The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

October 17, 2012

Your View: Compost facility source of pollution

John W. Brindley Sr., Good Thunder

— It was April 19 when I first heard of this very secret, industrial sized garbage composting facility to be built 11⁄2 miles from my home. This was after the site had already been approved by both the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Blue Earth County commissioners and the Lyra Township Board.

You should first know that my research has shown that England and Canada have been composting on this scale for years and they are aware that toxic airborne Aspergilla (and other molds and fungi) cause long-lasting lung infections and complicate the lives of young people, old people and asthmatics. They have rules and regulations that their facilities are placed away from residential properties.

This site has 63 adults — plus children — living within two miles. You also should know that the local creek is the designated destination of runoff from this site, named Full Circle Organics LLC (LLC stands for Limited Liability Corporation).

At the meeting with Blue Earth County commissioners, they listened, flipped through the scientific reports and said, “We’ve worked on this for a year, it’s too late to change.”

At the meeting with the township board members, they listened, but were in fear of being sued, said that since they already approved the project, they could not rescind.

At the meeting with the MPCA, I learned that their purpose is not to protect us from pollution, but to “go green.” Yes, we need to recycle and compost. Could we please do it responsibly?

Does MPCA care? Do Blue Earth County commissioners care? Does anyone?

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Your View
  • mfp jentgesmug Many counter-argue global warming

    Like Leigh Pomeroy (Act now on Earth Day, April 27) I try to do what I can as an individual to protect the environment, and encourage others to do likewise.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp maertens mug Republicans natter about 'I' word

    Mitt Romney first politicized the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, only hours after the event, by claiming the president sympathized with terrorists

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp yezzimug ACA benefits ignored by writer

    Bob Jentges’ May 8 My View strikes me as being like a football coach trying to frighten players into quitting when the game has barely begun. His wholly negative piece reads like a catalog of scare tactics.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Apology in abuse case was not accepted

    I am the mother of the victim in the Miguel Beltran child abuse case. I would like to clarify one thing in regards to the recent article that was printed.

    May 21, 2013

  • Highway cleanup crews priceless at 100 degrees As I was driving home from work in the late afternoon on the first 100 degree spring day, I saw, proudly wearing their bright, neon green safety vests and picking up garbage in the ditches, were the Adopt a Highway volunteer crews. When I honked my h

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp dekruifmug DFL budget leaves out reform The 2013 Minnesota Legislature started facing a projected budget shortfall of $635 million and by state mandate must balance the budget. The new DFL controlled government has a "fix" for this shortfall; raising taxes and fees for all Minnesotans by a

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bell of Honor sign of respect for heroes Recently, I had the opportunity to go to the North Mankato Funeral Home for David Sandmeyer's military visitation. It was a very moving experience. Sandmeyer was the young man who was a 21-year-old Marine from Mankato. He was stationed in North Carol

    May 18, 2013

  • MSU falls while coach Hoffner will win again Attention MSU Alumni You and I have just learned of the decision that the Minnesota State University leadership, i.e. Dr. Davenport, Mr. Kevin Buisman (and probably others) have made concerning Todd Hoffner, the former MSU Football Coach. This firing

    May 17, 2013

  • Minnesota deserves lawmakers with a clue Our senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken were part of a group to vote for and pass Obamacare. You know the overwhelming law that the Democratic leadership (Reid and Pelosi) said you'll have to pass it to find out what's in it. Exactly what they did

    May 17, 2013

  • Laws of life essays were inspiring essays inspired What a pleasure it was to read the Laws of Life essays in the May 5 edition. It is this kind of reporting that makes The Free Press our hometown newspaper. And congratulations to Shane Price and Fahad Qureshi. Your writings were a good read. Bruce Bi

    May 16, 2013