Months after the announcement and closure of the Tyson Foods beef plant, frustrations boiled over at the Lexington City Council Tuesday evening. At least 150 people filled the Council Chambers and into the hallway to hear an item on the Council agenda to consider an agreement between the City of Lexington and Tyson Fresh Meats on the acquisition of property and railway access.
City Manager Joe Pepplitch said they had been having some conversations with Tyson regarding the acquisition of parcels of land to the east of the main building property, Tyson’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and its surrounding land, along with nearby farmland. Pepplitsch said the agreements also include having access to the Union Pacific Railroad Spur on the Tyson property.
No council member commented when Mayor John Fagot asked whether they had any questions. All 5 council members voted in favor of allowing Pepplitsch to execute the agreements without any further elaboration.
Following the adjournment in the meeting, many people of the crowd remained and continued to dialogue with Mayor Fagot with assistance from Council Member Dora Vivas. Crowd members expressed frustration on the lack of information on the Tyson property since its closure and that many former workers have moved away from the community. They also expressed how workers worked many years at the beef plant contributing to the community and putting down roots.
