MASON CITY – Legislators Sharon Steckman and Amanda Ragan – who both live in Mason City – held a public forum Saturday morning, April 2, 2016 at the Mason City library and were asked about where they stand on a proposed, massive $240 million pork plant for Mason City that is about 2 weeks from final approval (ground would then be broken this summer on the city’s south side). The plant would receive about $15 million in state incentives and process 10,000 hogs every shift, employing nearly 1,000 once it opens (and up to 2,000 when a second shift is potentially added).
Despite clear leadership from Governor Terry Branstad, who made it very clear is 100% in favor of the development, both Representative Steckman and Senator Ragan refused to offer an opinion on the plant (for or against) and how it might impact the city, county, region and state of Iowa. They were asked about impacts to the environment, water, hog confinements, social issues including impacts on schools and how – if at all – involved in the process of welcoming Prestage Foods, LLC, they were (they did not attend the grand announcement with Governor Branstad at the Park Inn Hotel on March 21).
Both legislators only advised the public to speak to their city council members, despite the clear impact of the plant on neighboring communities and the region they represent.
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10 thoughts on “Legislators Steckman and Ragan refuse to take sides – or lead – on potential pork processing plant (video)”
Yep the usual song and dance answer just like their do nothing attitude when the city council dismantled the human rights office.
If this outfit is ever transfered to a foreign entity -on paper or monetary that land/property would come under United Nation laws according to the new obummer TTP trade agreement and that property would be governed by UN /international laws and not liable to local laws – Do you really think the 3rd world countries care if they stink up or ruin your way of life. Scary HUH ? Look it up non believers.
Ba Ba Ba Bad —- Bad To The BONE !
Little Chicago – The positive = jobs and growth – the negative = your whole community will change to a little chitcago – huge decreases in property values -overburdened public services – not so small property tax increases to pay for this – a downgrade in your way of life – to put it mildly your in for a ride and it’s not a smell free sweet ride. There will be people moving in but there will also be your upper middle class moving out. I vision it as a downhill ride to the likes of 9th street north monroe to 5th st south monroe – an area you would not want to be caught in after dark.
these two very nice women are part of the problem–I would rather they take a stand I disagree with than just do nothing
How can 2000 new jobs be bad for MC? It might stink a bit. That’s a given. 2000 new jobs!! People have been bitching since Christ was a corporal about our leaders not doing anything to recruit businesses to MC. This a plus for MC.
Just two women ding bats that got the voters to vote for them.
Both are summer than a box of rocks,
Having watched these two political hacks operate, North Iowa has NO REPRESENTATION.
Nobody can shuck and jive like Steckman and Ragan.
“We were made aware.” Wow, way to take a stance.
And by the way, when I write “clear impact of the plant on neighboring communities” this is both positive and potential negatives that could come with the development. I have heard that people in Charles City, for example, are planning to seek employment in the plant.
They are right people in Mason City need to stand up and talk for or against this project. I think they were right in not giving their opinions on this. Why get in the middle of this if people sit home and don’t speak up.