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Recently, it was discovered that Killen owns about 17 1/2 acres of land on U.S. 72, known by older residents as the "Old Peach Orchard."

For those who haven't lived in Killen long, the property is located next to Mountain Brook Subdivision in the town limits of Killen.

When Mayor Mitchell was asked at the Jan. 14 town council meeting if this property had been offered to Chris Matthews, of Alabama Utility Services LLC, for use as the sewage treatment plant site, he stated that it had not. Why not?

Since the town already owns the property, this seems to be the most appropriate place, considering location, construction cost, and the least potential for catastrophic environmental damage. The property is less than a quarter of a mile from Six Mile Creek and less than a mile from the Tennessee River.

Why run lines 10 miles outside of the Killen town limits to a small creek in Mitchell Town for processing? Could it be because the 17.6 acres are located too close to the Killen council member's own homes? All of their residences are about a mile from the "Old Peach Orchard" property.

Councilwoman Connie Parrish, after the questionable attempts by the council members to keep this matter from not only east Lauderdale County residents, but your own constituents, I do not think you will have to worry about being re-elected to the town council.

Linda H. Smith

Killen