It was apparent at Morrison’s public hearing that most residents do not want McNeilus Steel on W. Maple Street.
At the public hearing Tuesday night, over 50 Morrison residents attended and voiced their concerns and disapproval of the company, McNeilus Steel, moving in. The Morrison board will have to vote to rezone the land from agricultural to industrial for the company to build in Morrison.
The general manager of McNeilus Steel, David Graham, was present Tuesday night and showed a short presentation and answered many questions from the crowd. He says the company will primarily be selling and supplying steel to manufacturers.
“We are not going to stamp steel, we are not going to melt anything and we are not going to dump chemicals into the water. It is a very environmentally friendly business,” said Graham.
He informed the residents that the company employs its own drivers and said there would not be any trucks running in the city of Morrison. He says they would use the intersection of Highway 55 and W. Maple St. This happens to be Lavell Whitehead’s driveway. Whitehead’s daughter, LeaAnn Ray, explained that many did not know about this company coming to Morrison until recently.
“Nobody has been able to see these (plans),” said Ray.
“We haven’t had them,” said Graham.
“So we made plans and agreed on things without looking at plans?” asked Ray.
Morrison resident Luanne Laxson asked why the company chose this location instead of inside the Industrial Park. Graham explained the company needs access to railroads and needed the acreage to build its own building. IDB President Don Alexander said there was not rail access at Industrial Park. Many began to disagree, and Morrison Mayor Sue Anderson reminded everyone to speak one at a time and limit speakers to only people who live within the city limits.
“I don’t understand that because our farm is right behind this. Why would it just be the Morrison people? Because my farm is right behind this building, 77 acres, and we are going to hear it also,” said Teresa Prater.
Other residents also began expressing their concerns.
“That board has sold us out to many other companies,” said Patrick Robinson.
“I’ll take that comment and talk for a minute. We aren’t here to sell anyone out,” said Graham.
“You didn’t. You’re not the one,” said Ray.
“That’s OK. What I am here to do is represent McNeilus Steel and how it is a benefit,” said Graham.
“For how long? That is what I’m saying. We get promised everything and it changes and we get sold out,” said Robinson.
“Great, so how long? The only thing I can point to is we have been in business since 1948 and we have never abandoned a city, never abandoned a facility, and we have never abandoned an employee,” said Graham.
“You can abandon us. You can abandon Morrison right now,” said Robinson.
“You’re inviting me to leave. Is that what you mean? Do speak freely. The jobs we will bring and the taxes we will pay and the benefit we can bring to the community I believe is being overlooked,” said Graham.
Graham was asked if the company would need to eventually widen the road on W. Maple Street and representatives from McNeilus said they have had discussions with TDOT and will likely need to widen the intersection eventually. Graham did not want to speak on that without knowing for sure.
“I don’t have an absolute answer,” said Graham.
“So you didn’t come prepared?” asked Robinson.
“It has already been approved,” added Ray.
The Morrison Planning Commission has voted in favor of the rezoning once in November, and the Morrison board has voted once in favor of it. The board will have to vote another time before it is finalized.
Anderson decided they would not vote on the rezoning at the meeting Tuesday night, and scheduled a meeting to vote on it on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.
