Francie & Greg Arnett

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Gas Rush

Description

This series consists of original digital audio interview recordings and selected CD listening copies relating to the Carrie and Michael Kline's documenting the wide spectrum of citizen opinion about natural gas extraction (Fracking / hydraulic fracturing) in Northcentral West Virginia mainly during 2014 and 2015. The interviews were drawn upon for use in the 8-minute audio feature Pay Dirt. Originals are housed with the Michael and Carrie Nobel Kline Collection at the Berea College Special Collections and Archives

To browse this collection and others, please visit the Berea College Special Collections & Archives: https://bereaarchives.libraryhost.com/

Interviewer
Date of Interview
06-27-2015
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting 

Principal Investigator
Audio
Biographical Sketch

Francie Arnett, a native of St. Clairsville, Ohio, is a woman of Polish descent who has a deep-rooted connection to her heritage and family. Raised in a close-knit family, she has a profound understanding of her siblings' careers, particularly her brother's role in the oil and gas industry. This understanding has significantly shaped her perspective on the industry's impact on her community. Arnett's educational journey and career path have also played a crucial role in her life, further influencing her views on the oil and gas sector. One of the significant aspects of her life has been the leasing of mineral rights, a decision that has had a profound impact on her and her neighbors. Arnett's life story is a rich tapestry of personal experiences, familial relationships, and the influence of industry on community life.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Francie Arnett provides a comprehensive insight into her life, family history, and the impact of the oil and gas industry on her community. The discussion begins with Arnett sharing her upbringing in St. Clairsville, Ohio, her Polish heritage, and her family's influence on her understanding of the oil and gas industry. She also delves into the impact of leasing mineral rights on her and her neighbors. The narrative then shifts to her experiences of living on a farm, the family reunions, and the decision to sell the farm. Arnett discusses the challenges of selling the property and the importance of finding the right buyer. The interview also explores her family's history with coal mining and unions, where she expresses both pride and sorrow. Arnett also discusses her financial situation and the importance of leaving something for her children and grandchildren. The interview concludes with the interviewer expressing gratitude for the interview, encapsulating a rich narrative of Arnett's life, her family's history, and the influence of industry on their lives.

The interview with Greg Arnett and Francie Arnett provides a rich and detailed account of their backgrounds and experiences. They share their experiences of traveling to Pennsylvania and being amazed by the different lifestyle there and talk about cooking on a wood stove and seeing underground coal fires, experiences that were likely new and different for her. This discussion provides valuable insights into the working conditions in the steel mills and the challenges faced by the workers. The interview also touches on the shared backgrounds of Greg, Francie, and Gina, including their parents and upbringing. This shared background provides a common thread that ties their experiences and perspectives together. The interview provides a rich and detailed account of their lives, offering valuable insights into their experiences and perspectives.

The interview with Greg Arnett provides a rich and detailed account of his life, work, and perspectives on various issues. Arnett discusses his upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, his move to Connecticut, and his early work experience on a fruit and vegetable farm. He also delves into his career in the steel industry, the financial struggles he and his wife faced when they bought a farm, and the impact of the steel mill's closure on the community. Arnett's later work at a sheltered workshop and his retirement are also covered. On a more personal note, he shares the joyous day his son was born and their attempts at commercial farming on their own farm. The interview also captures Arnett's thoughts on organic farming and the challenges it presents. He expresses his concerns about the gas and oil industry's impact on the community, the exploitation of the area, and the lack of unity in addressing environmental and social issues. Arnett also reflects on the changing attitudes and polarization in society. This interview offers valuable insights into the life of an individual deeply connected to his community and the land, and his perspectives on the challenges and changes it faces.


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