Marilyn O'Bannon and her family on their Missouri farm. Marilyn is in the back row just above the word "For".
Instead of waiting around for someone else to save you, sometimes you have to be that "someone" that steps up. I met Marilyn more than than a decade ago, right around the time she tried to attend the information meeting at the ABB plant in her story below. Since that time, Marilyn has become an informed and effective advocate for landowners impacted by the Grain Belt Express project (still unbuilt after more than a dozen years). Not only has she lead the charge to battle the project on all fronts, she's also served a term as a County Commissioner for Monroe County, Missouri, along the way.
Marilyn is one of my heroes because she's dedicated and fearless. Here's her story about how she stepped up to the job of leading a transmission opposition group simply because it was the right thing to do (and the only thing for her to do).
Don't wait for some other hero to come along. The hero in your story is YOU!
Marilyn is one of my heroes because she's dedicated and fearless. Here's her story about how she stepped up to the job of leading a transmission opposition group simply because it was the right thing to do (and the only thing for her to do).
Don't wait for some other hero to come along. The hero in your story is YOU!
This is the story of Marilyn O'Bannon from Monroe County, Missouri. She didn't see herself as becoming an advocate. She was just doing what needed to be done. Here, in her own words, are her thoughts and feelings that guided her incredible journey. Marilyn continues to fight on.
My story
by Marilyn O'Bannon
The day I was informed Grain Belt Express (GBE) merchant transmission had a proposed route to cross our family’s farms, it struck an emotion in me that I had never experienced. I first thought if I’m just finding out about this project, then others need to know as well. After searching for information on Google, my emotion immediately changed to anger as how could this happen in our county without people knowing about it? Within minutes I called my US Representative, Sam Graves. His legislative assistant informed me Rep. Graves was aware of project and there were constituents in favor of the project. I was asked to get more information and call back. I next called my State District Representative, Jim Hansen. Rep. Hansen had more information on the project, informing me that Grain Belt representatives and lobbyists had been at the state Capitol asking for support of the project. This was my first contact ever with Rep. Hansen, and he let me know he was not comfortable with the project and said he was willing to support Monroe County landowners.
After these initial calls, I felt overwhelmed realizing this was worse than I thought, especially after discovering the company, Clean Line, was planning to file an application with the PSC in March, and it was mid-December. My younger son, said “Mom, you have to do something.” I thought, what? This actually motivated me—yes, do something! I told my son, let’s visit the county commissioners as soon as possible. A couple of days later, my son and I showed up unannounced to meet with the commissioners. My thought previous to speaking with the three commissioners (men), was I need to let them know about this horrible project that is proposed to go through our county because they should do something. As soon as I told them what I had learned, they smiled and said they had been meeting with Clean Line/GBE for almost two years, and that the county was going to receive a lot of tax revenue from the project. I asked if they had verified that information, and they looked surprised and said well that is what project owner Clean Line's (CL) representatives told them. I asked several more questions they couldn’t answer and then was told I should contact Adhar Johnson (from CL), she is really nice and good looking. They gave me her number. I reiterated that I could not believe I knew nothing about his project, and the commissioners told me, “you should have gone to the open house last summer.” I said what Open House? CL had told commissioners all of the landowners were invited to the open house and the commissioners attended. I asked if they saw any landowners on the proposed route at the open house, got a blank stare, then they recalled one landowner there and they thought he supported the project. I said I can’t imagine why anyone would support a project like this. Then one of the commissioners said, “you will get paid well for the easement.” I replied it’s in the middle of our fields, no amount of money would be enough and asked, “would you want this line in the middle of your farm?” The commissioner looked down and said no. I told the commissioners it was evident more information was needed about the project, and I would be back the next week to see if they were able to verify the tax revenue and other project details. I said I would try to call Adhar Johnson and report back.
Following this meeting, I contacted several close neighbors and discovered no one was aware of the GB project. I quickly became more motivated to get some answers and get all of the folks on the proposed route contacted. My son recalled in a recent visit to his in-laws in northwest Missouri, he saw signs with words Block Grain Belt Express. I contacted his in-laws to get contact information on Block Grain Belt Express. I was able to get in contact with someone who was leading opposition of GBE for the past six months. I returned to visit with the county commission, and discovered the commissioners were not able to verify the $800,000 tax revenue for the county that Clean Line representatives had told them. Again, the commissioners seemed to think this project was good for the county and I stated there should have been a meeting organized by them in Paris, Missouri, the county seat. I learned the commissioners had signed a letter giving support for the project.
I knew at this point action must be taken. I needed to rally support and get a meeting organized inviting all of the folks on the proposed route, neighbors nearby the route, county and state officials, and even our consolidated electric manager. It’s now just after the first of January and I needed to get a meeting set up quickly. After calling our local community center, I was informed they would not charge rent for the space. Dividing the route in thirds, I contacted a landowner on the east end of the route and another landowner to the west, with myself taking the middle, to contact as many of the landowners as possible. I sent information and the date of the meeting January 25th, to be distributed. Local newspapers were contacted to inform of the meeting, and I started having conversations with Northwest Missouri opposition—what support! They had signs and had already been working on lists of landowners to the south and east of them to begin informational meetings. I think we both were overjoyed to connect the state. Block GBE-Missouri had been getting advice and support from Block GBE-Illinois. Joining this network gave the direction I was needing to focus efforts on opposition. I invited Block GBE to our January meeting in Madison and they were happy to give a presentation and provide information for opposing such as how to contact Missouri PSC. Prior to the meeting planned in January, I gathered about a dozen neighbors to meet with County Commissioners to let them know they were not aware of GBE, they were opposing the project, and asked the commissioners to rescind their support of the project. The number in attendance made a huge difference in the attitude of the commissioners and they stated they would attend the meeting in Madison later in January, and also stated they would rescind their support of GBE.
Prior to the meeting in January, I kept working to be more informed about the project to be able to have information for landowners planning to attend. I was starting a contact list of landowners and folks interested in property rights, and emailing updates on a regular basis.
The meeting was a huge success. Close to a hundred in attendance. Russ Pisciotta and his wife, (Block Grain Belt Express-Missouri) from northwest Missouri, gave an excellent presentation. Strategies going forward were discussed and it was clear the opposition was growing as more people were getting informed and communicated with regularly by email and Facebook. Two of the County Commissioners attended the meeting, and shared they were rescinding their support of the GBE project. It was at this meeting that I was informed GBE was planning a media event in a few days in Jefferson City at the ABB plant. This event was invitation only, but since the county clerk shared it with me, I decided to go and took three other volunteers with me. Just to park, clearance was needed. At the door, I was directed to a desk to check-in. After I checked in, I was immediately swarmed by a few people who asked who I was and why was I there. I learned quickly two of them were Mark Lawlor, GBE project manager and Adhar Johnson (the nice girl from CL). Adhar threw her arms in front of me telling me to leave. I stated I was there as a stakeholder and to learn, not to give any trouble. Adhar yelled at me, stating you are a landowner and we are not ready to talk with you. Immediately, this got the attention of the plant manager. Adhar told him I should leave. I explained it looked like a lot of people were in attendance, however most were senators and representatives. He listened to GBE representatives complain about my attendance, and I said innocently, I’ve done nothing to these people. The ABB manager apologized, telling me to leave. At that point, I asked if could use the restroom before leaving. Adhar stated don’t let her. Politely, the manager said he would escort me to restroom. I was polite, as well, and as I was being escorted, I asked the manager if he did not notice their disrespect. In fact, I got the manager’s business card and followed up with a letter of my appreciation for the bathroom break and the disrespect I received.
Leaving that encounter with GBE, I was discouraged. I called John Cauthorn (past state Senator), before leaving the parking lot and reported the treatment. He asked me what I was going to do and I said, “go home.” He said no, “go to the Capitol, stop anyone who will listen to you and tell them about GBE.”
I’m thinking I’ve never done this before, I don’t know what I’m doing? It’s 10 am, sure maybe we can stop by the Capitol and see how it goes. This is when the activism kicked in gear. We went from office to office, getting either appointments or catching a rep or senator to listen to us. We were told to see office of Economic Development which we did and also see Senator Rupp who was scheduled for an appointment to the PSC in April. One of the persons with me said his son hunts with Senator Rupp, so we had our connection. Activism and Advocacy full force. I think we left the Capitol around 4 or later that day. My sister-in-law called me to ask how it was going and I said I think we need a lawyer. Since she lived in Jefferson City, she said let me check into this. Later that day, she called me with a name of an attorney, who by the way, just completed serving on PSC. The next day, a meeting was scheduled with attorney. We were just getting started.
Legislation was filed in next several weeks, and along with support of Block Grain Belt Express-Missouri, landowners were organized to make regular trips to the Capitol to promote the first House Bill which would not give the authority of eminent domain to a merchant transmission private, for-profit company.
Advice: Talk to your neighbors, relatives and friends. Ask for help. Organize an email list of contacts and follow-up with regular communication. Work on leads. People may know someone who will help, then accept any help they will give. It’s a small world, someone always knows a person with background or expertise, and there are unknown connections you will find once you start reaching out. As a point of contact, you can disseminate information to others. Use social media.
Become informed and connect with those who may have influence. In our case, Missouri Farm Bureau, and other ag organizations: Cattlemen’s, Corn Grower’s, Soybean Association, Pork and Sheep Producers. Meet with legislators. They may disagree with you, but keep them informed of your efforts.
It doesn’t matter if you have never done anything like this before. It’s your property, don’t let some company run over you.
You don’t need a background in energy, find someone who does. Be the communicator and stay in contact with those who want to help your cause. You may be asked to be interviewed. Step up. If not you—who? Reporters may edit your comments, but continue to speak out.
Focus on your constitutional rights!
Be relentless, don’t give up. It’s easy to find reasons to not get involved. But for me, if I had to live with a project crossing my family, neighbors and friends’ farms, and chose to do nothing that was not an option.
The base of my motivation has been my father saying, “work to do all you can, never give up until you know you have done everything possible.” And, my close friend who said to me, “God does not call the equipped, He equips the called”
The journey may be long, like nearly 12 years and counting, but the connections with folks along the way, is a gift. I still have a simple message from one I met early in 2014, “We will prevail!”
Find your motivation. Are you like me?—I wondered for years how did something happen without my knowledge, then complained. I would have never envisioned myself as an activist, but I could not stand by for this wrongdoing. You can’t fight all the battles. I’m passionate about my family, and want a world that is safe and secure for my grandchildren.
My passion for property rights continues to grow, not waver. At this point, it looks like we will never be done, but that only continues to motivate me. I have been fortunate to work with some brilliant people, who I can call on for help. Find your smart people, then do your work.
These are some quotes that always lift my spirits:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Mead
"Try your best, then you can let that thing go and try something else. Just be sure to finish what you start. See it all the way through, and don't give up so easily.” ― Queen Latifah
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