Tag Archives: Collective Progression

“Using words like green, renewable, etc. does not magically make it so.” –Russ Anderson

Following up on his previous correspondence. -jsq



From: Russ Anderson
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:20:24 -0500
Subject: Re: Attn: Clarifications on my comments
To: blofton@industrialauthority.com, info@sterlingplanet.com, bmaddox@sterlingplanet.com

Brad,

I’m not saying the project is good, responsible, that it will actually happen, and def. not that you are in any way right in your opinions of “green” and “renewable”.

Furthermore, I really wish you could get beyond the talking point of “the agencies and groups endorsing similar projects”, because again that is a highly contestable and skewed figure as many local, regional, and national agencies, groups, and networks still voice heavy opposition to this issue and biomass incineration.

Using words like green, renewable, etc. does not magically make it so. I know all about framing language and tactics of those wishing to line their pockets and exploit subsidy and tax loopholes. The simple fact that you are so set in your opinion and mentality is quite alarming..

For example, I am more than willing to embrace control technologies and

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Text of letter from Russell Anderson to officials

Can you find a

“veiled threat” in the appended letter?
LAKE couldn’t.

Some people

seem to be forming opinions
of that letter without ever having read it.
LAKE has published links to a PDF of it from four previous posts:

“Far from Over”,

“What is Fiery Roots”,

Russell Anderson Responds,
and

“We got off on the wrong foot”.
Formerly LAKE only had

a PDF of a scan of a paper copy of the email of 3 Jan 2011.
Per request, Russell Anderson has sent plain text, which appears below.
-jsq



All,

My name is Russell Anderson. I am the Co-Director of
Collectiveprogression.org and graduate of Valdosta State. I am writing to
inform you of my intent to publish the below piece on our website and to our
readership as well as produce a full length documentary about the community
struggle against the proposed Wiregrass LLC biomass incinerator.
I have you all on this email {Sterling Assets, Langdale’s, Council, Commissioners,
Authority, Attorneys} and

ALL of you have continued to pass the blame and
buck on the building of this plant.
Rather than doing the more responsible
thing (pending EIS),

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“we got off on the wrong foot.” –Russell Anderson

See also his letter to LAKE. -jsq



From: Russ Anderson

Date: Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Subject: Mr. Paulk. My apologies and clarifications

To: apaulk@lowndescounty.com

Dear Commissioner Paulk,

It seems that we got off on the wrong foot. I have recently been
notified that some of the content within the email I sent to you and
other commissioners January 3rd 2011 regarding the biomass Plant were
taken as a personal attack towards you and perceived as having “veiled
threats”. I’m sorry about that and I apologize for the perceived
hostility.



I was also told that in a private conversation, after the {1/11/11}
commission meeting, you referred to me by name as a threat similar to
the “Virginia Tech Shooter.” That is a very personal (and misinformed)
attack and I would appreciate/request a retraction of that statement.
Like everyone, I was absolutely appalled when that tragedy occurred as
I am anytime I see senseless violence committed against anyone.

My motives are to simply attempt to help support the health of Lowndes
County residents and our environment. To compare me to the person that
committed this atrocious crime is slanderous and a defamation of my
character. Such words and perceptions

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Russell Anderson Responds

Received this morning; see
What is Fiery Roots? and
Paulk interrogates Noll
for backstory. -jsq



From: Russ Anderson

Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:18:02 -0500

Subject: Russell Anderson responses to article about Fiery Roots and
Commissioner Paulk Accusations

Dear L.A.K.E.,

My name is Russell Anderson. Thank you for taking an interest in the
Wiregrass LLC Biomass incinerator issue and my affiliated organization

Collectiveprogression.org.
I am writing today with hopes of clarifying a few things.

First, I’m glad to see there is such an effort as L.A.K.E. in the Lowndes
area. L.A.K.E appears to use strategies that could be modeled by other
communities seeking a more informed population. Information sharing is
critical to achieving a more just and equitable world. The objective of our
organization is simply to share the narratives of community struggles,
solutions, and efforts in hopes of creating better channels of communication
and resource sharing between communities dealing with justice issues. Any
similarities to LAKE’s efforts to

“Cover the planners to connect the dots”
are nothing more than pleasant coincidence.

Hopefully, as our website develops from its infancy, our mission will become
more apparent in the content. We have interviewed people across the country
to uncover ways that people working for justice can be more connected and,

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What is Fiery Roots?

So what is this “Fiery Roots U.S.A. project”
mentioned in the

letter Chairman Paulk said contained “veiled threats”?
LAKE

couldn’t find any threats in the letter,
and we hadn’t heard of its author, Russell Anderson,
so let’s look at

the organization he lists, whose name didn’t ring a bell with us, either.



The
“Fiery Roots U.S.A. project” says:

Collective Progression’s mission is to engage individuals and grassroots
organizations in order to document social and environmental justice
struggles and solutions. We will be providing live and online trainings,
resources, and networking opportunities that empower people to effect
positive change in their communities.

Hm, well, except for the specific focus, that’s pretty much what LAKE does.
More:

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