Hey Aaron…Dave Setnicker, Biwabik. You’ve occasionally noticed my stories on HTF and I appreciate it. As the Range goes thru a mining unemployment dip I’m on the precipice of writing a story about the IRRR..”Now What..another Recharge The Range”…the failings of the 1940 mission statement of the IRRRB to find/prospect for non mining industries to help balance the almost predictable mining downturns.
Wanted to meet with you about this the kernel of the story that should expose the malfeasance. Is this something you’ve given some thought?
So it isn’t enough you bias was called out today by writers in the Strib opinion but you had to then spew even more in something of yours featured today?
Maybe someday the Strib will hire opinion columnists that have the same opinion as their readers?
You want me to say your opinion under my byline. It doesn’t work like that. I have been writing opinion columns for 25 years. I try my best to be honest and fair in expressing arguments based on the information I gather along the way. You’re never required to agree. If you’d like to contest something I wrote, try to be specific about where you disagree. This is my personal author website, so consider submitting a letter to the editor.
Aaron.
My comments are based on the lives of two generations of lron Range miners. My mom’s father who arrived as a single young man from Calabria., my dad , first generation born in the US, ( parents from the Parma area of ltaly) and me, born in Hibbing in 1952.
Grandpa worked in the mines & tunnels near Kitzville until he was seriously injured . He was then “ released “ and finally found steady employment as a custodian for the Androy Hotel. ( He also played cards for “The House “ and received a small stipend . During prohibition he made wine in his basement and distributed it by hiding the bottles under the petticoats of his 5 elementary age daughters. He was never discovered., but I believe his clandestine deliveries to city politicians & higher police officials certainly didn’t hurt.)
After serving in the Army Air Corps in WWll my dad returned and worked for Hanna & and eventually ended employment at National Taconite in Nashwauk Keewatin . After over 25 years accident free work, the previous maintenance mechanic (s) failed to properly reconnect couplings on high pressure lines he was sent to work on. The result was his being blown off a 10 foot scaffolding to land 15 feet onto the concrete floor. Initially the company attempted to place 100% of the blame on my dad, saying he didn’t follow proper safety protocols.
Eventually the Union proved their accusations false and he
did get a pension.
My experiences in “ the mines” were overall positive .
My older brother and l were fortunate to have been hired for summer work. Usually labor in the pit or taconite plants at the Butler or National Steel. These , or construction jobs were considered the cream of summer employment.
The work could be hard & dirty but that was expected . Being 18- early 20 something males made the conditions more of a challenge than an obstacle . We both remained grateful for the jobs long after graduating from college.
In closing…. Finally.. 👍😊 ….as long as employees accept the reality of all circumstances of mineral extraction occupations and remember that once the resource is gone or no longer profitable they’re gone.
Period. They’re not family…. nor outright villians… in most cases. It’s business, that’s all.
Author of MinnesotaBrown.com
5 responses to “Contact Aaron J. Brown”
Hey Aaron…Dave Setnicker, Biwabik. You’ve occasionally noticed my stories on HTF and I appreciate it. As the Range goes thru a mining unemployment dip I’m on the precipice of writing a story about the IRRR..”Now What..another Recharge The Range”…the failings of the 1940 mission statement of the IRRRB to find/prospect for non mining industries to help balance the almost predictable mining downturns.
Wanted to meet with you about this the kernel of the story that should expose the malfeasance. Is this something you’ve given some thought?
Dave
Hi Dave — you can reach me at my e-mail: aaronjbrown@yahoo.com
So it isn’t enough you bias was called out today by writers in the Strib opinion but you had to then spew even more in something of yours featured today?
Maybe someday the Strib will hire opinion columnists that have the same opinion as their readers?
You want me to say your opinion under my byline. It doesn’t work like that. I have been writing opinion columns for 25 years. I try my best to be honest and fair in expressing arguments based on the information I gather along the way. You’re never required to agree. If you’d like to contest something I wrote, try to be specific about where you disagree. This is my personal author website, so consider submitting a letter to the editor.
Aaron.
My comments are based on the lives of two generations of lron Range miners. My mom’s father who arrived as a single young man from Calabria., my dad , first generation born in the US, ( parents from the Parma area of ltaly) and me, born in Hibbing in 1952.
Grandpa worked in the mines & tunnels near Kitzville until he was seriously injured . He was then “ released “ and finally found steady employment as a custodian for the Androy Hotel. ( He also played cards for “The House “ and received a small stipend . During prohibition he made wine in his basement and distributed it by hiding the bottles under the petticoats of his 5 elementary age daughters. He was never discovered., but I believe his clandestine deliveries to city politicians & higher police officials certainly didn’t hurt.)
After serving in the Army Air Corps in WWll my dad returned and worked for Hanna & and eventually ended employment at National Taconite in Nashwauk Keewatin . After over 25 years accident free work, the previous maintenance mechanic (s) failed to properly reconnect couplings on high pressure lines he was sent to work on. The result was his being blown off a 10 foot scaffolding to land 15 feet onto the concrete floor. Initially the company attempted to place 100% of the blame on my dad, saying he didn’t follow proper safety protocols.
Eventually the Union proved their accusations false and he
did get a pension.
My experiences in “ the mines” were overall positive .
My older brother and l were fortunate to have been hired for summer work. Usually labor in the pit or taconite plants at the Butler or National Steel. These , or construction jobs were considered the cream of summer employment.
The work could be hard & dirty but that was expected . Being 18- early 20 something males made the conditions more of a challenge than an obstacle . We both remained grateful for the jobs long after graduating from college.
In closing…. Finally.. 👍😊 ….as long as employees accept the reality of all circumstances of mineral extraction occupations and remember that once the resource is gone or no longer profitable they’re gone.
Period. They’re not family…. nor outright villians… in most cases. It’s business, that’s all.