As a citizen of Iredell County, I would like to take a moment to thank my community for the warmth and love I have received over the last 14 years. I consider Statesville my home and a place with people that I admire and respect. Most recently, however, I have been embarrassed by commentary in the editorial section of the R&L.
Often times, as neighbors there are issues that we will not see eye to eye on. One such issue is the development of a biodiesel plant by a leading family in our county, the McLains.
Whether or not you agree with the introduction of this technology in rural Iredell County, hopefully you will agree that the argument should be based on facts rather than a personal attack on the integrity of this family.
The McLains are a warm, loving, generous family with values that have made our country great. They have served this community unselfishly and with the highest moral integrity and honesty. They have given their time and resources not only to our fellow North Carolinians, but also throughout our country, and the world that we share.
To suggest an impropriety regarding the McLains receiving a farm subsidy, please allow me the opportunity to share the facts. An agricultural subsidy is a financial government assistance paid to farmers to supplement their income, manage the supply of agricultural commodities, and influence the cost and supply of such in an international market.
These programs date back to the 1930s and are a common practice that is by no means underhanded or illegal. In a 10-year period from 1995 to 2005, North Carolina received $2.8 billion in federal farm subsidy. Our state ranked 21st out of the 50 states. In this time frame, the McLains were ranked No. 53 of those farms that received a subsidy in our state.
Please reflect on how you would like to be treated when you find yourself involved in an unpopular position and let us strive to keep our community unique by treating our neighbors with love and respect regardless of our opinions.
Bobby P. Kearney
Statesville
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3 comments:
I don't recall any personal attacks on the McLain family.We have been neighbors for a long time and have nothing personal against Mike or Phil. We disagree on the location of the biodiesel plant and that's the extent of it. We have spent many hours researching the facts and those facts and our opinion about the issue above will not change.
"by treating our neighbors with love and respect"
It has been the consistent comment by the opponents of the chemical plant that this is not a personal attack against the McLains. Everyone has been far more than respectful in light of the horrors that are developing around their homes and havens. I don't even live on the street, but I live in this town. Our town...not the town of one or a few men.
Mr. Kearney obviously did not attend the meeting when this terrible decision was made. If he had, he might have heard Phil McLain threaten his neighbors with an animal or livestock operation and "give them something to really complain about".
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