We don?t want an industrial park built in our back yard

To the Editor:

We wish to educate those residents who live in or near the proposed annexation of land in Smartt Station along Highway 55 which is close to Warren County High School, Hickory Creek Elementary and literally in the backdoor of approximately 80 homeowners.

We first learned of the proposed action of the city of McMinnville on Dec. 24, 2006 through an article on the front page of the Southern Standard. The only description given was 560 acres ?toward Morrison and north of Karate Lane.?

Upon learning the threat of annexation was real, our next question was ?Why?? After a few visits and phone calls to city officials and aldermen, the plot began to thicken. Evidently, the city of McMinnville, mayor and aldermen have decided if they annex this property then it will be available to the city of McMinnville for purchase for a future industrial park. Mind you that all this was decided without the input of the major landholders in this area. Up front, we wish to inform you that our properties are not for sale to the city of McMinnville, county or otherwise. They are in private use as family farm businesses.

In reading this letter, you may be wondering how this affects you. If you have children to go to Warren County High School or Hickory Creek Elementary, it affects you. If you live along or across Highway 55 or in the Riverview subdivision, this affects you. If this annexation goes through not only will it be easier for the city of McMinnville to annex your adjoining property, (that?s right, city and county taxes!) but you may have an industrial park in your backyard.

We have been informed that the landowner who joins the highway is pushing the measure, which, if it goes through will have a severe detrimental effect on your property values and your quality of peaceful living. Just ask the people who lived near WastAway.

Another inherent danger is the threat of an industrial catastrophe or contamination of the area as the land is so close to homes and schools with little means to evacuate given the close proximity, not to mention the effects on other farmers such as Moore?s Lane Dairy which is just across the river. Also, let?s don?t forget where the drinking water for the city of McMinnville comes from, the Barren Fork River, which runs along the farms. Do you want your children to drink water filtered through industry runoff and waste?

The city of McMinnville and aldermen would like you to believe these things wouldn?t happen to you but in the words of one of the city officials, ?I tried to tell them it would hurt the subdivision.?

As other officials have stated, there is plenty of additional property available in the current industrial park which is better suited for industry and would save the taxpayers money. Not to mention the empty factories all over town, of which A.O. Smith will soon join the ranks.

Here?s where you can help. Through correspondence we have been notifying the 80 plus households in the direct vicinity. We encourage you to talk with each other and inform any who aren?t aware of the imminent threat of annexation and what it means to your individual households. Call and write the mayor and aldermen and let them know you don?t want an industrial park in your back door and make sure you attend the upcoming hearing which will be posted in the Southern Standard within the next two to six weeks.

John H. ?Jack? Cantrell, Jr.

Webber Cantrell

Kaye Clement

Ellen Cantrell Cogley

Elaine Simmons Palmer

Dewey Smith

Van Terry