Health department lawsuit continues today

Today is expected to be the final day in court for a civil lawsuit filed by two Marion County farmers against the county health department.
The health department is accused of violating the Sunshine Law in 2006 and 2007 when its board of trustees wrote a health regulation regarding CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations). The health regulation never became effective and has since been rescinded by the health department’s current board of trustees, which includes three new members since the regulation was approved on Jan. 16, 2007.
Closing arguments are scheduled to be heard today by Judge John Jackson in Circuit Court, Associate Division, at the Marion County Courthouse in Hannibal, where the court session is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Judge Jackson has explained he will announce his decision at a later date.
The lawsuit was filed by Jesse Heimer and Ken Disselhorst against the Board of Trustees of the Marion County Health Department and Home Health Agency. The testimony began on March 19 and 20 of this year, then was continued until April 23. The final court session was delayed until today.