Residents discuss new meat processing plant after White Sulphur Springs Council meeting

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – After the White Sulphur Springs Council meeting on Monday, May 13, WVDN was available to meet with attendees interested in voicing their thoughts on the recently announced meat processing plant. Only two people, besides the Mountain Steer Meat Company owners, wished to be recorded; M.J. Oreff and Jessie Whited.

Resident Pat King spoke to Council members regarding his concerns about the processing plant, stating, “There are 17 homeowners in White Gate Village at the moment, and all that I’ve spoken to, among other citizens [of White Sulphur], are against the [idea of putting a] slaughterhouse mere feet away from our homes. One neighbor had a contract rescinded on the sale of her home due to this proposed [building.] There are two churches, nursing homes and several businesses just feet away from the [proposed building]. I am a huge supporter of Mountain Steer and so is my mother, but we are not in support of this. The smells, sounds…”

M.J. Oreff also voiced her concerns, saying, “Confusion number one. Everybody felt like it was swept under the rug and hidden from the public so that you know there probably would have been a lot more turnout, and also it has been raised that it wasn’t even properly brought in front of the zoning committee because it was not something that was part of their jurisdiction as a subject of business. You know that slaughterhouse did not meet the required special conditions statute, but I’m not sure about that, but mainly we were just really concerned with the effect it would have on the town. [There are homes] directly behind it so all in all it’s not the best thing that I think White Sulphur can do. I said at the meeting I respect them as business owners, but maybe it wasn’t a good idea.”

Jessie Whited said, “I think the meeting last week was a prime example of what misinformation can do. And the havoc that it can cause when these gentlemen made every effort to make sure that their plans were known and to give the correct information to the community so that everyone was well informed.”

Stick with WVDN for updates on this pressing issue as they become available. Residents can reach out to the owners of Mountain Steet Meat with questions or concerns.

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