Alpena News Article on Viking Energy Protest

[asagady@sojourn.com]

350 citizens protest proposed waste burning plant 
in Lincoln, MI last Saturday

==========================

Alpena News  11/04/96

Protestors Rally Against Viking Energy;
Children Main Theme of March

by Jane Dunshee, 
Alpena News Staff Writer

[Photo Caption:  Strength in numbers was the point at the
Alcona County Environmental Coalition Protest
Saturday against Viking Energy as marchers walked through
town.]

LINCOLN, MI -- Every age group was represented at the Alcona
County Environmental Coalition rally against Viking Energy,
from senior citizens chauffeured around the route in vehicles to
children bundled up and trundled around in wagons.

But the recurring theme was that this protest for the youth of the
community and of the state.

Many of the volunteers have only recently become involved
with the coalition.  Glen Apsey, who held a major role in 
directing the protestors and traffic, just started working with
the coalition one month ago.

However, Apsey's roots in the community and his care for
what happens runs deep, and he just had to get involved.  One
of the first settlers on Lincoln Lake was his great-great-grandfather
Max Apsey, and his parents were among the seniors be chauffeured.

A sign on their car said, "We made it to 88, are you?"

Apsey is a farmer with over 50 breed cows in his stalls,
but recently has has seen some strange things.  For example, there
have been 12 deformed calves born in the past five years, the 
last having only three legs, he said.

A state veterminarian told him the cause was heavy metals, and 
Apsey intends to have extensive testing done this summer on his
cattle and farm, especially since he was one of the first and heaviest 
users of ash from the Viking plant, he said.

If this is what may be causing problems with his cattle, what might it be
doing to the people, he said.

Lance Mendyka, 18, and Kristina French, 17, showed up at the rally
hand in hand and their concerns were the same as Apsey's.

"It affects us a lot," French said.

The high school chemistry classes are doing research on the 
internet and in the library on the topic and some of what they are 
finding is scary, she said.

Mendyka said many students are opposed to the plant, but 
didn't show up for the protest.  Even so there were at least 
12 other high school students there.

At 10:40, marchers line the main street of Lincoln, silently
holding up home-make signs.

One had tire tracks on it and said, "Don't let Viking run over
Lincoln."

Another man, holding up a silver metallic sign, was wearing 
a gas mask.

Many of the signs were constructed by Diane Dingledein and
her sons, ages 14, 12 and 11, to pass out to people who 
hadn't brought their own.  The oldest, Quinton Evans did the
staple work.

After about 20 minutes on 2nd Street, the approximately 350 
protestors turned up the street and moved on to the Senior 
Citizens building for a few brief speeches.  As they continued 
through town, coalition members held their signs up to business
windows so the owners and occupants would not 
miss the point.

Not all the participants had a lifetime of commitment to the 
area.  Charlie Hancock has been in Lincoln less than 17 years,
having moved up after his retirement.

"If I'm going to live here I'd like to keep it as it was when I 
came here,"  he said.

As the Senior Citizens Center, an imposing white brick building
in the center of town, Steve Yokom, coalition president, spoke 
about the goal of the march which was to show the village
council how serious area residents are taking the issue.

"There is only one way to stop this and that is through our 
local government," he said.

Joan Gonyea, a village council member, passed out packets of 
photo-copied letters for people to sign and send to various
government officials.

A crowd member asked Yokom about a rumor that the city
could face a lawsuit.  

"If they back down from a suit they are putting a price tag on 
out health and on our families health," Yokum said in reply.

By noon most marchers were headed back to their cars,
talking about finding someplace warm to thaw their fingers.
The organizers were talking about how pleased they were
with the turnout.  Dingledein
was thrilled with the numbers and said they could have 
been larger.

"I know a lot of people wish they could be here," she said, 
talking about senior citizens who did not feel they could make
the walk.

Pam Idema, coalition activist and researcher, said, "I think 
this shows that there is a valid concern here, that we are not 
just a bunch of radicals out causing trouble."

Viking has applied for a permit to burn alternative fuels
in addition to their current fuel of untreated waste woods.  
The proposed fuels are creosote treated wood such as railroad 
ties, construction/demolition wood, pentachlorophenal 
treated wood such as utility poles, particle board/
plywood, and tire derived fuel.

The permit has not yet been granted.