Location: "One of the cardinal rules of joyful living is that judging others takes a great deal of energy, and, without exception, pulls you away from where you want to be." Quote by Richard Carlson
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WOW, that is scary!
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Location: "One of the cardinal rules of joyful living is that judging others takes a great deal of energy, and, without exception, pulls you away from where you want to be." Quote by Richard Carlson
PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP — An Ohio Department of Agriculture agent seized food, electronic devices and documents from a Pittsfield Township organic and natural food cooperative believed to be unlicensed, according to a search warrant filed yesterday in Lorain County Common Pleas Court.
Jacqueline and John Stowers, owners of the Manna Storehouse, 43565 SR 303, were inspected in November 2007 by the Lorain County General Health District, according to court records.
On Monday, ODA enforcement agent William Lesho confiscated hundreds of pounds of processed beef and large amounts of lamb, turkey and other perishable products in addition to office files, a computer, two cell phones and other electronic devices, according to the search warrant inventory. The items were taken to establish the Stowers' ownership in any property, records of hidden wealth or illegal income and anything that would establish illegal activity, according to the search warrant affidavit.
Jacqueline Stowers declined to comment because she had not seen the court papers yesterday evening.
A health district sanitarian and two other inspectors visited the cooperative on Nov. 30, 2007, to make observations and were told to leave. Jacqueline Stowers wrote in a December 2007 letter to the sanitarian that the inspectors never had permission to be on their property and that the Manna Storehouse is not operating a retail food establishment that requires a license.
"We declare now that we do not want to be a 'licensed retail food establishment' or a 'food service operation' and we do not plan to become one in the future and that we will not knowingly conduct any activities that would require that type of licensing," she wrote.
The matter was forwarded to the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office after the Lorain County General Health District received her letter, according to court records.
is there anything a bout this from a less...slanted...source?
The Morning Journal article doesn't mention the assault rifles at all let alone being pointed at them. I debated about posting this. I personally know these people and have been going to this co-op for 9 years. It is absolutely true and absolutely crazy. I can hardly believe it myself. They have a lot of young kids over there too. In fact it was all women and children being held by the guns. The dad was at work and the son is in Iraq. The DIL lives there with their 4 young kids (baby-5) and then 4 other underage kids and one 18 year old daughter along with the mother, so 3 adult women and 8 kids.
Last edited by Mysticmama : 12-10-2008 at 09:21 AM.
Good gravy, my family founded LaGrange (yes, I'm a Gott).
If the family doesn't have a license and claims they are not operating a food co-op, then why do they have a website up that says they are a food co-op?
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Good gravy, my family founded LaGrange (yes, I'm a Gott).
If the family doesn't have a license and claims they are not operating a food co-op, then why do they have a website up that says they are a food co-op?
Did you live in LaGrange? I went to school with some Gotts' in Wellington. They are a membership only co-op but not a retail food operation. They changed it to membership only this year after the one offer tried entrapment by joining the co-op. I believe he's the same guy or at least the same organization that used entrapment to get the Amish guy for "selling" raw milk after he pushed a $2 donation for the milk. I took my sig pics off since this thread is showing up on at least one blog. Manna Storehouse SWAT, parts 5, 5a — Big brother and the holding company? — or the tip of a much bigger “iceberg” « The Bovine
I found this update, now. You can download the search warrant. Even though the sheriff's office disputes the claims, if you count the officer's names on the search warrant there are 12 and they do carry semi automatic weapons. The sheriff's office say they had a rifle and I would think anyone would feel threatened by that. This family is deeply religious and wouldn't lie about their ordeal. Also the warrant proves that there were only women and children home and that they forced their way in. Lorain County Sheriff's Office disputes 'raid' at Manna Storehouse - Metro - cleveland.com
I don't know if they actually have to have a license, probably according the the govt but they have been running a co-op for many years before now and never believed they had to have one so I'm sure it all came as a surprise. Read all the comments. It's true according to what the ODA and health dept is saying it's illegal for people to sell eggs, vegetables, and other products off the side of the road but they don't have swat teams showing up at their house.
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