TACONITE MINE TOWN HALL MEETING

I really enjoyed the conclusion to GE410.  I played the role of the Gtac representative.  Being that our economy is in the state it is in, the majority of the conversation focused on jobs creation and economic growth.  My dear environmentalist friends really brought home the negative impacts the mine could pose on the landscape and its people.  My responses about air and water pollution focused on the standards the company would be held to in order for us to even begin the project.  I explained that Gtac had to prove to the state of Wisconsin that we had measures to control pollution.  I used the Northstar Economic Report to back the profits and jobs that could be created from the mine.  I really feel that the media had chosen the side it wanted to stand with and so finding information supporting the mine was much more difficult.  Furthermore, media coverage were twisting figures and exaggerating impacts and truths.  On the other hand, you can clearly see where the company uses political responses to answer environmental concerns.
HERE IS THE MINE SITE                             HERE IS THE LAND  

HERE IS AN IDEA OF WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE
        

This is sad to think about, however, I did read that they would back fill the mine and plant the trees and other plants that were removed.

What is most dramatic to me personally is the livelihood the mine could bring back to the majority of it's citizens.  A miner would be paid 82 thousand dollars throughout the year.  This is EXTREMELY significant to the people in this community.  Imagine wondering how you were going to pay your bills and how you were going to feed your children.  Now imagine having that stress taken away and being able to earn money to save for your children's collage and vacations.  This would bring so many people out of a state of depression and feeling as if they were failures.  As a nursing student this matters to me.  I am passionate about the human aspect of life.  I wish that no human had to suffer.  Going through nursing school opens your eyes up to the travesties that other humans live with and to be able to relieve their suffering is special and important.  The other human part of this would be the displacement of the natives.  Once again they would have their homes taken from them.  Why should they have to be displaced when this is and has been their home.  I would hope with all my heart that IF the mine were built that Gtac would offer the natives payed schooling to train them so that they would have employable skills.  Perhaps open their eyes to environmental jobs they could hold or humanistic jobs like nursing and counseling.  I believe it is possible to build the mine in a way that is good to everyone.

I am also not in opposition of Amanda's idea to create a touristic environment that could lead to growth and jobs.  It is important to keep in mind however that development would occur in another form such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist things like that.  A very good example of this is Lake Geneva Wisconsin.  I grew up here so I know first hand the growth it has see.  The lake is supposedly one of the cleanest in Wisconsin and it is a major attraction to the citizens of Illinois.  When I first moved there it was mainly the small downtown corner with the lake.  Now, there is a whole new part of it.  There's a super center Walmart (of course), fast food shops, Rue 21, TJ Max, Home Depot...etc.  Anyhow, this section is up the hill and away from the Lake so I could see how keeping it small but advertising it's environment could promote some growth.  I;m not sure how large the lakes are in that area so I wouldn't know what kind of attraction could bring people to the area.  Secondly, I don't think these type of jobs could promise the wages mining could.

In all, this situation is extremely complex and should not be dealt with lightly.  All environmental concerns should be addressed.  I would implore others to really understand where the towns people are coming from and how it is to be in their shoes.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THIS CLASS WAS A GREAT ENDING TO THE YEAR AND MY SCHOOL CAREER.  I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE MET ALL OF YOU AND WILL ADMIT THAT YOU EACH HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON HOW I LIVE AND I WILL PROMISE TO KEEP ALL OF IT IN MIND WHEN I BUILD MY HOME IN THE FUTURE.