Horn says governor took 'swipe' at farmers with 'Michigan Meatout Day' By Barrie Barber The Saginaw News
March 18, 2010, 6:02AM
March 18, 2010, 6:02AM
State Rep. Kenneth B. Horn says he has a beef with Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm.
Horn, R-Frankenmuth, has declared Saturday “Grill, Baby, Grill” day in his 94th District in answer to the governor proclaiming the day “Michigan Meatout Day,” or a time free of meat consumption in recognition of growing numbers of vegetarians.
“In all seriousness, the governor has taken a swipe at hard-working farmers across Michigan with this misguided proclamation,” Horn said in a statement. “The agriculture industry is helping to grow and sustain jobs for Michigan families, and we need to be thanking them for helping to put great food on our tables.”
Later Wednesday, the governor’s office issued another proclamation that recognized Saturday as “Michigan Agriculture Day,” praising farmers for meat, fruit and vegetable production.
"Every year, we receive hundreds of requests to recognize events and observances that are important to people in Michigan, and when issuing the original proclamation, we meant no disrespect to the agriculture industry," the governor's press office said in another statement.
"The governor has placed a call to the Michigan Farm Bureau to emphasize her support for Michigan's number two industry.
"We suggest that people should not take this too seriously, and we remind everyone that with March Madness upon us, there will be a lot of chicken wings and burgers consumed on Saturday as people follow the NCAA tournament," the statement added.
