Comments from the Jasper City Council Meeting
“I don’t think you can ’cause you’re not on the Board.” Mayor Schmitt to an unidentified member of the audience who objected to the approval of the previous Counsel meeting’s minutes. The Council then approved the minutes.
“Point of order. You think we can’t, Mayor, you think Joe can’t.” Unidentified man after approval of the minutes.
“We even called a minister from his church that he attended in Houston and talked to him. Every response was positive about Jay Catasein.() …I personally think the recent attacks that have been made, uh, have been distasteful and unprofessional. I think it is without warrant.” Utilities G.M. Bud Hauersperger apologizing to Jay Catasein.
Will the Jasper Clean Energy Center compete with local industry for emissions? Dr. Steve Hopf addressing the Council on his opposition to the Plant talking about how the Jasper Clean Energy Center will cause emissions to increase and may limit industry projects that increase emissions.
“I would like to voice my gratitude to various members of the city administration for the exemplary management of the recent flood situation. Especially Mayor Schmitt, Mr. Hauersperger and Mr. Raymie Eckerle. …We as a city were prepared with leaders that put a plan into action that protected the residents and businesses. . .” Dr. Norma Kreilein at the beginning of her address to the Council.
“Mr. Mayor I cannot serve on the Arts Commission. I respectfully resign because its been, its been very obvious our input has been minimized, its been rebutted, its been, no matter what we have said, and I cannot in good conscious anymore serve as your appointee on the Art Commission.() …I am tired of having to vet myself and cite myself; and it doesn’t matter what I vet or cite or how many colleagues come forward. Respected colleagues and members of this community, that I would ask you, first of all on emissions. Does the plant have emissions or doesn’t it? And do the physician’s opinions in this community, that have vetted themselves for 21 years, do they matter? Do they matter? Or have we already voted on this?” Dr. Norma Kreilein resigning from her appointment on the Arts Commission.
“Mr. Mayer that was a shot at my daughter and my claws came out when I heard that.” Rev. Chris Breedlove, addressing a statement by the Mayor from a previous meeting in which the Mayor suggested his daughter just needs medication for her asthma.
“The western corn root worm is probably on its way out. The corn root worm is on a decline right now. “ Kenny Eck, Purdue Extension Office, addressing how widespread the root worm is and its potential for damaging corn crops in Indiana.
“The farmers were more willing to think about things like that, where they had ground that wasn’t producing the best corn crop but if it had enough income from another source they might consider using it for that. . .I don’t see farmers coming through and putting a thousand acres a shot at it or a hundred acres or two hundred acres.” Kenny Eck on how farmers feel about growing miscanthus as a crop for the power plant.
“People who are concerned that if this plant is being shut down, uh, what about other things in the county that might also put particulates in the air?()…Will this group also shut down wood burning stoves because they also put out particulate matter? …Again these are things (questions) that come through my office.” Kenny Eck on some concerns from farmers and citizens.
