I learned last week that Mike Henbest, owner of the property where HydroAg Environmental proposes to construct a sludge-storage tank, has been receiving death threats. 

He attributes the threats, I was told, to me. 

Or, to be more accurate, to the publication of articles I’ve written for the Cassville Democrat pertaining to a pending permit for the 900,000-gallon sludge tank planned for his property.

The news about the death threats was delivered to me via a mutual acquaintance, since Mr. Henbest is reluctant to talk to me personally. However, the validity of the threats was confirmed by the Barry County Sheriff’s Department. An investigation into the source of the threats is ongoing.

This isn’t cool, folks! In fact, I’m dismayed.

I’ve been the recipient of threats before, so I know how frightening they can be. In my case, the threats happened years ago, and were intended to prevent me from writing a story about a legal case involving alleged child molestation. While I didn’t necessarily fear for my life, I did feel physically threatened.

Either way, threats are a bully’s game, and I have no respect for bullies, no matter which side of a controversial topic they endorse.

Threats are intended to make their targets feel vulnerable, and they often succeed. Sometimes they serve the intended purpose of silencing their recipients. Sometimes, however, they can have the opposite effect. For those made of sturdy stock, a received threat can make a person more determined to continue the course of action they were threatened to stop pursuing.

Mr. Henbest took the right course of action in taking the threats to the sheriff, just as I reported mine to the local police.

I’m ashamed that readers of my articles could stoop to the level of death threats.

Yes, my articles and editorials often have political connotations, but they’re designed to make people think — think about a larger picture, perhaps, or, in this case, think about how the land-application of sludge will affect our property values and the quality of the water in our springs and wells 10 or 20 years down the road.

Yes, we have a difference of opinion among residents in Barry County regarding the practice of storing and land-applying meat-processing residuals (commonly referred to as “sludge”). 

But, it’s not Mr. Henbest’s fault. He’s simply taking advantage of what Missouri law allows.

If you have a problem with Mr. Henbest and his practices, take them to the source of the problem: the state law, beginning with our elected state officials – State Rep. Scott Cupps and State Sen. Mike Moon.

If Mr. Cupps and Mr. Moon seem reluctant to address your concerns, another option exists. Residents of Barry County can do what the residents of Newton and McDonald County did: form a citizens’ coalition, start raising funds and hire an environmental attorney to file a lawsuit against the appropriate entities. 

Decide how much the quality of our groundwater in Barry County — including the water in Roaring River Spring — is worth to you, and proceed according to the law. Death threats are not acceptable. No self-respecting attorney would want to represent a bunch of bullies and hooligans.

Meanwhile, you can submit a public comment to the DNR through 5 p.m., July 15, letting them know why you disagree with the construction of a sludge storage tank on Mr. Henbest’s property.

Comments can be emailed to [email protected]. Please include permit number MO0141021 in the comment letter, referencing the Cassville Storage Tank.

More information about the draft permit and the public comment period can be found at https://dnr.mo.gov/calendar/event/305501.

And, Mr. Henbest, if you’re reading this, I’d love to meet and talk with you in person. There are two sides to every story, and we do have something in common, it seems.

Sheila Harris is a long-time Barry County resident and a sales executive and investigative reporter for the Cassville Democrat with a particular interest in environmental topics. She may be reached at [email protected].