Letter to the Editor

Dear representatives of Decatur City Government and Local Media,

I am writing today in deep frustration and out of grave concern that our local government seems to be ignoring the clear and overwhelming will of the governed in Decatur regarding 130.02 restricting live animal slaughter in the city limits of Decatur. As someone who moved to Decatur 8 years ago because of the charm and quiet, and who respected greatly the progress being made on rebuilding a town that had been hit hard by the recession in the late ‘aughts, I am especially frustrated to see PR events being set up to tour the proposed plant site by the company that wants to move the live slaughter of animals into our city, against the wishes of those living here.

First, and information request and demand – has the council already voted or committed in public or in secret to change the ordinance? Have any assurances been given to IO Meat Processing that such a change will be made for them in order to allow them to occupy 400 Chamber Drive for that purpose? If we were to request a public records search under the

Access to Public Records Act, is there any information we would find that would not already be in the open and public record regarding the intent of council or the mayor’s office to assure IO of the safety of their investment and that they would be allowed to operate?

Second, what environmental impact studies have been conducted and completed by the council or designees on the waste disposal processes, the environmental record of the company involved and its associated companies, and on slaughterhouses in general similarly situated inside similarly arranged rural communities?

Third, what guarantees including complete shutdown of operations to deal with any violations, have been built into any proposed language regarding the rescinding of 103.02 or any other relevant city ordinances? Is the council contemplating a simple abrogation of the policy in total? Or is there verbiage protecting the local community in the interim if any of the promises made by the company fail? What have you done or contemplated in regards to the laws of the city to ensure that any assurances given to you in exchange for your vote of support turn out to be false, unattainable, or otherwise fail to materialize?

Finally, do you have a statement en banc or individually on where you stand on the subject that you are willing to share with the the media herein cc’d or that will be included in future emails?

The community was clear and frankly waiting for elections to allow the community to speak to any perception of a breach of trust with them would come too late if the council allows this to move forward and damage Decatur’s recent record of growth and relevancy.

I stand with so many community leaders and citizens of our town when I say that what is being contemplated here will cause irreparable harm to the town’s future prospects. That this was voiced so overwhelmingly yet the council and IO seem to be operating as if the plant coming online is fait accompli is beyond worrisome. It represents a basic breach of trust. Please take steps to repair that breach now.

Sincerely and in great frustration I remain,

Mike Webb CC: Mayor of Decatur, City of Decatur Council