The notebook of statements was a big hit with the Park & Forest Services! Overall, it was a very successful meeting (if we can judge by the amount of obsessive cell-phone and blackberry use by the Allegheny & AEP guys). The park service displays were very well done and impartial -- Morgan held true to her word on that. These guys are really on our side here (if they could be on anyone's side). One of the rangers even bought one of our t-shirts ;-) They were somewhat adamant that they could not expand the scope of the EIS to cover the entire project. One guy told me that FERC and NERC would have to order them to expand it. We persisted in trying to make our case anyhow! One thing that we didn't cover that one of the rangers/park service personnel mentioned -- EMF effects on animals (farm or otherwise) -- and aren't we all animals too? You all might want to create another topic using Martin Blank's Va. Testimony for the Tucker County meeting.

They allowed public speaking during the last hour of the meeting. Morgan said she wasn't sure if they would continue the practice tomorrow night in Purcellville, but you all may want to prepare something and make the request at the beginning of the meeting. Speakers are limited to 6 minutes, but Patience ran over and refused to shut up and sit down until she was done with the book presentation speech. A member of the Sierra Club gave a great little speech that seemed to resonate with the federal personnel. One of our County Commissioners spoke, and another member of our executive committee spoke for a few minutes as well. Ron Poff's little friend was either recording the speeches or broadcasting them on his cellphone to someone/someplace else, not sure which, but it was one or the other.

We had attendance of well over 100 people coming and going throughout the evening. Very impressive turnout! PATH did not have a table, but there were probably 8 - 10 of them circulating and they were easy to pick out, especially since we know a couple of them by name. The ones I can name off hand were Ron Poff and Randy Palmer. They really didn't want to talk to us much and weren't trying to be very sneaky since they knew we knew who they were. If anything, they lost at being sneaky, since I eavesdropped on one of them who thought he was alone and was having a loud cellphone conversation about Capito. The hotel was very nice and allowed us to first set up our own little table out front, and then asked us to move, but it was to the downstairs lobby right outside the meeting room.

The only one who didn't act like we had cooties was Randy Palmer. He made some snide remark about not liking Patience's StopPATH WV t-shirt, so I bought him one of the ones that Steve picked up in Tucker County last year. Not sure which one of you designed these shirts, but here's a photo of Patience presenting Randy with his shirt. He says he "collects this stuff" and also asked for one of our StopPATH logo hand fans. I was going to give him a glow-in-the-dark EMF bracelet, but I'm not sure if he ever got it. Must make sure his PATH collection is complete, because this is the fight they're going to lose!

If anyone has any specific questions that I didn't address, just let me know. (or if someone else on this listserv who was there wants to post their own reflection on the evening -- go for it!)

Tomorrow Steve and I are going over to Purcellville where we can pay more attention to what the power company guys are doing and less time being serious. We also plan to attend Wednesday in Frederick.