Group may reactivate
To the Editor:
"Preserve the Heartland" coordination board met Nov. 14 at the Marcus Carlson home. Board members present were: Nancy Groneman, Eileen Sieger, Bill Kassebaum, Dennis Krause, Phil Smith, Jack Methvin, Marcus Carlson, and Jackie Hett.
An organizational meeting was held April 19, 1990, when Fort Riley was planning an expansion of 100,000 acres in our area. "Preserve the Heartland" strongly opposed this action. In the March 2, 1992, meeting, the Pentagon informed the organization that Fort Riley would not pursue the land expansion.
The group then became inactive. Meetings of the board were held in 1998, 2001, and 2004.
At present time, again there is talk of increasing the size of Fort Riley. The present size of 10,000 personnel would be increased to 20,000 by 2006. There is the possibility of the "Big Red" Division being returned to Fort Riley. It would be an economic boost to the towns around Fort Riley, but devastating to the farmers and ranchers in the area if land expansion is pursued.
We, as an organization, are not anti-military. We support our troops and want the very best training for them.
The base presently consists of 100,000 acres of land. This land has been misused environmentally and needs to be cleaned up. We need to take care of our natural resources. If an additional 100,000 acres of prime farm and ranch land is acquired, many families may be displaced from their homes.
Should land expansion be proposed by Fort Riley, "Preserve the Heartland" would become active again. Jackie Hett
Secretary
