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California Black History At Risk?
In 1908, a former slave and retired Army chaplain named Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth realized his life’s dream: a town started and run entirely by African Americans.
Long ago shuttered, the original Allensworth now is a state historic park, cherished by families and church groups who see it as a hardscrabble monument to California’s black history.
But they fear that despite the state’s protection, the settlement named after the charismatic military man is in peril. A 12,000-cow dairy operation is proposed for property just across the tracks, angering park supporters who say foul odors and flies will plague the remote spot and dishonor a noble experiment in self-determination.
Long ago shuttered, the original Allensworth now is a state historic park, cherished by families and church groups who see it as a hardscrabble monument to California’s black history.
But they fear that despite the state’s protection, the settlement named after the charismatic military man is in peril. A 12,000-cow dairy operation is proposed for property just across the tracks, angering park supporters who say foul odors and flies will plague the remote spot and dishonor a noble experiment in self-determination.
“If it weren’t a black historic site, it wouldn’t have to endure these kinds of attacks,” said Victor Carter, a 55-year-old African American accountant from Bakersfield who noted that previous proposals had been fended off—for a turkey farm and a dump for restaurant grease.
The owner of the 2,000 acres in the vast rolling plain of the San Joaquin Valley, Sam Etchegaray, is a Basque farmer who immigrated to the United States from France in 1963. He and his sons have said in local hearings that, far from dishonoring the legacy of Allensworth, the dairy operation would create 60 jobs and give a $20-million boost to the local economy, ushering impoverished minorities into the middle class.
More
http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2006/12/california_blac.php
The owner of the 2,000 acres in the vast rolling plain of the San Joaquin Valley, Sam Etchegaray, is a Basque farmer who immigrated to the United States from France in 1963. He and his sons have said in local hearings that, far from dishonoring the legacy of Allensworth, the dairy operation would create 60 jobs and give a $20-million boost to the local economy, ushering impoverished minorities into the middle class.
More
http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2006/12/california_blac.php
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Allensworth, founded in 1908 by former slave and retired Army chaplain Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth, was a town started and run entirely by African-Americans. Long closed, the original Allensworth, which drew 300 families, is now a state historic park.
But supporters fear the park is in peril, The Los Angles Times said Wednesday, because of a 12,000-cow dairy operation proposed for adjacent property. Park supporters said the farm would generate more traffic, odors and flies.
More
http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/51583
After listening to 20 minutes of public comment and then meeting in closed session, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to give dairy applicant Sam Etchegaray a green light.
In a show of solidarity, nearly 100 critics of the proposal — many from the Bay Area and Los Angeles regions — stood while the supervisors voted.
Etchegaray has spent eight years pursing his application, and Tuesday's vote was just the first of several approvals needed. Other agencies also must weigh in and supervisors still must formally approve the project in March.
More
http://www.fresnobee.com/270/story/19754.html
It is unfortunate that the fecal matter from two industrial milk factories is how the story gets told however, it is Christmas and flying reindeer, talking snowmen and enslaved elves steal the story from the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Nothing new under the sun on a Winter solsitce watch.