We are worried about our safety and health

Ed Broderick, Clinton
Letter to the Editor

January 31, 2007 09:50 am

— In response to the Clinton Herald’s opinion on Thursday:
We are not trying to stop the expansion of Archer Daniels Midland. We are trying to stop the city from selling off our main road into South Clinton and caging us in like animals. South Fourth Street is our only road that is not blocked by railroad tracks!
You think it is odd that we worry about turnarounds. ADM wants to take our main roadway and fence off the ends of our blocks. ADM only wants to give us gravel turnarounds. The Clinton Herald thinks it is odd that we worry about our safety.
You say ADM is building a buffer zone. But you understand residents may not find that sufficient. That’s odd. Would you come down to South Clinton and point these buffer zones out? We can’t seem to find any.
You say two things that have been around for years before the expansion is dust and noise. My house has never been this dusty in 30 years. ADM has two piles of dirt 30 feet high and climbing. They scraped this dirt from the homes they crushed. These dirt piles are within 150 feet of our homes. When the wind blows this contaminated dirt blows into our homes and property. Where is the buffer?
You say we should not have expectations for pin-dropping silence. What neighborhood do you live in? We have never had pin-dropping silence in South Clinton. The noise and vibrations are vibrating things from our walls. Our pets run and hide from this.
You also think we should form a citizen advisory group so we can communicate with ADM. ADM doesn’t communicate, they dictate. Just ask the City Council and mayor. We have been trying to get answers from ADM for years. Jim Woll doesn’t give answers. Example: Dec. 27 meeting, Jan. 9 council meeting and Jan. 23 council meeting.
We are worried about our safety and health down here. Why would it be odd that we are worried about our children?