To The Editor:
I am one of the people that complained of the foul odors that spew from the Washington Beef plant at the Toppenish City Council meeting on April 26, 2010.
I live west of the slaughterhouse and also like a good steak. I would also like to stay on my patio long enough to BBQ one, before being driven inside by the stench from this plant and having people ask, “How do you stand it?”
Free steaks do not improve the quality of life for those of us who have to breathe the dirty air that expels from W.B. I say dirty air, because clean air does not stink. One cannot champion this process if you do not live in the area of contamination.
W.B. has been cited many times for polluting our local waterways. The E.P.A. did not fine them for putting “clean” water in Wanity Slough. Hopefully, the heavy hand and the $750,000 fine got their attention.
W.B. should not be permitted to expand their operation on Cemetery Road. This could only lead to more air and water pollution in our area, not to mention this is the only access to Elmwood Cemetery.

Jim Thomas
Toppenish