We Need to Get It Stopped

Carthage City Attorney, David Mouton, said "We need to get it (Renewable Environmental Solutions LLC) stopped. It's getting out of hand again. I'm concerned no one is paying attention to the nuisance. They tell us what they are going to do about it, but that's little comfort after two years of stink."

Mark Rader, the air and land section chief with the Missouri Depaertment of Natural Resources (MDNR) in Springfield, said his office received 11 odor complaints Tuesday (10/25) and two Wednesday (10/26). Rader said that MDNR officials believe emission stacks that have been increased in height are working. But, he added, the state had identified as a potential problem a biofilter used in the odor control system.

Scary, but not stinky. That's the expressed wish of city officials, who are saying it would be a "treat" if Renewable Environmental Solutions shut down Monday for Halloween. Carthage City Mayor Kenneth Johnson agreed when Carthage Police Chief Dennis Veach suggested the request be relayed to the company as a way to reduce the possibility of smells wafting through the neighborhoods while children are trick-or-treating.

The Joplin Globe, Thursday, October 27, 2005, http://www.joplinglobe.com/story.php?story_id=210258&PHPSESSID=248c61f398384ddc361e3c252aec014a

It's the Worst I've Ever Smelled

Deja Vu, All over again is how the Carthage Press, Tuesday, October 18, 2005, described the stuation in Carthage over the weekend. http://www.carthagepress.com/articles/2005/10/18/news/news5.txt
Local businessman Corky Dow said "At 8 am this morning there was a smell enough to knock you out. It's the worst I've ever smelled". Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) field personnel have responded to the scene of the odor, Renewable Environmental Solutions LLC (RES) on Thursday, Saturday, Monday and today (Tuesday). But guess what, the odors have not been enough to warrant a citation. They haven't registered on MDNR's scentometer.

Carthage Mayor Kenneth Johnson was quoted in the Press as saying that "They (RES) were not supposed to run (the plant) that day." He was referring to Saturday, October 15, Maple Leaf Saturday. There were 40,000+ guests and visitors in Carthage that day to attend the Maple Leaf Parade, the Car Show and the High School Band competition. Mr Dow said that "Carthage is no longer Precious Moments. Carthage is no longer the Courthouse. Carthage is the stink." That is not the image that the citizens and community want to project. This is not the reason 100's of people work all year preparing for the annual Maple Leaf Festival. This is not what the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau work all year to promote.

I say it is time to throw them out. RES is not welcome here. I'm sick and tired of them spoiling it for those of us that live and work here, those of us that call Carthage home.