| Man's religion, business face scrutiny in Lockney | |
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By Beth Pratt A-J Religion Editor The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal - Lubbock, Texas | |
LOCKNEY - Samuel Fischer fielded tough questions about his intentions for the cabinet-making business he plans to bring to Lockney as he faced a standing-room-only crowd Friday night at the Lockney Community Center. Fischer's son, Daniel, 16, passed out forms for people to provide written questions. Asked what would happen if the business doesn't work out, Fischer replied, "I don't plan to fail." Some jobs will be available, the number depending on how well the business does, he said. But he also will bring some workers from his plant in Utah. One resident, Bil Anderson, accused Fischer of giving "a politician's answer" to questions about what the business would do for Lockney. Fischer called the meeting, he said, to alleviate fears raised by news reports in the Hesperian-Beacon and on Internet sites. To questions about his membership in the Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints group, which practices polygamy, Fischer said, "I'm not here to convert anybody." He has closed on three houses, one for himself and his family and two for workers in his Utah cabinet business, which will be housed in the vacant Tye building. John Tye of Plainview said he is in contract on the property with Fischer. Inquires began in January through Dwight Thomason with Rick Canup Realtors in Lubbock. Fischer said he already has already purchased and paid for the needed equipment and that some of it is already in the Tye building with the permission of the owner. Law officers were present, but the crowd was orderly, with only a few instances of irritation showing in voices. Glen Graves of Lockney noted the comments about religion, and said, "A time or two, I thought it might get out of hand." While they may not like Fischer's religion, "no one else is coming to Lockney," Graves added. Lee Battey of Floydada said her anxiety level was not lessened by the meeting. "I think we know enough about them that we'd prefer not to have them in our midst." | |
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LubbockOnline.com Originally published Saturday, May 12, 2007 | |
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