Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on Governor Arne Carlson address to appeal for cool heads at Lake Mille Lacs. Rising tensions over imminent Ojibwe spearfishing and netting prompted the governor to make a statewide three-minute address asking for forbearance. Around Mille Lacs, lakeside residents responded to Carlson with a mixture of relief and doubt.
ARNE CARLSON: This administration is also meeting with the Chippewa bands in order to reduce the number of lakes fished and to decrease the number of pounds of fish taken and to limit the impact on fishing for non-band members.
LEIF ENGER: Watching Carlson on TV, businessman Paul Moline took heart. Negotiations between the state and band had previously been denied by both sides. Now that they're talking, Moline hopes the Ojibwe will cut back their harvest and reduce friction with non-Indian sportsmen.
PAUL MOLINE: As long as you're making progress or attempting making progress, it's good. I think there would be a lot more worry up here from a lot of people if there were no talks, there were no negotiations, there was no communication. And I think the fact that there are communications and there is some talking on both sides gives one more of an optimistic view.
LEIF ENGER: Fishing guide Craig Perlberg liked Carlson's request for peace and his promise to enforce the law. Perlberg says violence would ruin his business on the lake much quicker than any gillnet could. But he doubts whether the negotiations mentioned by the governor will really bear fruit.
CRAIG PERLBERG: I feel encouraged, but along the same note, how much information you can believe. You get information from the left side, the right side. What information can you believe and take to heart?
LEIF ENGER: A pervasive sentiment around the lake is that Twin Cities media have done more to encourage violent encounters than anyone has locally. Garrison resident Sandi Jellum points to the approval of $6.5 million for law enforcement as evidence that too many people are borrowing trouble.
SANDI JELLUM: You know, isn't that a scary thing, that we have to set aside over $6 million? I mean, I work two jobs 60 hours a week just to survive. I have nothing, just to survive. And then my tax dollar's going out for stuff like this.
LEIF ENGER: Most residents said they still expect cool heads to win out this spring. Leif Enger, Mainstreet Radio.
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