To the editor,

I recently attended a Pierce County land use meeting where many of us were asking for a 1-year moratorium on new CAFO farm operations here in Pierce County. Over 25 people spoke out against the business practice including many farmers.

As a small business person living on the Rush River I am concerned about the impact on the water both in the river and our ground water. The board voted to grant a 6-month moratorium in order to study the impact. Now in an apparent nonpublic meeting, at least I did not get a notice, they have reversed their vote. This is a slap in the face to the neighbors and residents of Pierce County; we came in good faith to have our voices heard and I believe this is an unconscionable act of back room democracy; or more like it lack thereof.

I came out with my fellow citizens thinking that the board would act in good faith, apparently that was naive of me.

*Editor’s note: The July 27 Pierce County Land Conservation Committee meeting where the committee voted 3-2 against the moratorium ordinance language was open to the public. For a list of Pierce County meetings, go to their website: www.co.pierce.wi.us

Philip Kashian

Ellsworth