Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com
Published - Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Our view: Hog ruling was fair
Much as we hate the phrase "win-win," it's an accurate description of the Winona County Board's ruling on the conditional-use permit for the Sauer family's hog operation.
The amended permit allows the Sauers to move ahead with the modernization of their hog finishing operation, while addressing their neighbors' concerns about hog-scented air and manure-tainted water.
On the downside, the neighbors will have to put up with the hogs, and there will be considerably greater work and expense for the hog farmers.
But ultimately, it sets two positive precedents for both agriculture and environmental protection in Winona County. First, it further establishes that farmers have a right to farm — that in areas zoned for agriculture, the demands of commercial production agriculture take precedence over the lifestyle choices of rural residents. However, it also further established the requirement that farmers take the most effective measures practically available to protect the land, air and water from potential harm resulting from their chosen farming practices.
It is a good decision, and we have Commissioner Dwayne Voegeli to thank for it.
At the outset of the meeting, Voegeli seconded the motion to bring the proposal to the floor, though he announced his intent — at the time — to vote against it, keeping it from dying without discussion. When he learned that if the permit was denied by the board, it would result in at least a year's delay before a revised proposal could be brought back to the board, Voegeli led a discussion of possible alternatives and amendments that offered better protection for air, land and water and bargained for their inclusion in an amended permit in an effort to avoid the negative financial impact on the Sauers such a lenghthy delay would entail.
Then, satisfied that the facts available, supported granting the amended conditional-use permit at that time, he did a truly rare, remarkable and politically courageous (or foolhardy) thing — he announced he had changed his mind and changed his announced vote — joining with Commissioners Marcia Ward and Dave Stoltman in the 3-2 majority.
In so doing, a contentious issue was resolved, positive precedents were set and — particularly in light of the divisive, polarized atmosphere that pervades our civic life — local, state and national — the board demonstrated again that negotiation, compromise and reasoned, fact-based decision-making lead to good outcomes that are reasonably fair to all involved.
In his life away from the county board, Voegeli is a teacher, but Tuesday morning he taught a civics lesson that those who serve at all levels of government would do well to attend to.
Well done, Dwayne.
By Jerome Christenson on behalf of the Winona Daily News editorial board, which also includes publisher Rusty Cunningham, editor Darrell Ehrlick, photo editor James A. Bowey and sales and marketing manager Robin Baertsch. To comment, call 453-3522 or send e-mail to letters@winonadailynews.com.
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