As many in our community have been diligently working to educate both our neighbors and county officials about the negative impact an ethanol refinery would have on the town of Milford and surrounding lake communities, Gov. Mitch Daniels gives affirmation to the message of the NLACCA.In a recent radio interview, he stated in regards to location of ethanol refineries that "local people should have the determination. If the folks in Milford don't want that plant and there will be other places that do, it should never go where local folks truly, sincerely think it will detract and not add to their quality of life."
During another radio interview, Andy Miller, agriculture director for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, reiterated the governor's previous statement that if residents don't want it (the refinery) located in Milford, it shouldn't be there. During the same interview, Miller was asked about a current House Bill which prohibits development of confined animal feeding operations within 1 mile of any schools, city, town or nursing home. The proposal of this bill is in response to citizens' concerns about plummeting property values from smell, dust and heavy traffic, as well as compromising their health. When asked why the same law does not apply to ethanol refineries, Miller indicated we the State House encourage communities to write the laws that would prohibit such activity.
I'm glad to know our concerns are being heard. I'm sure the 100 residential properties located within a 1/2 mile, the more than 600 within the next 1/2 mile, and the 100s and 100s of residents from the lake communities who have said "no" and will be affected by the proposed site are also gratified to be heard. We can only pray our county officials hear the words expressed by our state officials and take responsibility for protecting our interests.
