Letter: Pig processing plant would drive development away

By Gene Harlow - 03/05/2008

I heard through relatives in Butte that a pig processing plant will be opened in Butte and that the city manager thinks it will only stink during hot weather. I have news for him, the pig farms and processing plants in Colorado were closed due to the stench and contamination of the ground and water. It had nothing to do with hot days; the stench became too much for the residents around the area to withstand and the operation had to be closed down.

Not only did it contaminate the areas, it also stopped any meaningful development of residential or businesses in the vicinity of the pig processors. I suggest the city manager check out the problems that come with the proposed pig processing plant and reconsider.

By the way, my wife is from Butte and we were looking for a retirement home in Butte. Now that a pig processing plant is contemplated, there is no way that we will relocate to Butte. Another location in Montana has to be the choice now. Sometimes people make bad choices without seeing the consequences when development money is involved.

Gene Harlow 6820 W. 68th Place Arvada, Colo.