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Rockton Sends Letter of Opposition to Proposed Asphalt Plant
By Marianne Mueller, REPORTER
Protestors holding signs in opposition to a proposed asphalt plant stood outside of the Rockton Village Hall on Tuesday evening, Dec. 6. Simple signs read, “No Asphalt Plant,” and another listed various chemicals associated with these plants. Residents are familiar with asphalt plant proposals. In July hundreds of area residents came out in strong opposition to a proposed asphalt plant. In that proposal petitioner Robert Schlichting requested the annexation of 42 acres to the Village of Rockton to be zoned as industrial use on the property of the Rockton Rock Quarry and was asking to be granted a special use permit. By early July, Schlichting withdrew his request.
During the Rockton Zoning Board of Appeals meeting and Rockton Board of Trustee meetings, residents’ voices were heard clearly as they expressed strong opposition to that proposal. Northern Illinois Service Co., President Wayne Klinger, has applied for a map amendment to rezone 32.58 acres from Ag.-Agricultural to IG-General Industrial. The property owner is Michael and Ann Black. Two parcels of property are located between 11184 and 11298 N. Main Street in Rockton Township right next door to the Rockton Rock Quarry. If granted a special use permit, it would allow a batch plant, asphalt concrete crushing and storage facility, in the General Industrial District. Residents packed the Village Hall with a standing room only crowd to address the Village Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening.
“I live right next door to where the plant is planning to be built,” said Barb Gustin. “This plant would cause too many problems for me and other people. Headaches, fatigue, coughing and throat irritation could be caused. This will affect everyone who already has health issues as well as my husband. I am also concerned about my well water. They are already digging deeper. Particles will be dumped from trucks. I don’t want to drink the water if this was to go in, and I don’t want to sell my house or move.” “Do not bring this plant to our community,” stated resident Ava Emroll. “It will affect our children, our health, and our environments. Farmers are already living there. I would like the company who has this to live where this lady lives. Just look at the town of Flint, Michigan where the city was poisoned by lead in the water because somebody made a decision. It is our schools, our park and our community.” “My husband and I are strongly opposed. Rockton is a bedroom community. We moved here because we were attracted to a clean community, and if the plant is put in it may harm that,” said Letha Stewart. “Rockton is lovely and pristine. We have no significant arts, little shopping; Rockton is not all financial strength. What will the emissions and pollutants do to elderly and children?” Daniel Hazzard addressed the Village Board. “Thank you for your time, effort and energy; I know that not all of you are of the same opinion,” said Hazzard. “I own 72 acres right across the street from the proposed plant. I spoke with Wayne Klinger today. I found out we have something in common. There are not too many people who will say a bad thing about Mr. Klinger. The challenge of the future is what it holds for the condos and surrounding properties. My property is listed as R1-R2, which does not bode well for me or my family or that incredible park you put in. I encourage you to keep on the line of these types of projects and I encourage you to send in the resolution.”
“I am a newcomer to the area. I have a beautiful 1800’s home,” said Chris Wickenger. “We left the suburbs because this is such a beautiful community. As a safety engine there will be unintended consequences of the plant.” “There is a perception about the smell, but even a little bit of the smell is horrible. I would like to see the people giving the proposal live in our community; not just of today but the people who are establishing their lives and the farmers here.” Barb Nozzi held up a sign listing chemicals. “The ground, water, and air quality will be affected, and our property values will go down. How close do they live to the plant and what is different with this proposal than the last one?”
“I would like to thank everybody who has emailed me. I really enjoyed hearing about why everyone moved here,” said Trustee Jodi May. “When I moved here I got involved in everything and fell in love with Rockton. I worked on the PTO.” “We are not the enemy up here,” said May. “It is my job as a Trustee to listen to all aspects with an open mind based on your input and what is good for the residents. Residential properties cost the Village money when we provide services for resident’s needs.
“In every town, every city across America, property tax is only 20 percent of our general fund. Public safety, smooth roads, clean water all costs money. The Village has held public forums that talk about the 2020 plan and how we want to grow. Whether an asphalt plant or not, some kind of growth needs to happen.” “Residents have opposed the high school referendum, Walmart, and the railroad. How do we have income to pay for all of these things? We keep watching businesses come in and leave. When you leave here we should be thinking about how you want Rockton to grow, how you can say ‘yes’ to Rockton,” added May.
The Village Trustees voted unanimously to pass a resolution objecting to the proposed Winnebago County Zoning Map Amendment to allow for an asphalt plant.
