More than 60 Iowans called on Gov. Chet Culver on Saturday to make good on a campaign pledge to give locals more control over large hog operations that stink and sometimes pollute Iowa's waterways.

Three years ago, Culver, as a gubernatorial candidate, told reporters in Carroll that if elected he would work to strike a balance between the interests of pork producers and rural residents. “I think we have to empower the local officials and the local residents to weigh in on these decisions,” he said at the time.

On Saturday, members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement said he has thus far failed to make that a reality – and has one more legislative session to live up to his word.

“If he expects to be around more than one term, we want to see something out of him,” said Bloomfield farmer Garry Klicker, 63. “It's only fair – he campaigned on the issue.”

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