EGF council talks Fufeng and chickens

The recent debate over the Fufeng project in Grand Forks spilled over into last night’s East Grand Forks council meeting.

Mayor Steve Gander says he’s been asked by many about his thoughts on the failed project and he admits there were strong pros and cons both for and against. Gander says after all the information was gather he believes the decision to scrap the China-based corn milling plant was the right call due to national security concerns.

The mayor says Grand Forks leaders did their due diligence along the way.  “No one should fee that their voice was not heard in the process.  They listened to every voice.  No one should feel disenfranchised following the decision.  You were part of that decision.”

Despite calls from vocal opponents on Monday for several council members to resign over the issue Gander says they have his support.  “In my experience I have never had an occasion to question their motives or their fitness for the work that they’re doing.  It’s time for us all to pull together and work on the challenges and opportunities that we will face and move on from this.”

Gander says despite some disagreements on issues like a new bridge the two cities have a history of working well together.

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The idea of allowing backyard chickens in East Grand Forks resurfaced at last night’s council meeting.
Supporters say the idea of allowing egg laying hens has benefits from cost to protein to the fact they help reduce pest populations.
Several council members expressed concerns over disease and smell – and if other farm animals would eventually be part of the equation. Others asked if there was any way to gauge public opinion on allowing chicken in city limits.  The council voted unanimously to table the issue to allow for further info gathering and discussion.