March 04, 2006 — SHOPVILLE —Residents of this eastern Pulaski County community say they like the peace and tranquility of living in a rural area. Many live on farms handed down from generation to generation. Others have moved here to get away from an urban lifestyle.

Life as they know it on the family farm, they say, could be lost forever if a $450 million national bioterrorism research lab moves into their neighborhood.

“We are not living out here because we are dumb country farmers. We are living here because we want to live in a rural area,” said Micky Hamilton, whose farm borders the proposed site.

Most seem to agree a national research lab, one of the premier facilities in the country for the study of animal disease control, could mean an economic bonanza for this county. They just don’t want it in their backyard.

“Let me tell you something about agriculture. We live it. We breath it everyday. It’s my way of life. How is this going to benefit our community?” Barbara Reynolds asked at a community meeting on the project Thursday night at Pleasant View Baptist Church.

It was the first meeting to be held in the area — and the first time for residents to voice their concerns — since a National Bio and Agro-Defense facility has been proposed for Brook Ping’s farm on the Mark-Welborn Road. The proposed site is two miles west of the Valley Oak Commerce complex and between Ky. 461 and Ky. 39.

The Department of Homeland Security is looking for a location to replace the antiquated Plum Island, New York, facility. Nearly 300 scientists will work full time at this facility to develop vaccines for some of the world’s most dangerous biological diseases.

Supporters say the lab has the potential to jump-start Pulaski’s economic woes and the potential to grow this area into another Oak Ridge, Tenn. Many residents who live in the area have their doubts.

Ewell H. Balltrip, executive director and CEO of the National Institute for Hometown Security, said the project will not be a “quick fix” to the changing economic conditions, but will provide a foundation to build and diversify the economy in the future.

The facility will be massive in size. Balltrip said the lab will span 500,000-square-feet and “be the size of five Super WalMarts.”

Wes Hargis questioned how the facility will change the landscape of the area. He wondered aloud if the property will become “a big eyesore” after it has outlived its usefulness as a research lab. Hargis said he didn’t want future generations to look back and inquire, “How did grandpa let something like that get over there on that hill?”

Balltrip said Plum Island has been in operation for 50 years. However, according to the book, “Lab 257,” Dr. Michael Thomas said Lyme disease and the West Nile virus can be traced back to Plum Island. He quoted the author as saying both diseases started “just a mile from Plum Island.”

“I don’t think it is a matter of if something will happen, but when will something happen,” said Thomas.

He asked if the lab “will be as safe as going quail hunting with Dick Chaney?”

Vice President Chaney accidentally shot his hunting partner. The response drew a round of laughter from audience members.

Based on information Balltrip said he has received on Bio-Safety Level 4 labs, they have the best equipment, most advanced technology and latest security measures. There has never been a single reported incident of agent release or contamination, he said.

Dr. Bill Hacker, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, said scientists are trained to work with potentially deadly diseases and unknown agents. At his Bio-Safety Level 3 lab in Frankfort, he said his team takes safeguards to protect themselves. Scientists here will work in self-contained suits, or what are referred to as moon suits.

Some residents asked why their community was singled out as a possible site for the research lab when it seems a less-desireable location, such as a desert, former strip mine site or other isolated place, would make a better choice.

Balltrip said time was of the essence. March 31 is the deadline for filing “an expression of interest” by states that would like to have the center located within their borders.

“This is not a done deal. No one is saying for sure this lab will be located on this piece of property,” said Balltrip.