HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_1638around here. And you look at the fields they cultivate. They're beautifully done. They do everything in a
first-class manner I just want to endorse them. They are hereto stay. They didn't just arrive yesterday to
try and push something over onus Look at tobacco farmers. They are closing down. They are needing other
things to do. This will provide another resource that we did not have before for these people to move to. I
appreciate what they're trying to do.
Laraine Watt (apparent): I'm a land owner in the area. I'm very much for alternative fuels I think there's a
need, and Iredell County should be involved in this. My concern is --think about it --it requires all these
permits --special tanks, special ditches, special safety systems This implies that there's some inherent
safety issues with a biodiesel plant and because of this, I think the appropriate place for this type of plant is
not in a residential area but in an industrial park. Iredell County has industrial parks I think this is where this
plant shouldgo. Asa resident of the area --I don't have children, but I'm very concerned about truck traffic.
I'm concerned with the school buses They said trucks would travel from 7a.m. to 7 p.m., that involves all the
time the school buses are on those roads North Iredell High School is in the area All the teenagers who are
learning to drive. There's a lot that travel on Snow Creek I'm concerned about that. Personally, I'm a bicycle
rider. I love north Iredell I get to go out and ride my bike. I ride that on Snow Creek I don't want to come
around a curve and see one of those tanker trucks so I'm concerned -- not just for myself but for other
bicyclers --other drivers. I'm very much for this plant but not in the residential area I think we can find
another place to put it.
Becky AWme (opponent): I live next to the site. We've heard some experts testify that the dangers are
fairly benign Fairly benign doesn't reassure me. Fairly benign shouldni t reassure anyone. The question is: Do
we take a chance? Do we take a chance with our children? A#of our lives we've had fatalities on our road I
echo the sentiments of Ms Watt who said she's for the biodiesel fuel plant I just haven't heard, other than
monetary reasons, why we have to have it on our road Why we should?
Jim Freekurd (opponent): I've got some newspapers here that talk about how dangerous biodiesel is.
(inaudible) two pages of that. Plant fire in Idaho proves deadly - biodiesel. Domestic production of biodiesel
health and safety warning. The /Newell Energy Group says (inaudible) What I want to know is --last count I
heard I'm a member and owner operator (inaudible) out of Oak Grove, Missouri, and according to that
organization its taking a dollar gallon subsidy from the U.S. government to make these things break even. So
that'sgoing to get into my pocket through my taxes. If this thing won't carry itself, why do we need it?
Ramie Wooten (proponent): I live at 406 North Chipley Ford Road which is approximately two miles from the
site we're discussing tonight. ram in favor ofgranting this petition to the McLain I know we've heard a lot
of things here tonight, and I think that on each side we could probably refute and rebut each on back and
forth all night long. One thing that's for sure is that myself and everybody sitting inhere just about are
neighbors and we're going to be neighbors after the vote. But, the thing that comes down to me making a
decision on which side of the room I was sitting on was trust. Mr. Brown, who spoke earlier, alluded to the fact
that the type of operation that the McLain run and I think we have to look back at the history of their form
and see what type of job they've done with their farm. Will they continue that in their new endeavor? I think
they will. I know they will. Do we trust them that they'll stay in compliance? Do we trust them that they'll run
a safe operation? I know that we can because they are people of integrity as you've heard several people
tonight allude to. Living within a mile of Phil and Louise and Mike and Janet for the past 30 years, I can tell
you that on serving on committees with them, and being neighbors with them, that what they say, they will do.
They wouldn't have brought you facts tonight that are not true. They wouldn't have brought you facts tonight
that are maybes) If you look at the operation that they run as described in the Record and Landmark and our
other weekly paper herein Statesville, you'll see that they do an outstanding job in what they do. They know
their facts and they're prepared when theygo into business So, it's with no reservations tonight that I come
to you, each of you, and ask you that you support their rezoning request and hope that you'll take that in
consideration of your decision.
Sam Dobson (adrocate): I'm a representative of Dobson Farms and also the Snow Creek community. Over
200 years ago, I know my family showed up in the Snow Creek community to establish a vision. Establish a
vision for their families, to provide a place to live and have a farm. To grow families, educate their children,
and grow a community -- build o church. After hearing the testimonies of all the people tonight, I think the
vision of the mission is accomplished. It was kind of ironic, I was coming home from Washington, D.C., after
listening to congressmen talking about alternative fuels and the future of agriculture with words like direct
marketing, niche, organic biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, bio fuels When I came I opened the Statesville
Record d Landmark only to seethe McLain Farms' proposal for the biodiesel facility. I was very excited to see
the formers in our community were being proactive in advancing in technology in securing the future of
agriculture and our homes However, as time went by, I heard the concern of the community as we ie hearing
tonight People that meant something tome as Igrew up in the Snow Creek Church. People that I call friends
and family. So I wanted to look into this situation further, myself, to make sure the neighbors that I've loved
all my life were taken care off. After meeting with Phil McLain, at the proposed site, and understanding that
they were willing to move the facility back to the top of the hill, I was 100% convinced that this site would be
safe for our children, our grandchildren, and the future to come. The McLain have always done a wonderful
job as you've heard the testimony tonight ofgoing into things planned, and this is no different. As far as the
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