Residents of northern Wisconsin will have the opportunity to learn about the proposed Penokee Hills and Gogebic Range iron ore mine from a variety of perspectives. The college will sponsor a public forum on Saturday, Jan. 28, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Campus Center Alvord Theatre. Discussion will feature presentations on the geological, scientific, social and cultural aspects of mining with opportunities for the public to ask questions of the panelists and presenters. WRNC will broadcast the forum live from noon to 5 p.m. People may tune into 97.7 or listen online at www.wrnclp.org.

“As an educational institution with a long history of involvement in environmental matters, our role is to help provide sound information so individuals can make their own decisions about the complex issue of reestablishing mining in this region,” said Michael A. Miller, President of Northland College. “We want Mining and the Environment Week to take the conversation beyond ‘are you for or against mining’ so that our society can make informed decisions about one of the most important economic proposals in this state for many decades. What we decide now will affect our children and our children’s children.”

The Jan. 28 forum will include presentations from professionals with an informed understanding of various aspects of mining regulation and legislation. A group of panelists will ask questions of the presenters, followed by opportunities for audience questions.

Presenters will include Mike Wiggins, tribal chair of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who will address the issue of sovereignty and resource management; Tom Evans, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, University of Wisconsin-Extension, speaking on the role of resource regulation and democratic processes; George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and retired secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, addressing recent mining history and regulation in Wisconsin.

Panelists will include Jennifer Giegerich, the Legislative Director of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters; Randy Lehr, Bro Professor at Northland College; and Patrick Boerboon, board member of the Ashland/Bayfield League of Women Voters, past Chair of the Town of Gingles and a private practice attorney. Campus Minister David Saetre will moderate the forum.

Ashland Mayor Bill Whalen will be a guest on a new weekly segment on Northland College radio station 97.7 WRNC. Whalen is the first guest on the segment “Leaders News & Views,” which interviews local leaders in the Chequamegon Bay area about issues facing their cities. The segment will air on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 9 a.m. Danielle Kaeding, station manager of WRNC, talks with Whalen about current news and issues facing the City of Ashland. Whalen touches on the cleanup of the former Chicago Iron-Roffers site near Beaser Avenue, the city’s newly enacted Unified Development Ordinance, government prayer at council meetings and more.

Listen here

 

Washburn Mayor Ralph Brzezinski is scheduled to be the guest on next week’s segment, which will cover Washburn’s waste water treatment plant and city budget. Listeners may also stream this program and other WRNC programs online at www.wrnclp.org.

Followed by a special discussion on northern Wisconsin’s economy and proposed mining legislation

Rural Mail Carrier returns tonight at 5 p.m. on 97.7 WRNC with a rebroadcast of the Bird Flu episode recorded live in May 2008 at StageNorth in Washburn, WI. Sam saves Mrs. J’s pet chicken, Miracle, from being skewered by an angry mob afraid that Miracle was the source of a bird flu epidemic. Check out highlights to that program here.

 

Afterward stay tuned for a special discussion on northern Wisconsin’s economy, new legislation revising mining laws and more with WPR reporter Mike Simonson, Ashland Current reporter/publisher Andrew Broman and WRNC station manager Danielle Kaeding. You can view the corner table discussion courtesy of Wisconsin Eye here.