Thursday, August 28, 2008

By HARRY G. PERKINS
Hub Regional Correspondent

 

LEXINGTON - A special-use permit for a hog farm in the Sumner area is being challenged in Dawson County District Court.

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners was told Tuesday that Larry and Sherry Warner filed the protest for a permit granted to Pigeon Ranch May 30.

The Warners own land south of Sumner near the Pigeon Ranch.

Sherry Warner is the clerk of the Dawson County District Court. The Dawson County Attorney's Office has recused itself from defending the county commissioners' action.

Sherry Warner said the land she and her husband own is next to the Pigeon Ranch. She declined to comment further and referred inquiries to her attorney, Bruce Hart of Cozad. Hart was unavailable for comment.

Dawson County Attorney Liz Waterman will recommend legal counsel for the county to defend itself. The permit for the Pigeon Ranch had been recommended for approval by the county zoning commission.

In other business at Tuesday's meeting, Jake Ripp was formally approved as the new Dawson County surveyor. His contract also calls for establishing a global information system. He took over his duties July 1.

Ripp said he plans on making several changes in the department, including hiring one new person to do field work. Ripp was living at Cairo and has moved to Dawson County.

Also, the commissioners agreed to permit the city of Gothenburg to exercise zoning rights for development of a site south of the city for Monsanto.

Monsanto plans to develop a learning center and demonstration plots for its product line. Attorney Mike Bacon, representing Gothenburg, said Monsanto is developing seeds that use less water.

Bacon said the facility is expected to attract 3,000 to 5,000 visitors to the research center annually and could add $4 million to $5 million dollars in valuation to the county.

A grade crossing on the Union Pacific Railroad main line near Willow Island is to be closed. Tuesday, the commissioners agreed to construct a new road connecting to Road 416.

The cost of the new road has been estimated at $120,000. Union Pacific will pay $85,000 to the county, and the Nebraska Department of Roads will pay up to $17,000 toward the cost.

Big Ben's Blue Grass Shows, operated by Ben Weston, was granted a special-use permit for Friday through Saturday and Sept. 5-7.

Weston said his bluegrass show last year was successful. The show will be four miles east of Lexington at U.S. Highway 30 and county Road 477.

The Friday-Saturday event will include a bluegrass band from Lincoln and a gospel band. Hand and saw carvers and water painters will demonstrate their talents, and food will be available. Weston said no alcohol would be allowed for what he described as a family event.