The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Carthage, Jasper County

Discussion

March 9, 2009

Jo Ellis: Cities need clean air

CARTHAGE, Mo. — When people experience an affront, an indignity or a crime, it’s expected that they will stand up for their personal and civil rights. When a group of people — say a community or an entire city — suffers those same assaults, it’s perfectly acceptable (and expected) that the group has every reason and right to redress the situation.

With Renewable Environmental Solutions laying off all but a skeleton crew, and with Changing World Technologies, its parent company, announcing that it will go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy for reorganization, there is hope that a long-standing affront to Carthage residents is on its way to being rectified. It’s time that situation was made right.

Residents have complained for the past five years that RES was the source of a gut-wrenching stink that would spread over various parts of the city, depending on wind direction. In areas close to the plant, there was hardly any relief, according to those who live there.

The company, which turns animal byproducts into fuel and fertilizer, argued that other sources were responsible. I haven’t talked to anyone who remembers that nauseating smell before the plant opened in 2004.

City and state officials, as well as private residents, have attempted through negotiation, testing devices, lawsuits and new ordinances to make the company fulfill its promise that there would be no offending odor.

Despite conciliatory attempts from each side, there seems to be no middle ground.

Mayor Jim Woestman dismisses the idea that local efforts had much effect on the company’s bankruptcy filing. CWT claims net losses in the millions, due in part to “escalating expenses” incurred in the attempt to commercialize its patented waste-conversion procedure.

Still, I don’t think this would be happening if residents and officials had just sat back with clothespins on their noses.

At this point, no one knows if the emissions from RES have any adverse health effects. Doctors tell us that being unable to comfortably breathe deeply in itself damages the lungs. Someone once said, “A livable city needs breathable air.” That’s a personal and a civil right worth fighting for.

Sheldon fund-raiser

Another affront to personal and civil rights was the vicious and violent killing of a rural Carthage couple in their home last October. This atrocity against Robert and Ellen Sheldon has caused city residents to be fearful and cautious for their own safety. To date, no arrests have been made or charges filed.

In an effort to find some sort of remediation, the Sheldons’ four children are asking the community to join them in a celebration of their parents’ lives, and to contribute to a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible party. All money not awarded will go to establish a scholarship fund in the Sheldon family name.

A barbecue dinner and homemade pies will kick off the event at 5 p.m. Thursday at Fairview Christian Church, which the Sheldons attended. At 7 p.m., goods donated to the cause will be auctioned, and bonus drawings will be held.

People who would like to donate items or contribute money to the reward fund may contact Danny Hensley, 359-5750; Mike Cloud, 358-2501; Linda Kinney, 358-4490; or Dale Wickstrom, 358-1521.

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Carthage, Jasper County
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