POSTVILLE, Iowa -- The town seems silent now.
Loud outcries poured from the community of 2,000 last May when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained almost 400 undocumented workers at Agriprocessors Inc. At the time, the slaughtering company was the nation's largest kosher meat supplier and the largest employer in Alamakee County.
While much attention has shifted from what was the nation's largest immigration raid in American history, news continues to come from the town working to maintain quality of life.
city
Two weeks ago, the Postville City Council said goodbye to the town's mayor.
Robert Penrod submitted his resignation during a March 9 City Council meeting, where he was criticized for buying a phone and
e-mail device and after city employees complained that they didn't get enough support from the mayor and council, according to The Associated Press.
Penrod said his resignation stemmed from stress and anger.
"It's not a fun job," he said in a previous interview. "It's a
News You Can Use |
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What: Nationwide Day of Remembrance Prayer Vigil and Solidarity Walk Why: To mark the first anniversary of the Postville immigration raid and focus on such issues as immigration reform, just labor practices, family unity and ending raids Where: St. Bridget Catholic Church, Postville When: 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 12 What else: The Postville Raid Commemoration Committee is asking social action, political and faith-based groups across the nation to plan their own events and either ring church bells or blow shofars at 10 a.m. |
The council is seeking candidates to fill the position.
church
About 40 displaced workers still receive help from St. Bridget's Catholic Church.
Each week, they go to the parish hall to present their bills. Outstanding balances are paid through donations received by the church.
About $80,000 is required monthly to keep families fed, clothed and under a roof.
"But right now, the donations have dropped down to just a trickle," said Deacon Pat Malanaphy, pastoral administrator for the church.
Tough economic times do little to help Postville's problem.
"Jobs are very hard for these people to come by," he said. "And with so many of these people still wearing their ankle bracelets, not having court dates until November or December, what are they supposed to do? And our question is, 'How long can we support them?'"
company
Agriprocessors still is operating, but the company is not hiring, according to local officials.
And the plant's future remains in limbo. An auction for the plant and its assets began earlier this week and met failure as the company's two lenders -- who are owed more than $26 million -- denied several bids for the properties, deeming the offers too low.
While the company struggles to continue production, its former manager Sholom Rubashkin faces other problems. A federal judge recently denied his request for his trial to be moved to another venue.
The company, Rubashkin and several other officials face federal charges of aiding and abetting the employment of illegal immigrants.
school
Enrollment is down.
According to school officials, the elementary and middle school has 350 students -- about 15 fewer than who showed up for the first day of school last year.
The high school maintains previous enrollment numbers, with 173 students in the building.
Districtwide, there are 523 students being educated -- 19 fewer than were counted this fall by the Iowa Department of Education.
Elementary and middle school principal Chad Wahls expressed optimism at the year's beginning.
"This town will always be a diverse town," he said. "It will repopulate."
