One year later

A year ago, many Snow Creek Road residents weren’t as knowledgeable about glycerin and methanol as they are today.

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County spends close to $10K in defense

Iredell County has spent an estimated $9,855.60 to defend itself against the lawsuit brought on by the Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life.

That is equivalent to the county property taxes for 22 homes valued at $100,000 each.

Biodiesel plant foes hope for injunction

Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life are seeking an injunction to stop construction of the proposed biodiesel plant off of Snow Creek Road until its appeal is finalized.

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Opponents poll voters

In order to keep the controversial biodiesel plant rezoning fresh in people’s minds, opponents commissioned a phone survey, which found nearly a 2-to-1 majority opposed the Snow Creek Road project.

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Biodiesel plant opponents appeal ruling

Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life are appealing Iredell County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Taylor’s decision to allow McLain Farms to operate a limited biodiesel plant on Snow Creek Road.

For the full story, click here.

Letter to the Editor: Sam G. Hall

A group of 23 people claims to represent the best interests of all. They call themselves Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life.

Let’s make one thing clear: This group does not represent the farmers of Iredell County, nor do they speak for all of the families on the Snow Creek Road.

To read the full letter, click here.

Letter to the Editor: Randy Bridges

Regarding the proposed biodiesel plant, it is interesting that in Sunday's paper the editorial called for Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life to give up our fight. Phil McLain states that his family will "be good neighbors once we get it up and going." How about being good neighbors now and moving the plant to an industrial park, where such a facility belongs?

Judge Kimberly Taylor's ruling means anyone in Iredell County with a few acres can build a 500,000-gallon biodiesel plant, with no approval needed from the planning department, the planning board or the county commission. There are probably hundreds of nice housing developments in Iredell County bounded by now-suitable tracts for a biodiesel plant, including many upscale neighborhoods. Do the families that live there want a biodiesel plant or some other industrial operation next door?

Wake up, fellow citizens of Iredell. Our fight is your fight.

Randy Bridges
member of Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life

Editorial: Biodiesel opponents should accept ruling

After being dealt a major setback in their effort to derail a proposed biodiesel plan on Snow Creek Road, Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life and the individual plaintiffs have two choices.

To read the full editorial, click here.

Letter to the Editor: Fred Coggins

County commissioners put this area of Iredell County in a ridiculous situation with this biodiesel plant mess. If the commissioners had done what the overwhelming number of people in this area wanted, we wouldn’t have this situation.

Every meeting the commissioners had, the majority of people said no to the zoning. It is another example of:

• A waste of time and tax money for lawyers to defend their position;
• Commissioners working against the people that put them in office;
• Commissioners not looking closely at what would happen if they get their way; and
• Commissioners who could have spent time on more important matters.

It is time for change and to put people in there who will work for the voters of Iredell County. I don’t see how anybody could put back in office the present set of commissioners.

I am against letting them put a biodiesel plant on this farm. Give me a break. Wake up people.

Fred Coggins
Mooresville

Hearing underway

4:52 p.m.: Judge Taylor asked attorneys to take and rebind their submitted papers. She said she will then go over everything and render her decision. The process, Taylor said, will probably take a couple of weeks.

4:31 p.m.: County attorney Bill Pope said the Iredell Neighbors don't have legal standing to sue because they can't prove the Snow Creek Road plant would harm them. The plaintiffs' attorney, Anthony Fox, responded that the group could as an unincorporated nonprofit. The residents have standing, he said, because they live nearby.

4:05 p.m.: Taylor is listening to arguments from attorneys on whether biodiesel production is a bona fide farm use.

3:02 p.m.: Phil and Mike McLain are now present.

2:35 p.m.: The hearing has been pushed to 3 p.m.

2:20 p.m.: County manager Joel Mashburn arrived. The hearing hasn't officially started yet.

2:02 p.m.: Ten of the Iredell Neighbors are in the courtroom. Judge Kim Taylor is presiding.

Hearing today to settle Snow Creek Road debate

The hearing for the lawsuit filed by the Iredell Neighbors for Rural Life against Iredell County and the McLain Family has been set for 2 p.m. this afternoon.

This morning, four of the 24 plaintiffs named in the case were present when the judge set the time. County officials and the McLain family were not present in the courtroom.

Check back this afternoon for more from the hearing, brought to you by R&L reporter Bethany Fuller.

Editorial: Their day in court

Opponents of a biodiesel plant will get the first of what they hope are many days in court Monday.

County officials hope it will be the one and only appearance and that a judge will toss out their lawsuit.

For the full editorial, click here.

Lawsuit on docket for Monday

The outcome of a lawsuit challenging the legality of a Snow Creek Road biodiesel plant could be decided in court Monday.

For the full story, click here.