In this late December, 2023, Podcast Episode 30, Deborah and Ken break from their chronological narrative in order to recognize and celebrate the 45th anniversary of the actual birth of the Warren County environmental justice movement. They follow the extraordinary events that take place in Warren County in late December, 1978, and early 1979, after citizens learn the Hunt Administration plans to bury the roadsides PCBs in Warren County, regardless of their public sentiment.
In this 45th anniversary episode, Ken and Deborah follow in detail how Warren County Citizens Concerned About PCBs responded to the state’s announcement; informed themselves and each other; on the issues; formed an unlikely, multi-racial coalition of citizens who opposed the proposed PCB landfill; affirmed their freedom to determine themselves and their county through the expression of their public sentiments; exposed and stopped a multi-state chemical dump plan for the county; got nearly a 1,000 citizens to an EPA public hearing, with coverage by local, state, and national media, and at breakneck speed, changed the course of Warren County’s environmental justice history — all in two week’s time,
After they describe the grassroots uprising, Ken and Deborah then return to the chronological narrative that their listeners have been following — to late December, 1979, after Ken has sent his PCB analysis to the gubernatorial candidates (Episode 29) and is waiting for their response.
1979 has been a long, hard year. Deborah joins her sister, Victoria, and they leave to spend Christmas in Columbus, Ohio with their family. Ken stays at the cabin, reflects on the year that has past and considers what lies ahead, and writes two poems that he shares with their podcast listeners. (Click transcript above for the text of these poems.)
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.