By Kevin Williams
We've been following this story for some time and it just won't go away. A group of conservative Amish outside of Auburn, Kentucky are being issued citations for traveling into town without "horse poop collection devices." There are Amish communities all over the country and few places seem to have the issue with horse manure that Auburn, Kentucky has. The question is: why?
I want to thank Auburn resident Chase Gregory for these wonderful photos that really seem to illustrate things in the town quite well. Chase says that he, along with most people in town, seem to support the Amish, but the town leadership does not. His comments mirror my own findings.
I keep trying to understand. I live on a quiet residential street and if suddenly horse manure started appearing occasionally (or every day) on my street, I just don't think it'd bother me. I have too many other things in my life that consume my time, energy and angst. I simply can't imagine life being so good that horse poop on a public street gets me all riled up. But maybe I am missing something. Maybe I am in the minority. I don't know.
Amish resident plowing the streets of Auburn, Kentucky
Maybe I'll have to mosey down there and see more for myself. From everything I have been able to discern, the Amish seem to be good neighbors. They go into the hardware stores (or they did before the Amish became too petrified to travel into town) and spend money, heck, they even plowed the streets during a snowstorm this past winter. That's a neighborly spirit you won't find in every Amish settlement. The Amish even appeared to be plowing driveways of residents. Sheesh, I'd take a little horse poop on my road for that!
I did explore this issue in Auburn somewhat for another news organization last summer but it doesn't really appear much has changed. Click here to read my article.
Kathy
I think they need a new Mayor!
Mary O'Neill
What's wrong with a little horse poop? Go scoop it up - it's free fertilizer. These people must have too much time on their hands to worry about this.
Kevin
I agree!
Kevin
B Fall, the Amish there say the devices spook their horses. I tend to believe them, devices aren't required in any other Amish settlement that I know of...so why just in Auburn?
Carolyn
Yip........... some people have too much time on their hands. So many other serious things to be concerned about these days.
Kevin
Agreed, Carolyn!
Lucille
I travel 30 miles to get horse manure twice a year for my garden and flower beds. If I had it in the street I would get a shovel and wheel barrow and scoop it up. We don't have that luxury in Lincoln, Ne. My neighbors would most likely fight over it. Most everyone has a garden or flower beds in the neighborhood I live in.
Kevin
Lucille, I agree with you...I'm not sure what the big deal is....there's litter that is far worse...I'd much rather see horse manure than, say, a cigarette butt
Kathy
I agree with Mary. Free fertilizer!!
Berdy
I love the Amish and respect their ways. However, IMHO, I believe they should clean up after their horses. If you have a dog, you are responsible for their clean up. It may not seem like a big deal, but I have visited many Amish areas and traveled the roads and after a few hours my tires are covered with horse manure. If you are riding a bik or waking that is something you have to watch for. These are not small piles mind you, these are horses. Anyway, as stated above just my humble opinion.
Kevin
I don't necessarily disagree with you, Berdy, it's just that I can't figure out "Why Auburn"...this doesn't seem to be an issue anyplace else, what is it about Auburn Kentucky that is making this such a contentious issue?
blackford
I used to live there and auburn was and was not like this people who thought they was top dawgs around there bitched all the time about little stuff the officers and mayor told them were to stick it im sure that this new entitled generation running things everywhere else has infected the leadership of this once great place to live now they want to fine everyone for every little thing so it puts a lil more money in there pockets at the end of the day
Kevin
Interesting Blackford, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Too bad money is such a motivating factor...
Sanitary modern-day man
So we should go back to our disgusting old ways of not separating excrement from where we live and roads we travel? Maybe typhoid fever will make a comeback! It is not just Auburn that enforces this. Open your eyes. This was a major problem e everywhere in the U.S. less than a hundred years ago. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/10/11/exclusive-horse-manure-becoming-an-epidemic-in-and-around-central-park/
Kevin
The link you sent me is interesting, but in that same article it says: "The Health Department was monumentally unmoved by the issue, arguing that horse manure is not a health issue, unless people consume it."
So my response would be the same there as in Auburn, what is the big deal? With all the problems NYC has, horse poop would be about 4000 on my list...