Biographical Information: The Woidas were farmers and powerline opponents from Sauk Centre in Stearns County. Subjects discussed: Learning about the powerline project. Effect of the line on farm-placement of tower and position of line; spraying; irrigation; safety. The opposition-concerns of; involvement in; role of outside protesters in; effectiveness of. Working within the cooperative structure. Electricity-conservation; increased need; alternative methods for farmers; underground wiring; future problems with resources. Routing of line-alternative routes; wildlife land given priority. The role of and working with the media. Confrontations-with surveyors; arrests; lawsuits. Compensation by the utilities-easement; annual payment. Involvement of Governor Perpich. Mediation sessions. Costs resulting from the project-vandalism; hiring security quards; to citizens. Clean-up after the line. State government-relationship with utilities; legislators; views of working within the system. Coal mining. How controversy could have been avoided. Leadership role. Impact of lawsuits on opposition. Relationship of Indian movement and the powerline controversy. Iowa Coal scam. Public awareness of controversy.
Biographical Information: The Woidas were farmers and powerline opponents from Sauk Centre in Stearns County. Subjects discussed: Learning about the powerline project. Effect of the line on farm-placement of tower and position of line; spraying; irrigation; safety. The opposition-concerns of; involvement in; role of outside protesters in; effectiveness of. Working within the cooperative structure. Electricity-conservation; increased need; alternative methods for farmers; underground wiring; future problems with resources. Routing of line-alternative routes; wildlife land given priority. The role of and working with the media. Confrontations-with surveyors; arrests; lawsuits. Compensation by the utilities-easement; annual payment. Involvement of Governor Perpich. Mediation sessions. Costs resulting from the project-vandalism; hiring security quards; to citizens. Clean-up after the line. State government-relationship with utilities; legislators; views of working within the system. Coal mining. How controversy could have been avoided. Leadership role. Impact of lawsuits on opposition. Relationship of Indian movement and the powerline controversy. Iowa Coal scam. Public awareness of controversy.
Biographical Information: Tripp was a farmer from Belgrade in Stearns County. She was a protest leader and a candidate for Governor in 1978. Subjects discussed: Learning about the powerline project. Involvement in Keep Towers Out, Counties United for a Rural Environment, States United for a Rural Environment, and Coalition of Rural Environmental Groups. Reasons for the opposition-routing of line; health and safety concerns. Working with state government-personnel; Governor Perpich; legislators. Hearing process. Citizen's advisory committee. Underground wiring as alternative. Lawsuits. Mediation sessions. Confrontations. Energy needs for the future.
Biographical Information: Torborg was a Catholic priest and the director of the Office of Rural Life in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Subjects discussed: Office of Rural Life. Getting involved in powerline issue. Science court. Role in parish. Tesla-work of; relationship of powerline and Tesla's ideas. Alfred M. Hubbard and his work. Aalternative energy sources. Lack of government involvement in alternative energy sources. Working with state officials. Rural America meeting in D.C. Effects of controversy on people in the Sauk Centre area. Attitudes toward government. How controversy could have been avoided. Attitudes after the line is built. Day of prayer on capitol steps. Health and safety issues. Future energy needs and resources.
Biographical Information: Schrom was a native of Albany, Minnesota, where he lived and owned a farm at the time of the interview. In 1970 he was elected to the State Senate. He served on a number of commissions including Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Labor and Commerce. Subjects discussed: Background. Power Plant Siting Act. Why controversy arose. Eminent domain-validity of; use by utilities. Conflict of role as legislator and stance on controversy. Health hazard issues. Tower placement and section lines. Public hearings. Farm bill. Alternatives to line-coal. Future energy needs. Issue over declaring a moratorium. View of opposition-its tactics; organization of; impact on community. Role of Governor Perpich. Impact of costs of powerline and vandalism for citizens.
Richard Louis "Buddy" Olsen, Jr. was born on November 11, 1925 and was raised on the Atlantic coast on Sapelo Island, Georgia. Part of a maritime family he joined the merchant marine upon graduating high school and served on Liberty ships in the South Pacific. He described the extensive training received including nine months on merchant vessels in the South Pacific. He received a commission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and was there when the Japanese surrendered in August 1945. He served for the next nine years transporting goods to war-damaged countries in Europe and Asia as part of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agency under the Marshall Plan and bringing back passengers, including war brides and displaced persons. In 1955, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for 21 years in transport and supply service. Serving both at sea and ashore from a variety of stations, Olsen was part of the Commander of Naval Forces in Vietnam staff for one year in Saigon where he worked with the South Vietnamese in preparing them to take over the naval bases there. He died in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on February 28, 2013.
Biographical Information: The Fuchs were farmers and protest leaders from Belgrade, Stearns County. Subjects discussed: How they learned about the line. Communicating with other farmers about the line. Preventing power company obtaining easements in Stearns County. Obtaining easements in Meeker County. Re-routing of line. Power Plant Siting Act-utilities being grandfathered out; choosing to come under act. Information hearings. Public hearings-corridor route; missing records; Citizen's Advisory Committee; routing of line; health hazards. Utilities projected energy needs. Working with legislators. Governor Perpich and the science court. The People's Power Project and Tesla's experiment being done on the Fuchs land. Federal lawsuit-reasons for filing; hope regarding outcome. Court injunction.
People protest a showing of the film "Gone with the Wind" at Atwood Memorial Center at St. Cloud State University. The protest sign reads, "This film is racist don't support it."
