subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos



The Norman Transcript


Published October 25, 2006 11:23 pm - Transcript Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Somewhere in most modern political campaigns, the candidates accuse...


Chicken poop, money key ingredients in AG race


The Norman Transcript

Transcript Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Somewhere in most modern political campaigns, the candidates accuse each other of slinging mud.

In the race for Oklahoma attorney general, the substance being slung is chicken poop -- lots and lots of chicken poop.

Farm groups, poultry producers, the governor of Arkansas and Republican attorney general candidate, James Dunn, all accuse incumbent Attorney General Drew Edmondson of using chicken poop for political reasons.

The groups site Edmondson's lawsuit against Arkansas poultry companies as proof of their claim, and accuse Edmondson of filing the suit solely for political reasons. Edmondson counters, saying the chicken litter from Arkansas poultry companies is fouling Oklahoma waterways and the producers won't do anything to stop the problem.

Recently Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee -- in town to raise money for Republican candidates -- accused Edmondson of "demonizing" the poultry industry. "Unfortunately, your attorney general is not interested in resolving the situation, he's more interested in headlines," Huckabee said in a published news story. "It's a great political platform for him."

Edmondson's opponent, James Dunn, echoed Huckabee.

Dunn said if he is elected attorney general he would move to immediately dismiss the suit.

"We need to protect our agricultural industry," he said earlier this year. "The attorney general's suit is a threat to that industry."

Edmondson, however, is unfazed.

"The issue is about water," he said. "The issue is simply about making sure Oklahoma has clean water -- nothing more."

Frustrated after several years of failed negotiations, Edmondson said he filed suit against eight poultry firms -- including corporate giant Tyson Foods Inc. -- because the chicken poop used as fertilizer near the Illinois river contains hazardous chemicals, such as phosphorus, which damage the environment and the area's tourism.

"They're not fertilizing, they're dumping," Edmondson said in an interview with the Washington Post. "My concern is for the environment. My concern is for the lake and the river, which I'm watching being degraded before my eyes, literally."

Edmondson also had harsh words for Huckabee.

In a statement released following Huckabee's visit, Edmondson called Huckabee "a poultry company apologist" and said Huckabee "should be ashamed" of the poor job Arkansas has done in regulating the poultry industry.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

Republic Bank & Trust
Detailed-Oriented
Individuals Able to
Work in Fast-Paced
Environment Should Apply.

As a l
...>MORE

Full-time Position in...
non traditional Mental Health Program.
Energy, flexibility, professionalism & experience required. No Phone Inqui
...>MORE

MAKE-READY/GROUNDS
Full-time Temporary Work
Pay based on Exp / Must have valid D.L. • Apply in person at
2900 Chautauqua
or
...>MORE

Seeking Direct Care Staff
Norman Juvenile Detention Facility. Must be 21. Call for Details • EOE
Communityworks • 447-4499
...>MORE

Clinical research coordinator
for cardio practice at SW Med Ctr. Highly developed org skills, detail-oriented, exc comm skills and computer skills. ...>MORE

GET A REAL JOB!
TCIM Services has incredible
opportunities contacting individual and business customers. No cold calls. If you have
...>MORE

Part-time Desktop Technician
Looking for a Technician to provide Level I / II IT support in a
fast-pace environment.

Skill set nee
...>MORE

Broadway Living Center
Has Full Time &
Part Time
Positions Available For
CMA's • CNA
To Join a Great Team
Offering Com
...>MORE

CMA/CNA with MAT
7 - 3 & 3 -11 • F/T & P/T
For Memory care community
Please apply in person 310-2499
Arbor House Reminisc
...>MORE

Noble Healthcare Center
LPNs
Now Hiring LPNs
3p - 11p • 11p - 7a
Excellent Starting Pay
$500 Sign On BONUS after 6 Mos
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes


near Lake TBird on 10.5 fncd Ac ’s. 2100sq’ • 1100sq’ Wrap Around Porch & Patio. 3 or 4Bd/2Bth • 2/Liv Rms. Master BR 16...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Enchantment
Enchantment
25 Yrs Exp • Lawncare
Mowing, Edging,
Weeding • Tree Service
Topping, Pruning, Removal
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index