I am urging citizens to attend both the Jasper Utility Service Board Meeting on Monday June 20th

Dear Jasper city leaders:

I am urging citizens to attend both the Jasper Utility Service Board Meeting on Monday June 20th 7:00 PM and the Common Council Meeting on June 22nd at 7:00 PM.

Concerned Citizens for a healthy Dubois County were greatly encouraged by Mr. Rick Stradtner’s public urging at the Utility Service Board May 16th meeting to slow down negotiations with Jay Catasein (Twisted Oak LLC). However, reports from Monday and Tuesday earlier last week indicate that the whole process has not slowed down but rather has sped up.

It is my understanding (please correct me if I am wrong) that on Tuesday morning, June 7th, Mayor Bill Schmitt on WITZ radio stated that he would like to have a decision about the Jasper Clean Energy Center made in July. This leaves very little meaningful time for citizens to do their own due diligence on any pending agreement. The process has not slowed down, but it appears that it is being rushed ahead with limited transparency.

Concerned citizens have not yet heard from city leaders about the clean air ordinance draft that was presented to them at the last two monthly Common Council meetings. Citizens have also not heard anything from city leaders regarding a growing number of physicians and health care providers opposed to dealings with Jay Catasein and the proposed biomass conversion of the power plant.

We have also not heard to date how much money that the city of Jasper has spent on feasibility studies, outside consultations, negotiation expenses, and contracted attorney fees related to the power plant conversion to biomass. We would like to know to date how much money the city of Jasper has spent related to the biomass/Jasper power plant issue. Please reply back with an answer.

Please click here to view the clean air ordinance that citizens have made available to Jasper city leaders.

http://healthyduboiscounty.org/recommended-jasper-indiana-clean-air-ordinance/

We are awaiting a response from city leadership on these important matters (clean air ordinance, local physicians and health care professionals, an independent environmental, financial and health assessment/impact study). We feel that these are nonnegotiable points of concern that merit public response and conversation.

We feel that it is reasonable and fair for citizens to have as much time to review and understand any pending agreement as it took for the city to develop a pending agreement with Jay Catasein. We also insist on knowing who will constitute the Jasper Clean Energy Center as board members, proprietors and investors prior to any vote on a pending agreement.

Awaiting your response,

Rev. Dr. Christopher Breedlove