Reporter’s notebook: Homeland Security issues aired on WTIP forum

Wednesday evening about 100 citizens attended a forum sponsored (and broadcast) by WTIP radio addressing questions about the proposed Homeland Security facility to a panel of speakers. The questions were audience-generated, but selected by WTIP, and the answers were not subject to debate.
The panel consisted of Glen Schroeder, head of the Grand Forks Border Patrol station which includes Minnesota under its umbrella; Grand Marais mayor Mark Sandbo, clerk Mike Roth, and councilor Tim Kennedy; EDA board members Bruce Martinson (representing Cook County), Tim Kennedy (representing Grand Marais); and EDA director Matt Geretschlaeger.
Schroeder led off with a fact-filled slide show about the role of Border Patrol in working with other agencies involved with Homeland Security. The closest interaction is with the Coast Guard. They also work with FEMA in emergencies, and sometimes the Secret Service. Their mandate is counter-terrorism: “to prevent entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons.” “We are the beat cops on the border,” Schroeder said.
The new facility is to replace the present BP building in Grand Marais, with an eye to bringing the current number of patrol agents from seven to 50 by 2009. It will be “unobtrusive.” The site will house 50 patrol officers and perhaps two or three support personnel in its 34,000 square foot: four holding cells of 300 square feet each, 7,000 square feet of office space, 5,000 for storage, 12,000 for “support,” 7,500 for inside parking, and 800 for “processing equipment.” The guidelines come from government regulations and the facility will hopefully last up to 30 years. The helicopter pad will be about 300 square feet, and the remainder of the site will contain parking for 55, a 100 foot buffer zone and an eight foot chain link fence. Occupancy will likely be complete by the end of 2008.
Schroeder said that the biggest helicopter would be a Black Hawk, and most would be smaller and quieter. Ninety-five percent of air traffic would come and go from the existing airport. He believes this increase is necessary although he said at present only one or two people per month are detained at the Pigeon River border. None have been terrorists. “The northern border is about coverage,” he said, because there are 2,000 miles of land and water where terrorists might enter illegally.
Schroeder confirmed that government officials from GSA and Homeland Security are looking at seven possible sites, including the one in Cedar Grove Business Park. Within two weeks, five of the sites should be eliminated; then Trammel Crowe, GSA contractor, will choose one of the remaining two. Some of the site owners are private individuals who, he said, are entitled to privacy at this stage. “We don’t want to have, and we won’t have problems,” he said. Low intensity lighting can be used.
The advantages to the community will be the addition of 50 families, their vehicles buying gas and being repaired, their children attending schools, their (presumably) wives grocery shopping. There is also a possibility that local contractors could sub-contract for some of the construction work. “It’s an economic boon,” he said. “These are the highest quality people.”
The agents will spend at least three years training at the Mexican border, learning Spanish, before being posted here. “It’s a matter of opinion where to put security,” Schroeder said. “If a terrorist should come, we can’t afford to miss even one hour, one day of being off guard.” Although up until now, terrorists have come with passports and visas, Schroeder believes a significant threat will be posed at the northern border as legal entry becomes more difficult. Asked if he would meet with residents for discussion again, he said, “Yes, when the site is selected and we have architects’ drawings. We are a good neighbor and I would be delighted to meet with the community again.”
Geretschlaeger said there will be advantages if the Cedar Grove site is selected and he has not had any complaints from the other businesses that have already reserved lots. The building will have to meet restrictive covenants, as well as Grand Marais city ordinances.
A public hearing process will be required by the EDA.
Sandbo, Kennedy and Roth said they support the facility in Grand Marais, whatever public opinion might be. They said the developer-owner of the site will have to pay taxes. Kennedy feels there is no conflict of interest in his representing a potential developer while supporting the overall EDA plan, because he did not vote when his client asked for a go-ahead to purchase three lots. Martinson said he is inclined to support the project but added that if the chosen site is in Grand Marais the county will have no involvement. All agreed to attend a future public comment meeting.

Nancye Belding
True North correspondent