Rural Iowa legislator calls for boycott of Des Moines in response to water-pollution lawsuit

Sen. Randy Feenstra

In response to the decision by Des Moines Water Works to sue some northwestern counties over a dispute over water pollution, a rural lawmaker from northwest Iowa has called on residents to launch an economic boycott against Des Moines, William Petroski reports for The Des Moines Register.

Sen. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) said the counties weren't given a chance to resolve the issues to reduce nitrates in water running off farm fields without litigation, Petroski writes. Feenstra wrote on his blog: "Being a rural Iowa legislator, I see this snob urban-versus-rural mentality on a regular basis. Urban cities no longer have any regard for the state's agricultural community."

Feenstra also wrote: "I firmly believe that the power of our agricultural community needs to stand up against Des Moines. I would advocate that rural Iowa boycotts Des Moines. This could be done by shopping in other communities, vacationing in other areas of the state, and holding our many organizational meetings in Ames or Cedar Rapids. Iowa has plenty of great locations; we don't need Des Moines and this arrogant mentality against rural Iowa." (Read more)