State AG suing Peach Bottom over CAFO laws

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office is taking Peach Bottom Township to court over the way the municipality regulates large farming operations.

[FARM ON]

Malone is a waste of money.. He is so old and set in his antique ways he couldnt even understand the new laws anyway. He is the one who sold off his land in 15 acre chunks while enacting laws to restrict anyone else from selling off their land in 3 acre chunks.. he and Bilger should go off into the sunset together...
LONG LIVE FARMING !!!!!

[Farley Ness]

The first of many positve moves that will proceed the ultimate approval of the proposed swine operation that is safe for the community contrat to the false information propogated by CCPB. Next on the agenda support and evidence to provide the citizens of the area accurate information about swine opeartions, buses and false healthcare claims to be presented by concerned citizens and expert.

[Protecting family farms]

I believe the citizens of Peach Bottom Township are correct in their efforts to prevent the CAFO from coming into their township. I also believe there is a connection between healthcare claims of people and swine farms. It is a shame that the AG has decided to use taxpayers hard earned dollars to fight the citizens of a township that is trying to protect the rights of its citizens for clean air, water and protection from decreased property values. I give the township supervisors a great hero's applause for trying to protect its citizens. This is what the Supervisors of townships are elected for. When CAFO's move in, family farms are destroyed. LET US KEEP OUR FAMILY FARMS and the HE$$ WITH BIG AGRICULTURE.

[Slacker]

Glad to see the state stepping in.

[protectingPeachB ottom]

I found the timing of the litigation filing date very interesting. The suit was filed right before the Big Corporate Ag Farm Show and Attorney General Corbett is running for governor. I bet the campaign contributions are pouring in from Agribusiness!
I hear there is a golfing campaign event for Corbett at $1500 a ticket. How many family farmers do you think can afford a ticket?

[Farley Ness]

Protecting family farms wrote:

I believe the citizens of Peach Bottom Township are correct in their efforts to prevent the CAFO from coming into their township. I also believe there is a connection between healthcare claims of people and swine farms. It is a shame that the AG has decided to use taxpayers hard earned dollars to fight the citizens of a township that is trying to protect the rights of its citizens for clean air, water and protection from decreased property values. I give the township supervisors a great hero's applause for trying to protect its citizens. This is what the Supervisors of townships are elected for. When CAFO's move in, family farms are destroyed. LET US KEEP OUR FAMILY FARMS and the HE$$ WITH BIG AGRICULTURE.

WOW, have you ever fallen off the deep end since your last post a coupl;e weeks ago about this issue. You state "I beleive there is a connection between heal;thcare claims pf people and swine farms". Where does that come from and what evidence do you have to support that. Can't wait to share this one with the group of truly concerned citizens and our expert debunking the CCPB groups prior claims.
The supervisors are elected to represent the people of a township following the laws of the commonwealth. They cannot make laws on thier own, onnly the stae house and senate can do that along with the governor. They must follow the codes set up by the commonwealth. If the supervisore would have followed the codes there would be no court fight and hence no costs, but because the supervisors chose not to do as they swore under oath to do they will now cost the people of the community much needed tax dollars. And if we find a link between such conduct and individual supervisors we will file suit against the individual supervisor for reimbursement of any court costs. You see the supervisor is only protected when he follows the law, if he steps outside the law/codes and acts 'independant' he may be held personally responsible for such costs. look it up in the stae municipal code.
I also am not aware that the Gemmillls three generation family farm is going to be destroyed by their proposed swine operation ut rather enhance the value and support to the family itself. I think you ought to learn what a family farm is and isn't before mouthing off.

[Farley Ness]

protectingPeachBottom wrote:

I found the timing of the litigation filing date very interesting. The suit was filed right before the Big Corporate Ag Farm Show and Attorney General Corbett is running for governor. I bet the campaign contributions are pouring in from Agribusiness!
I hear there is a golfing campaign event for Corbett at $1500 a ticket. How many family farmers do you think can afford a ticket?

How about sticking to one name when making crazy allegations honey. Up to your same old tricks of posting under different names with thesame server and IP address to make it look like your CCPB group has alot of support. Can't wait to see your face when the truly concerned citizens present their rebuttal to you and your 'experts' falsehoods and lies you have spread through out the area. it will be priceless. And now that the AG is involved the political support will quickly trun from the wackos to the common sense citizens with evidence that refutes that so called 'moutnian' of lies you all purported in the last months. It's amazing what has been found and how it was 'distorted'.

[protectingPeachB ottom]

Farley Ness wrote:

<quoted text>
WOW, have you ever fallen off the deep end since your last post a coupl;e weeks ago about this issue. You state "I beleive there is a connection between heal;thcare claims pf people and swine farms". Where does that come from and what evidence do you have to support that. Can't wait to share this one with the group of truly concerned citizens and our expert debunking the CCPB groups prior claims.
The supervisors are elected to represent the people of a township following the laws of the commonwealth. They cannot make laws on thier own, onnly the stae house and senate can do that along with the governor. They must follow the codes set up by the commonwealth. If the supervisore would have followed the codes there would be no court fight and hence no costs, but because the supervisors chose not to do as they swore under oath to do they will now cost the people of the community much needed tax dollars. And if we find a link between such conduct and individual supervisors we will file suit against the individual supervisor for reimbursement of any court costs. You see the supervisor is only protected when he follows the law, if he steps outside the law/codes and acts 'independant' he may be held personally responsible for such costs. look it up in the stae municipal code.
I also am not aware that the Gemmillls three generation family farm is going to be destroyed by their proposed swine operation ut rather enhance the value and support to the family itself. I think you ought to learn what a family farm is and isn't before mouthing off.

You say " And if we find a link between such conduct and individual supervisors we will file suit against the individual supervisor for reimbursement of any court costs."
Who is we and how are you involved? Seems you have alot of inside information.

[Protecting family farms]

Farley Ness wrote:

<quoted text>
WOW, have you ever fallen off the deep end since your last post a coupl;e weeks ago about this issue. You state "I beleive there is a connection between heal;thcare claims pf people and swine farms". Where does that come from and what evidence do you have to support that. Can't wait to share this one with the group of truly concerned citizens and our expert debunking the CCPB groups prior claims.
The supervisors are elected to represent the people of a township following the laws of the commonwealth. They cannot make laws on thier own, onnly the stae house and senate can do that along with the governor. They must follow the codes set up by the commonwealth. If the supervisore would have followed the codes there would be no court fight and hence no costs, but because the supervisors chose not to do as they swore under oath to do they will now cost the people of the community much needed tax dollars. And if we find a link between such conduct and individual supervisors we will file suit against the individual supervisor for reimbursement of any court costs. You see the supervisor is only protected when he follows the law, if he steps outside the law/codes and acts 'independant' he may be held personally responsible for such costs. look it up in the stae municipal code.
I also am not aware that the Gemmillls three generation family farm is going to be destroyed by their proposed swine operation ut rather enhance the value and support to the family itself. I think you ought to learn what a family farm is and isn't before mouthing off.

The Gemmills three generation family farm is turning into a corporate farm. Corporations will then run the farm NOT the Gemmills. I know what a family farm is and it IS NOT A BUNCH OF PIGS STUFFED IN A BARN. Just because the state of PA considers these family farms does not mean that the people of the state see it that way. A family farm is operated by the family and work hard for their money, they DO NOT
sit back on their lazy butts and push buttons to feed their animals. They are hard workers and work the land while trying to preserve the land for their future families.

[Farley Ness]

protectingPeachB ottom wrote:

<quoted text>
You say " And if we find a link between such conduct and individual supervisors we will file suit against the individual supervisor for reimbursement of any court costs."
Who is we and how are you involved? Seems you have alot of inside information.

It seems some people know the games that have been played in the rownship with some of the supervisors and the CCPB group/panyon et al. And if found to be true and costs the taxpayers dollars it is legitimate to recoup those taxpayer funds through litigation. If there is nothing going on noone has any need to be concerened now do they?
My invovlement is well known as a native York countian who is concerend the way misinformation and scare tactics have been used in this rural farm community where generations of families have farmed and are only continuing to do so within their rights. And to have individuals whether elected or not illegitmatly stand in the way of what is legal based on ifs and maybes is out of line, no matter what community. And it has gone unchallenged too long.
PS.Still haven't answered the healthcare claims and swine farm connection. Would love to hear the lie about that one.

[protectingPeachB ottom]

Farley Ness wrote:

<quoted text>
WOW, have you ever fallen off the deep end since your last post a coupl;e weeks ago about this issue. You state "I beleive there is a connection between heal;thcare claims pf people and swine farms". Where does that come from and what evidence do you have to support that. Can't wait to share this one with the group of truly concerned citizens and our expert debunking the CCPB groups prior claims.
The supervisors are elected to represent the people of a township following the laws of the commonwealth. They cannot make laws on thier own, onnly the stae house and senate can do that along with the governor. They must follow the codes set up by the commonwealth. If the supervisore would have followed the codes there would be no court fight and hence no costs, but because the supervisors chose not to do as they swore under oath to do they will now cost the people of the community much needed tax dollars. And if we find a link between such conduct and individual supervisors we will file suit against the individual supervisor for reimbursement of any court costs. You see the supervisor is only protected when he follows the law, if he steps outside the law/codes and acts 'independant' he may be held personally responsible for such costs. look it up in the stae municipal code.
I also am not aware that the Gemmillls three generation family farm is going to be destroyed by their proposed swine operation ut rather enhance the value and support to the family itself. I think you ought to learn what a family farm is and isn't before mouthing off.

Do you think you can scare the supervisors with your false threats? The supervisors have the entire community supporting their decision to protect our ordinances and PBCCG is working to intervene in support of the supervisors decision to protect our family farmers.

[Protecting family farms]

It appears that Farley thinks just because the state of PA says its OK, then it is OK. The Supervisors of Peach Bottom Township have stood behind the citizens who are saying it IS NOT OK and I think it is great that the citizens will now stand behind their supervisors and support them in their decision to protect their ordinances. No matter what Farley says or the state, I think the community knows how wrong a CAFO would be. It is great that a community is willing to stand side by side with their elected officials and let the elected officials know that they appreciate their efforts to protect their community. That is a rare thing in this day and age. Most of the time the communities are against what their elected officials are doing. GREAT JOB citizens of Peach Bottom Township!

[Farley Ness]

protectingPeachB ottom wrote:

<quoted text>
Do you think you can scare the supervisors with your false threats? The supervisors have the entire community supporting their decision to protect our ordinances and PBCCG is working to intervene in support of the supervisors decision to protect our family farmers.

There is no scare it is just the law and facts.

[Farley Ness]

Protecting family farms wrote:

It appears that Farley thinks just because the state of PA says its OK, then it is OK. The Supervisors of Peach Bottom Township have stood behind the citizens who are saying it IS NOT OK and I think it is great that the citizens will now stand behind their supervisors and support them in their decision to protect their ordinances. No matter what Farley says or the state, I think the community knows how wrong a CAFO would be. It is great that a community is willing to stand side by side with their elected officials and let the elected officials know that they appreciate their efforts to protect their community. That is a rare thing in this day and age. Most of the time the communities are against what their elected officials are doing. GREAT JOB citizens of Peach Bottom Township!

It's fine for the elected officials to follow the law but when they don't that is not protecting anyone but rather doing something illegal.
I beleive you are seriously misguided in who supports your cause. In the coming days and weeks I think you will be amazed at how little your scare tactics and false alrams about health problem have accomplished, especially when refuted by experts and truly concerned citizens armed with the facts and definitive answers, not the if's and maybes.
PS Still haven't addressed thelie you spread about healthcare claims and swine farms. Are you afraid to explain or is it just that it is another lie by CCPB and maria ?

[protectingPeachB ottom]

Farley,
You said in an earlier post

" And if we find a link between such conduct and individual supervisors we will file suit against the individual supervisor for reimbursement of any court costs."
Who is we and how are you involved? Seems you have alot of inside information.
And also, who is funding your study?
And one more thing, don't you find it disgraceful that 13 million dollars a year is in the budget for Act 38 litigation? I think sludge haulers and corporate ag can afford their own representation.

[Protecting family farms]

Farley Ness wrote:

<quoted text>
It's fine for the elected officials to follow the law but when they don't that is not protecting anyone but rather doing something illegal.
I beleive you are seriously misguided in who supports your cause. In the coming days and weeks I think you will be amazed at how little your scare tactics and false alrams about health problem have accomplished, especially when refuted by experts and truly concerned citizens armed with the facts and definitive answers, not the if's and maybes.
PS Still haven't addressed thelie you spread about healthcare claims and swine farms. Are you afraid to explain or is it just that it is another lie by CCPB and maria ?

The Peach Bottom Township supervisors ARE protecting the citizens and a COURT will decide what is legal and illegal and not just some AG who thinks HE can get himself elected to Gov. by backing big agriculture and trying to push around second class townships for his own cause. I am sure big agriculture is donating to his cause. The laws of this country are NOT just for agriculture. Just because some governing bodies make laws does not mean that the citizens of that state stand behind them. Who is to say the governing bodies that made the laws are correct? And who were they making laws for? Big Agriculture???? In this case the governing bodies were dead wrong. The citizens of Peach Bottom and standing up for their rights.

It is amazing to me that you think that CAFO's are not harmful to peoples health. Please let the "truly concerned citizens" (you keep mentioning) armed with the fact let us know what exactly those facts are. I have seen nothing in your post that would convince me otherwise. I do know what I have read on the internet and have studied in the libraries. I do believe DR's and scientist. They are educated people and have studied the facts for years. Do you really believe that people living close to CAFO's don't have more health problems that people living other places. If this is what you believe, you need to do some research on your own to find out the facts. Who are these experts that will rebute the facts. You are trying to blow smoke. You have no more facts then what the citizens of Peach Bottom Township have. If you can prove the experts that have presented evidence wrong, lets see the proof.

[Farley Ness]

protectingPeachB ottom wrote:

Farley,
You said in an earlier post
" And if we find a link between such conduct and individual supervisors we will file suit against the individual supervisor for reimbursement of any court costs."
Who is we and how are you involved? Seems you have alot of inside information.
And also, who is funding your study?
And one more thing, don't you find it disgraceful that 13 million dollars a year is in the budget for Act 38 litigation? I think sludge haulers and corporate ag can afford their own representation.

I beleive I have stated my conern and the concern of other evryday York countians who have had enough of the misinformation and scare tactics used by CCPB and maria on the rural farm community where famiyl farms should be allowed to expandf and grow with the change in the farming business and landscape. It's a concept that is hard for someoen as ignorant as you to understand that farms belong in rural farm communities such as the one you live in at the expense of destroyed farmland and woodland to build your house in recent years.
The funding is out of the pockets of truly concerned citizens with nothing more than the reral truth at heart along with the understanding of law and respect for that which has been established. Not some half baked ifs and maybes.
PS If you are unable to validate your healthcare costs and swine farm relationship, why don't you just call it quits with any more 'false' evidence as our people have enough already to disprove the ifs and maybes and expert you have offered.

[Farley Ness]

Protecting family farms wrote:

<quoted text>
The Peach Bottom Township supervisors ARE protecting the citizens and a COURT will decide what is legal and illegal and not just some AG who thinks HE can get himself elected to Gov. by backing big agriculture and trying to push around second class townships for his own cause. I am sure big agriculture is donating to his cause. The laws of this country are NOT just for agriculture. Just because some governing bodies make laws does not mean that the citizens of that state stand behind them. Who is to say the governing bodies that made the laws are correct? And who were they making laws for? Big Agriculture???? In this case the governing bodies were dead wrong. The citizens of Peach Bottom and standing up for their rights.
It is amazing to me that you think that CAFO's are not harmful to peoples health. Please let the "truly concerned citizens" (you keep mentioning) armed with the fact let us know what exactly those facts are. I have seen nothing in your post that would convince me otherwise. I do know what I have read on the internet and have studied in the libraries. I do believe DR's and scientist. They are educated people and have studied the facts for years. Do you really believe that people living close to CAFO's don't have more health problems that people living other places. If this is what you believe, you need to do some research on your own to find out the facts. Who are these experts that will rebute the facts. You are trying to blow smoke. You have no more facts then what the citizens of Peach Bottom Township have. If you can prove the experts that have presented evidence wrong, lets see the proof.

Maria, laws are just that laws along with codes and the Ag is protecting those codes. If you would like them changed how about going to rep saylor or sen. waugh,I might add good luck, to have the law changed. just because YOU don't like the codes doesn't mean they are invalid or wrong. Tghe last time I checked the CCPB wasn't the pa legislature or governor.
I would hate to offer the prelimanaries of a comprhensive analysis of all the lies and mistruths you spread along with the motives of you and your expert that have ben noted on the record, both locally and nationally. So you will hear when everyone else does. the element of surprise and suspense is so much fun, now isn't it maria?

[like it rural]

PBCCG talks as if they have widespread support, but it is a couple dozen hard core loud mouths that spread lies and fear to get support. Most of the community does not support them. Most people who have grown up in this rural area do not support them. No family farmers who farm land in the township actually support them....It is a shame they are going to cost this township a lot of money. It is a shame they have caused hardship for farm families. It is a shame their lies are making people afraid for no good reason. Why not move away and spread your misery elsewhere? Let the farmers do their job.

[protectingPeachB ottom]

like it rural wrote:

PBCCG talks as if they have widespread support, but it is a couple dozen hard core loud mouths that spread lies and fear to get support. Most of the community does not support them. Most people who have grown up in this rural area do not support them. No family farmers who farm land in the township actually support them....It is a shame they are going to cost this township a lot of money. It is a shame they have caused hardship for farm families. It is a shame their lies are making people afraid for no good reason. Why not move away and spread your misery elsewhere? Let the farmers do their job.

It is very sad how a few agribusiness farmers will try to give misinformation about this issue. Firstly Act 38 or the Acre Act had NO input from family farmers. I encourage everyone reading to do a google search on the Pa coalition of family farmers and acre or act 38. They saw this as a misuse of tax dollars and as detrimental to our independent farmers.
Second, the people of this community are NOT costing our township money. Please do your homework and you will see the 2 complaints to the Attorney General's office were both contract growers for agribusiness. One, I believe contracts with Land O'Lakes, the other I'm told is for Smithfield.
Make no mistake, our family farmers do not want these operations . They do not consider them as "normal farming." Furthermore, they blame these operations for destroying our farmers.