Darlington County Council hears arguments against turkey farm

Darlington County Council will discuss further plans for a proposed turkey farm near Pocket and Penn roads in Darlington County.

The council heard opposition from several county residents Tuesday night during its monthly meeting.

Dr. Avie Rainwater spoke on behalf of nearly 20 people who arrived to voice their opposition to the turkey farm locating in Darlington County.

“We are not opposed to farming but we are opposed to becoming a farming factory county,” Rainwater said.

Rainwater said the farm would be more like a factory and cited studies that stated the farm would pollute the area.

Other citizens voiced their concerns that the farm would severely decrease property values.

“One individual is trying to impose his will on others,” Rainwater said of the owner of the proposed farm. “This person is a bully, and we are standing up to a bully.”

Rainwater asked the council to pass a moratorium that would prevent any such farms from locating in the county before a comprehensive zoning plan was created. He asked council to pass the moratorium immediately at Tuesday’s meeting.

The county attorney advised that such legislation might not be legal and should be investigated first. The council will investigate the matter and did pass a motion to vote on the moratorium at the next scheduled meeting.

In other news, council passed a resolution recognizing Progress Energy’s 100th anniversary.

Emerson Gower was present to accept the resolution on the company’s behalf.

“One hundred more,” Councilmember Wilhelmina Johnson said to Gower, “One hundred more years is all we ask of you.”

The council also held a public hearing and third reading of Ordinance No. 08-20 to amend the Darlington County Code of Ordinances to provide for the establishment of an illicit discharge detection and elimination program. Also, council held first reading of Ordinance No. 08-21 for supplemental appropriation for funds to purchase land for the Darlington County I-20/ Highway 340 Industrial Complex.

The nominations of new members to the county jetport commission was tabled until the next meeting. The commission resigned at last month’s meeting.

Council will meet Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex/ EMS Building, 1625 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington.