News From : DagangHalal.com (17 Jun 2009)
Allowing a slaughterhouse to open in the same building that houses a Subway sandwich shop would be a “Nightmare on William Street,” the restaurant’s owner told Common Council members today during a lengthy hearing.
But supporters insisted the widely debated project would create new jobs and fill an unmet need in the Muslim community. The slaughterhouse would prepare meat in a Muslim tradition known as Halal. Cheektowaga resident Ashraf Kandil said some people drive to Detroit or New York City to buy their meat.
“This would be a great service to the local Muslim community,” Kandil told the Council’s Legislation Committee.
Mastasa Jaarah and his Brooklyn family wants to open a slaughterhouse and farmers’ market in a building at 1285 William St., at Babcock Street. The facility would butcher goats, lambs, rabbits, calves and poultry. Jaarah said only the most humane methods of butchering will be used, and that the family has never had any problems in the 15 years it has operated a similar facility in Brooklyn.
But the co-founder of Animal Advocates of Western New York challenged claims that the slaughterhouse would use humane methods. Nan Simpson claimed animals can suffer even after their throats are cut.
“Slaughterhouses do not belong in urban areas, and slaughterhouses of this type, with their inherent cruelty, should not be constructed anywhere,” Simpson said.
Barbara Carr, executive director of the Erie County SPCA, also urged the Council to block the project.
“Animals will certainly not be kept in the way citizens of Buffalo want them to be kept,” she said.
Subway owner Bobby Horton said he’s convinced that placing a slaughterhouse in the same building as his sandwich shop will put him out of business. He’s worried about odors, waste disposal and the stigma of having a live animal market in the same building.
But Akin A. Wilson said he thinks it’s possible Horton would end up selling more sandwiches as the result of an increase in customer traffic.
Rodney Gaskin said the slaughterhouse and farmers’ market would help spur economic activity in a city that sorely needs it, while allowing people to purchase food prepared in the Halal custom.
“We need to keep our money right here within our community,” said Gaskin.
Council President David A. Franczyk, whose Fillmore District includes the stretch of William Street in question, said he can’t predict how lawmakers will vote when the project comes to them for final action. A showdown vote could occur as early as next week.
By Brian Meyer
News Staff Reporter
Source:The Buffalo News