HORSE MANURE STILL A PROBLEM IN LOYAL
Wednesday, October 12th, 2005 -- 2:39 PM
The City of Loyal will again consider options to address complaints that the Amish aren?t cleaning up after their horses. You may remember the horse apples debate caused quite a stir back in 2002. At that time, the city reached a gentleman?s agreement that the Amish were to use a specific route while traveling through the city. Loyal Mayor Randy Anderson says they've actually done a pretty good job of sticking to that route?"For the most part they have been very good about staying on those routes," Anderson said. "As a new family moves in, we may have someone straying off, but by-and-large, they've been real good about that commitment."
But some residents and churches along the routes complain about the horse manure that?s piling up on the streets. Anderson says different options will be discussed during a Police Committee meeting Thursday night.
Anderson says the committee may discuss a number of options, including requiring the Amish to fit their horses with manure-catching devices ? sometimes referred to as horse ?diapers?, but Anderson is quick to note nothing is on the table at this time.
Back in 2002, some business owners asked the city council not be too strict, fearing the Amish would take their business to other communities. Anderson says this still a concern.
"We really want to work with the Amish community and keep them coming to Loyal. But we also have to address the concerns of the people that live in Loyal," Anderson says.
The Police Committee meeting will be held Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at Loyal?s City Hall.
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