As some of you may have heard or read, residents of Buffalo, N.D., lost their Supreme Court case regarding a proposed hog farm. They have been (essentially) spit in the face by the health department, ag department, and the entire state of North Dakota's government, as the decision has been made to allow an out-of-state company (Pipestone) to operate in their beautiful community.
My heart is broken for them, as they are faced with the terrible effects to their health, environment and economy. They won't even be able to sell and move away from it because we all know that property value is all but gone in the vicinity of hog operations. They need our prayers.
The community of Devils Lake is next on the butcher block. This community, known for its beautiful lake, fishing and the tourism it brings to North Dakota, is in danger of health, environmental, and economic tragedy at the hands of an out of state hog operation (Pipestone), that does not care about the well-being of this community, just like they didn't care about Buffalo. Please, I am asking all of you to rise up, be heard, attend any public meeting you can. Tell your friends, family, whoever you can, that we must continue to be educated, and have our voices heard. This can and will ruin our community if nobody speaks up. Your efforts will not go unnoticed. Please don't think someone else is fixing this, it's up to you, it's up to me, it's up to all of us. Silence is affirmation. Don't be silent!
Havelange lives in Hunter, N.D.
