By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
For a public hearing to have any validity, a company representative should be present to answer questions, citizen William Lorenz told Dowagiac City Council Monday night.
Lorenz expressed his frustration with trying to learn more about Deerpath Recycling's proposed tire-shredding operation, such as the volume of tires processed daily, how many trucks it will take to transport them, the effect on traffic off M-51 by Pamida, whether the process releases pollution, how steel is separated from tires and its general anticipated impact on Dowagiac.
Lyons and other city officials assured Lorenz that they had done &#8221due diligence“; in assuring themselves about the operation, including touring similar facilities.
City Manager Bill Nelson noted that Deerpath representatives attended the public hearing when its site plan was reviewed by the city Planning Commission.
Lyons said the city cannot compel a company to attend the public hearing, which Lorenz disputed. &#8221You can force them to be here by tabling this,“; he said.
Nelson said the company must receive a state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permit, Metals are separated out for salvage. Recycling is a permitted use in the industrial park.
Lyons said he did not feel comfortable answering technical questions for the company, which Lorenz dubbed a &#8221shortcoming of the IFT process.“; Lorenz indicated he didn't necessarily have any problem with Deerpath, just the hearing process.
Third Ward Councilman Dr. Charles Burling said Lorenz's comment is valid.
Second Ward Councilman Bob B. Schuur agreed that someone being present is a &#8221point well taken.“;
First Ward Councilman Darron Murray said it would be good for companies to be present to &#8221take some punches.“; He also thanked Brad Evans for appearing to give a vote of confidence to council members' leadership and wishing them good luck in the election so they could continue in 2006.
Murray isn't up for re-election, but &#8221it's nice to hear that once in a while.“; Murray said his &#8221biggest issue“; in evaluating Deerpath was if tires were burned.
Third Ward Councilman Leon Laylin said the council did not rubber stamp the application. &#8221Protecting our public is part of our responsibility.“;
Monday night's public hearing was on the Industrial Facilities Tax (IFT) application for a six-year, 50-percent abatement on personal property for Deerpath's addition of $730,174 of machinery and equipment. Deerpath will create 20 jobs.
The council also set another public hearing at its Oct. 24 meeting for an IFT for Lydia Demski's real property and improvements made to the building at 55625 Woodhouse Drive worth $312,145.
A separate application and hearing are required because the building and equipment have different ownership.
To date, Deerpath has made $1.23 million of investment in the new operation.
A similar hearing concerned an IFT for Ameriwood Industries, which is investing $72,000 in personal property and agrees to retain not less than 235 jobs in Dowagiac.
Ameriwood's IFT application covers machinery and equipment, including a forklift, a boring machine, radio equipment and a bander/stretch wrapper.
Today at 5 p.m. is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election.