This article by Michael Kane appeared in The Daily News, July 10th, 2018.
In a 2-1 vote Monday night, the Todd Township Supervisors approved an ordinance for community bill of rights, as a sign of opposition towards a proposed swine concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO).
Supervisors Dennis Runk and William Hall voted in favor of the ordinance, while supervisor Matt Barnett, a farmer in the township, cast the lone “no” vote during the monthly meeting.
The ordinance is part of an effort started by the Todd Township Community Action Group to speak out against CAFOs in the community.
The community bill of rights was written under the advisement of independent legal counsel for the community to adequately speak out against the large farming operations.
During council’s June meeting, the supervisors, also in a 2-1 vote, agreed to post a final advertisement of the ordinance and community bill of rights.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, community action group representative Stephanie Perez cited Article 1, Section 27 of the state Constitution.
“The people have a right to clean air, pure water and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustees of these resources, the commonwealth shall preserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people,” said Perez. “We are the people and we want maintained what is rightfully ours.” MORE…