Rick Redding was an original founder of this website.
For the past few weeks, JBS Swift has gone out of its way to demonize the character of Butchertown residents, the Butchertown Neighborhood Association and the legal counsel representing the BNA. It’s no secret that I am opposed to the current Swift location (no, I don’t want to squash jobs), but there’s no excuse for this ridiculous behavior.
Swift employees, Swift’s plant manager and Swift’s attorney have breached the level of insane behavior. The attorney and plant manager appeared outside a neighborhood association board member’s home in an attempt at intimidation. They’ve sent workers to stand outside the office of the BNA’s legal counsel where they passed out literature – containing his name, photograph and telephone number – claiming he was trying to eliminate Swift’s 1,400 jobs.
If Swift hadn’t gone out of its way to avoid compliance, those jobs wouldn’t even be an issue. Workers wouldn’t have a reason to feel upset if Swift’s management hadn’t attempted the buck the system while at the same time making the lives of hundreds of Butchertown residents a living nightmare.
Take a look at the flyer attacking Jon Salomon:
CLICK FOR PDF
If that isn’t bad enough, get a load of the other document being floated about by Chris Sanders, who has a history of using things like religion to taint elections:
CLICK FOR FLYER
The fact that workers are organizing would be fine and dandy. That is, uh, if defamatory and ridiculous information wasn’t being used to attack an entire neighborhood.
Here’s an excerpt:
The Butchertown Neighborhood Association thinks we don’t belong among them and their “historic,” gentrified former butchers’ homes. (The problem isn’t with everyone who lives in the neighborhood. It’s a couple dozen people with their own economic agenda that are putting all of Louisville at risk.) But why don’t these few people want us? Are we too different? Maybe they don’t like the way we talk, or our skin is the wrong color. But we’re the butchers in Butchertown, and they moved to our neighborhood, where we’ve been for over one hundred years. More of us work at JBS in Butchertown than all the people who reside here. It’s our neighborhood.
Really? Suggesting racial discrimination as a basis for an entire neighborhood being upset with Swift’s ridiculous behavior and disregard for the environment? Really? That’s what Chris Sanders wants to promote?
This battle has jack to do with jobs and location and everything to do with the way Swift has ignored the law and its surroundings. There’s no need to rehash it, but it’s flipping ridiculous for these people to suggest anything other than what’s reality.
If you’re ticked, it’s time to show up and make your voice heard:
- Board of Zoning Meeting
- 8:30 A.M. Monday, November 16
- Old Jail Building @ 514 W. Liberty St
Don’t let this mess perpetuate.
Just in case you need a refresher:
- Zoning Disaster in Butchertown [May 19, 2009]
- Saying No to Swift [July 2, 2009]
- Tandy Calls For a Swift Move in Butchertown [July 6, 2009]
- BOZA Not Ready for Swift Case [July 6, 2009]
- Something Else Smells in Butchertown [August 5, 2009]
- A Not-So-Swift Response from Metro [August 11, 2009]
- Stink, Stank, Stunk [September 1, 2009]
32 responses so far ↓
1 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Nov 13, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I think that Swift is only expediting its own departure from “their neighborhood” with these tactics.
Also interesting is when they put “historic” in quotes like I just did. This of course indicates a hatred of neighborhood heritage, and in my estimation, if Swift hates Butchertown’s heritage so much, that is yet another reason to kick them out.
2 Richard S // Nov 13, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Sorry, I have to come down on the side of Swift on this one. If the neighborhood association wants the plant to move, they should come up with an inventive package that’s sweet enough to entice them to do so.
3 jake // Nov 13, 2009 at 1:13 pm
The neighborhood association just wants Swift to play by the rules. That’d be a good starting point.
4 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Nov 13, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I wonder if anyone supporting Swift would like to put their full name out there.
5 Richard S // Nov 13, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Richard Slawsky. That’s my full name. My email is rslawsky [A-T] yahoo [dot] com.
EDITED: Nixed the hyperlinked email address so Richard isn’t hit with spam galore.
6 Lepus // Nov 13, 2009 at 1:45 pm
So are these flyers an “All Swift” venture or is the “UFCW227″ joint venture? Just by looking at the flyer, the tone seems much more union.
7 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Nov 13, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Richard, thank you for being a public citizen, even if we disagree on this matter.
8 jake // Nov 13, 2009 at 3:14 pm
It’s a shame more people don’t follow Richard’s lead. Instead, they hide behind anonymity because they don’t have the cuts to stand up for what they believe in.
9 KYGuy // Nov 13, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Jake – Just curious. A few weeks ago when you temporarily required registration so only people with guts could post, did you do any tracking on how many people stopped visiting the site?
It sure looked barren to me the times I dropped by during that period.
We know what McGruber’s preference is because it’s his favorite issue. But, personally, I come here for the anonymous comments. They are the spark and the energy behind all comment threads and provide most of the spice, humor and inside dope.
I think it’s foolish to call some of your biggest fans, supporters and content contributors cowards.
10 jake // Nov 13, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I’m pretty sure it was obvious that I was speaking to people who baselessly attack while anonymous. Anonymity is a different thing entirely when someone is acting as a whistleblower or merely participating in a cordial discussion.
About 99% of visitors don’t comment. Comments dropped drastically while everything was locked down but traffic didn’t.
Additionally, there have been four people in the past month who have left comments indicating that they would never read the site again. All four of them are still reading on a multiple-times-per-day basis.
11 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Nov 13, 2009 at 6:07 pm
KyGuy: Of course you will keep defending cowardly behavior, as you are a coward. It’s not my favorite issue — that’s further nonsense. Everyone who reads my writings knows that my favorite issue, as it were, is the bridges matter. Why can’t you and others stand up behind your words? What’s wrong with doing something so g-d easy?
12 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Nov 13, 2009 at 6:08 pm
By the way, intentionally misspelling others’ names is a *real* class act. That explains in volumes why you are in hiding.
13 Carter Burger // Nov 14, 2009 at 10:00 am
“All four of them are still reading on a multiple-times-per-day basis.” Happens every time.
14 KYGuy // Nov 14, 2009 at 11:03 am
Everyone look at big, brave McGruber. Stop calling people names and maybe I’ll respect yours.
15 Damien // Nov 15, 2009 at 1:02 am
Ridiculous. Swift was there first. They are a large employer paying well into the tax pool. The loudest complainers are relatively new homeowners who have purchased homes in the area at lowish prices and want to chase the pig smell out of a neighborhood called Butchertown so they can further gentrify and watch their property value increase. As I’ve stated before, I lived on Story Ave for a few years and didn’t care about the pig smell (and I don’t eat swine, and haven’t for nearly 15 years) because I realized that Swift predated me and employed a ton of people. My own selfish olfactory reasons seemed inconsequential next to that.
Those pamphlets looked like great PR to me, and are a damn sight more professional and ‘neighborly’ than the loud minority from this site and the Neighborhood Association.
Guys, I agree w/ you on a good deal that’s written this site, but we just cannot agree on this one. The underlying focus on the Swift hate is personal greed.
16 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Nov 15, 2009 at 5:48 pm
KyGuy: Please explain why it’s ok to trash-talk behind anonymity, and how that’s not cowardly. Go.
17 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Nov 15, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Damien, it isn’t just about the smell, it’s about the regular violation of rules. Can Swift keep up this behavior without being punished, or asked to move? Isn’t sometimes enough is enough?
18 KYGuy // Nov 15, 2009 at 6:02 pm
McGruber – It’s not ok to trash talk anyone, in my opinion. But you coming on here calling anonymous posters cowards is mean, stupid and tiresome.
19 jake // Nov 15, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Actually, Steve’s point couldn’t ring more true.
He stands behind what he has to say with his name.
It seems it’s only the folks from Swift who are afraid to use their own names. The folks who continually spin out of control and ignore the facts, as Steve has pointed out.
20 Gina G. // Nov 15, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I understand both sides of the argument, but I do think that a meat processing plant in ANY downtown area does not make sense. It also really comes down to Swift not being a good neighbor and utilizing sleight-of-hand methods to expand. Expansion doesn’t always mean building new buildings.
Also, I do not believe in the argument saying the neighborhood, being named Butchertown, should continue butchering. Smoketown is a rather dubious name for a neighborhood and I really do no think that is a settling end to the neighborhood or the residents.
21 Mark H (Not Hebert) // Nov 15, 2009 at 11:02 pm
For what its worth, in my opinion the ability to comment anonymously promulgates frank discussion and comments from individuals who may not comment otherwise.
That said, it is a privilege that shouldn’t be abused. If you choose to post anonymously, you should be respectful, refrain from childishly mocking their last name, or misrepresenting who your are. Using that anonymity to be rude or fire cheap pot-shots at someone is cowardly.
While Steve and most of the posters on this board and I rarely agree on most topics, I respect their opinions. I’ll admit that this board is guilty pleasure of mine and a diversion from my stressful work day and I appreciate the opportunity to comment. If I can contribute to the topic in some way, all the better.
22 Damien // Nov 16, 2009 at 1:12 am
Steve, they’re violating rules, fine the living shit out of them. Asking/forcing them to leave is a stretch, and stinks of attempted gentrification at the expense of very real jobs.
Jake made a reference about “folks from Swift” but didn’t point out any names, pseudo- or otherwise. In case he was attempting to reference me, I have no horse in this race at all. Or pig, for that matter. I’m a freelance writer and music producer. My name is in blue, but my last name is left out, because, well, it’s unimportant in this discussion entirely. You could offer me 150k/yr to work in Swift and I wouldn’t take it. Swine is a filthy animal and I won’t touch it, living or dead.
I join in this discussion only because of my history of having lived on Story Ave for a time and the idea that my neighbors at that time (artists, bartenders, students, punks, even a couple rednecks) all agreed with me that “Swift was there first and is good for the economy and well being of others” and is underrepresented in the debate on this site. Just a bit ‘o’ balance…
Continue to document their rule-breaking and influence city hall to fine them until they cease breaking rules. Don’t chase em out of town. They won’t just move to the county. They’ll be gone, and the revenue and well being of the city and a thousand families will be too.
23 jake // Nov 16, 2009 at 7:58 am
“Damien” – I was referencing people actually from Swift. Folks who comment from home and those who – low and behold – comment from work.
A lot of their comments don’t make it to publication because they’re too vile.
24 KYGuy // Nov 16, 2009 at 8:22 am
Mark – I will stand down on “mocking” Steve’s last name. I did so out of disgust over his dragging that fuschia herring of his through nearly every comment thread with anonymous posters. I’m equally disgusted with his chest pounding approach toward what he calls cowards. If that isn’t childish and taking pot shots, then what is it?
Again, I will refrain. I doubt, however, if Steve will. His history on this site has made it clear that his pet issue is one he intends to use to pollute nearly every thread that has anonymous comments with which he might disagree.
And Jake – I agree that those who continually spin and get facts wrong should be taken to task. I’m sure your web stats can give you plenty of info about who is misrepresenting themselves. All I ask is that you be careful swinging that broad brush. I don’t have a dog in this Swift fight and, frankly, it’s not an issue on which I feel qualified to comment. I only rang in on this when I saw the tiresome crapola from Steve Magruder.
If being anonymous here automatically makes one irrelevant then why not require registration? It’s your website, Jake, and I know you’ll run it as you see fit. I’m just a reader and contributor. But, just for the record, from this point forward, anytime I see someone attacked for being anonymous I will see someone losing an argument just as sure as if they’ve trotted out the “Hitler” comparison. It’s a lame, weak attack of last resort.
I apologize if this has diverted the thread and it will be my final comments on this issue. Unlike Steve, who has sworn in past posts to club this mare over and over and over again until we all bow to his opinion about anonymous comments.
25 jake // Nov 16, 2009 at 8:29 am
I don’t require registration because I trust that most people can be adult and handle grown-up discussion. Unfortunately, some cannot. But I won’t let that ruin for the vast majority of people who act responsibly.
No one says anonymity kills credibility. Just when someone lobs ignorant personal attacks.
26 Richard S // Nov 16, 2009 at 8:58 am
And for the record, I don’t have any connection to Swift or the Butchertown neighborhood. I’ve just seen this scenario played out several times in Louisville and elsewhere. It usually involved homeless shelters, though.
27 jake // Nov 16, 2009 at 9:05 am
I can also confirm that there’s no evidence “Richard S” is affiliated with Swift.
28 Mark H (Not Hebert) // Nov 16, 2009 at 9:53 am
The problem with the whole situation is that both sides seem seemly.
What makes this so interesting is that it exposes one of the problems we face as a country. This situation exposes the desperation many people in the country are starting to realize. The realization that we as a nation face a future economy with a drastically shrinking job market for unskilled labor.
Swift has seized upon that fear to rally the Union in its defense against the neighborhood opponents. They knowingly didn’t apply for the permit because they knew it would be opposed and they knew if they just went ahead and did it, the penalty would be minimal.
Likewise, I am getting tired of people wanting to make others incur financial loses and hardship over their personal desires. If they want Swift to move, take up a collection from the neighborhood and pay for Swift’s move.
I’m not sure if the positions both sides are taking, stink more than than the plant does.
29 jake // Nov 16, 2009 at 10:11 am
Mark H: You’re spinning again.
The Butchertown-Swift fight isn’t just about relocation – it’s about JBS Swift refusing to following the law and ignoring zoning.
30 Mark H (Not Hebert) // Nov 16, 2009 at 10:16 am
I said the broke the law. Who is spinning?
The law is ridiculously weak. If the law allows them to revoke their longtime operating permit, then it’s a stupid tax on Swift.
The law needs to be toughened and maybe business won’t signor them.
31 EdenSprings // Nov 16, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Zoning? Do we actually have zoning laws in this town that are enforced? Like, you need a valid permit before building a soccer club or something? Get OUT! I had no idea!
(PS: I use a pseudo because I’m really a secret agent for the CIA)
32 Bill // Nov 19, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Let them move out of town, either retrain the workers to do something else or better yet let them put the plant in Shelby County, Bullitt Co, or over in Indiana somewhere. It could be done just as well over in some remote place without all the fussing and bitching.
Even better is the fact that you could let the workers move to where the plant is going to be located. That way you can get rid of the problem. If the people of Louisville don’t want it, then send it somewhere that does or put it somewhere there won’t be much if any opposition on a big estate or farm.
Give them an incentive to move it and their workers or offer retraining and that way everyone gets something for it and Butchertown can be a gentrified art community. In fact, when I can find me a job, I’ll be looking at leaving Louisville and moving elsewhere that still wants basic industry instead of coffee houses, retail, and nail salons.
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