Homeland Hall watch points

Hello!
Hopefully most of you attended or tuned into the WTIP sponsored
Homeland Security Forum last night. Some significant notes
and "watch" points are:

-Purposeful focus on expansion of Border Patrol, rather than
Homeland Security facility.
-Stated mission is to "Prevent the entry of terrorists and terrorist
weapons into the U.S."
-Bush Administration' s "Secure Border Initiative" to be implemented
within 3-4 years in the Grand Marais area.
-Facility not directly related to Coast Guard live-fire exersizes, though Glen Schroeder from U.S.B.P. said they deal with the Coast Guard on "a daily basis".
-New York facility example shown during Powerpoint demonstration was
identified as 25,000 sq. feet, which is 10,000 sq. feet smaller than
the building proposed for Grand Marais.
-Commissioner Bruce Martinson stated that he first heard about this
issue on August 8th, 2006.
-Mayor Mark Sando stated that he was not aware of any other sites
being considered.
-Councilor Tim Kennedy stated that there were "a number of sites"
being considered.
-EDA's Matt Geretschlager clarified that there are seven local sites
being considered including a site near the airport.
-Border Patrol's Glen Schroeder commented that a site that offers fiber-optics and city amenities is "much more convenient and much cheaper" than a site that does not have these built in.
-Location closer to the border is not practical due to the agency's need for "quick access" and response time.
-Helipad estimated to be 150 sq. feet with traffic most likely from Black Hawk style helicopters.
-GSA Contractor Trammel Crowe will choose a local site within two weeks.
-Lots sold within the Business Park require a public hearing.
-There are "1 to 2" detentions per month at the Pigeon River
crossing, mostly for lack of proper identification or foreign-national status.
-Enforcement area includes border lakes and lands within and outside
of the BWCAW.
-Possibly "two or three" support positions will be filled by local
employees. Benefit to area cited as "secondary" benefits such as increased local shopping and vehicle maintenance.
-Mayor Sando stated that he "is for the building" regardless of public opinion.
-Mayor Sandbo felt that the proposed EDA site is "out of the way" and inobtrusive with tree cover.
-Border Patrol is "not looking at numbers" but "looking at coverage".
-Proposed building set for full occupancy by end of 2008.
-Additional 43 agents also set to be in place by 2008.

Stay tuned for additional information and the time and place of the
next CCFCC meeting! SLD