The Forward reports:
Stephen Bloom, the author of the book "Postville," believes that the current tensions have less to do with the immigrants and more to do with the Jewish owners of AgriProcessors. Bloom said that residents have long standing concerns about AgriProcessors and its workers, but they were afraid that public criticism might drive the company — the town's economic engine — to leave. Now, he said, it is clear that the plant is here to stay, so people are speaking out.
"People on the council feel empowered to say things they only whispered in the past," Bloom said.
Indeed, the new town council members said they were motivated to run for office because they believed that the old town council had grown too close to AgriProcessors, taking paid trips to New York and Europe on the company.