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.

Greg Arnett was born on April 17, 1953, and raised in Columbus, Ohio, in a neighborhood characterized by small, family-run shops and a strong sense of community. In the 1960s, his family moved to the suburbs of Reynoldsburg, a rapidly developing area transitioning from farmland to suburban housing. After high school, Greg moved to Connecticut with friends, where he lived in a communal setting and worked various jobs. He married Francie in 1972, and they spent a few years in Connecticut before moving back to Ohio to manage a commercial fruit and vegetable farm in Norwalk. The couple eventually returned to Francie's hometown of St. Clairsville, Ohio, where Greg worked in a foundry, learning the intricacies of steel production. Greg spent 34 years working in the steel industry, primarily with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, where he advanced from a second helper on an open-hearth furnace to an industrial electrician. Throughout his career, he experienced the industry's decline, marked by strikes, ownership changes, and eventual closure, which significantly impacted the local community and economy. After the steel mill closed, Greg transitioned to a role as a facility manager at Belco Works, a workshop for individuals with physical and mental disabilities and retired in n 2015.

Scope and Content Note
This oral history captures a conversation with Francie Arnett and Greg Arnett, focusing on the couple's shared familial and cultural backgrounds. The narrative includes vivid memories of Greg’s childhood experiences visiting Pennsylvania, describing traditional household practices, industrial environments, and the historical context of coal mining and steel production. The interview provides insights into labor conditions, safety advancements, and union activities in the mills, highlighting Greg's role in promoting workplace safety. The interview concludes with reflections on changes in industrial safety standards over the past decade.