Some recent letters to the editor criticizing those who oppose the Penn-Mar Ethanol distillery have attacked the character and patriotism of their neighbors.

This is an unfortunate result of the LIDA board and our local industrial development representatives inviting a company to Franklin County that has divided local residents into those who are "from around here — patriotic and neighborly" because they support this company, and those who are not because they choose to live here, choose to speak up in support of the wonderful quality of life that exists here, choose to support a clean and safe environment, and choose to oppose Penn-Mar's proposed distillery.

Penn-Mar Ethanol farmer/ owners are not "from around here," and have not been neighborly in the way they "ran in quiet mode" until they completed their arrangements for their proposed distillery. Questioning someone's patriotism as a means to degrade the value of his or her opinions or beliefs is simply a poor way to challenge a position you do not agree with (or maybe do not understand). A few Penn-Mar supporters steal our T-shirts, spit tobacco juice on our vehicles, and continually steal our yard signs (over 30 NO Ethanol Plant in Franklin County signs from people's property). I would refer to them as rude, but not as unpatriotic.

Only Native Americans are truly "from around here," and have the option to recommend to those who are not that they consider moving back to wherever they or their ancestors came from.

Hopefully, Penn-Mar Eth-anol's proposed distillery will not continue to divide our community, but will help us realize what a prize we have in Franklin County, and how important it is to preserve our quality of life while we encourage thoughtful, appropriate development.

DeEtta Antoun

Chambersburg

Director

Citizens for a Quality Environment

Originally published June 28, 2005