, author
of “In Defense Of Animals & Animal Liberation”: “ I have just
read “SLAUGHTERHOUSE” at one sitting. It is a
stomach-churning, damning indictment of the meat industry. Gail
Eisnitz has penetrated the veil that hangs over meat production, and
what she has found will shock every reader. Eisnitz is a
brilliant investigator, writes superbly, and has the courage and
persistence of someone who knows that she is right. No longer can
anyone believe that in the United States there is adequate inspection
and control of slaughterhouses. As Eisnitz convincingly shows,
the meat industry is indifferent to animal suffering, exploitative of
its workers, and liable to produce a product that is riddled with
dangerous bacteria.
“Whether you eat meat or not – if you care about humans or animals – this book is a must read.”
Try to order the book, or maybe your local library has it. Or you can visit www.prometheusbooks.com
Don’t forget, it is always a good year to CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
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