Interview with John O'Boyle, January 29, 2007

Partial Transcript: This is Dale Johnson with Eastern Kentucky PRIDE and today I'm talking to--

Segment Synopsis: Johnson introduces the interviewee and begins the interview.

Partial Transcript: Um, can I get some background on you first?

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle discusses his personal history including attending college and joining the Army. He also discusses how long he's been in Bell County, Kentucky.

Keywords: Army; Fort Poly (La.); Lincoln Memorial University (LMU); Military; Southeast Community College

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Kentucky; Vietnam War, 1961-1975.

Partial Transcript: Now, you said you worked in the surface mines for a while. What's your--

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle discusses his work history, which includes working in and for coal mines and quarries, working for the sheriff of Bell County, and working with Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE) through the judge's office.

Keywords: Coal mining; Ewing (Va.); Gravel Quarries; Judges; Kentucky; Middlesboro (Ky.); Mining; Mining supply; Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE); Quarries; Sheriffs

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Coal mines and mining.; Employment--Kentucky

Partial Transcript: But, um, when you grew up did you have all of the amenities as far as environment?

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle describes the environment of Bell County as he was growing up, as well as what utilities his family had at their house. He also discusses his grandparents' house and how they lived farther from the city.

Keywords: Coal stoves; Electricity; Environment; Growing up; Middlesboro (Ky.); Water

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Childhood; Kentucky.; Plumbing.; Sewerage.

Partial Transcript: So, in--did you say 2002 you came in with the--

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle describes his transition to working for the judge's office and working as the PRIDE coordinator for Bell County. He also discusses his job status and the status of PRIDE with a new judge being elected in Bell County.

Keywords: Bill Kelley; Grants; Irvine (Ky.); Judges; Kelley, Bill; Landfills; Middlesboro (Ky.); Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE); Solid waste; Solid waste management

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Employment--Kentucky; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Waste disposal sites

Partial Transcript: But, um, since you got in--well, let's see. I'm sure you guys must have cleaned up--

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle discusses cleanup efforts in Red Bird Mountain and Frakes, Kentucky. He describes the way contractors bid to work each project, as well as how they were able to clean up each of these areas under budget.

Keywords: Budgeting; Cleanup; Dumps; Environmental cleanup; Finances; Frakes (Ky.); Illegal dumping; Illegal dumps; Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE); Red Bird Mountain

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Litter (Trash); Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Roadside litter; Waste disposal sites

Partial Transcript: Now how did he, did--was he tryin' to bring that stuff straight up the cliff?

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle describes the way in which cleanup crews remove and transport solid waste from dump sites. He discusses several methods that were implemented in the Red Bird Mountain and Frakes dump sites.

Keywords: Cleanup; Dumps; Environmental cleanup; Frakes (Ky.); Garbage; Illegal dumping; Illegal dumps; Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE); Red Bird Mountain; Tires

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Litter (Trash); Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Roadside litter; Waste disposal sites

Partial Transcript: Well, I've heard some, uh, funny stories about some of those surveillance tapes they've gotten.

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle describes an anecdote of catching a group of people who were going to dump a large amount of trash and how he dealt with them.

Keywords: Dumps; Enforcement; Garbage; Illegal dumping; Illegal dumps; Red Bird Mountain; Transfer stations

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Environmental law.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Litter (Trash); Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Roadside litter; Waste disposal sites

Partial Transcript: But we, we've made a, a whole lot of progress with our county.

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle discusses what he thinks will make the most difference in regard to stopping people dumping their trash in the area. His solution revolves around better early education to stop the problem early.

Keywords: Children; Cleanup; Dumps; Education; Environmental cleanup; Garbage; Illegal dumping; Illegal dumps; Kids; Landfills

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Environmental education.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Litter (Trash); Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Roadside litter; Waste disposal sites

Partial Transcript: How about, like sewer projects?

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle discusses the progress that PRIDE has made in regard to sewer and septic issues in the area. He describes sewer extension projects in Middlesboro and Pineville, Ky, as well as how several septic tanks had been installed in the county.

Keywords: Health department; Middlesboro (Ky.); Pineville (Ky.); Septic; Septic systems; Septic tanks; Sewer extensions; Sewers

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Plumbing.; Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Sewerage.

Partial Transcript: But, uh, yeah they're, they're making a lot of strides.

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle describes the contrast between Kentucky and PRIDE's progress with the issues that are plaguing neighboring states in regard to pollution. He also discusses how he thinks that PRIDE should be a national project in order to clean up every state in the same way it's working in Kentucky.

Keywords: Bell County (Ky.); Claiborne County (Tenn.); Cleanup; Congressman Hal Rogers; Environmental cleanup; Expansion; Hal Rogers; Lakes; Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE); Rogers, Hal; Solid waste; Solid waste disposal; Tennessee; West Virginia

Subjects: Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Litter (Trash); Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Roadside litter

Partial Transcript: Um, well, um, now is there--can, can you think of anything else involving PRIDE that you--

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle describes how he thinks water quality has been improving in the area. He also discusses an environmental disaster that occurred with the Middlesboro Tannery.

Keywords: Environment; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Environmental cleanup; Environmental disasters; Middlesboro Tannery; Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE); Tanning; Water

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Pollution.; United States. Environmental Protection Agency.; Water quality.

Partial Transcript: Well, I appreciate it. I, uh, I don't want to keep you too long.

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle discusses the benefits of working with children in regard to environmental cleanup. He also discusses the work that local school groups do to help clean up the county.

Keywords: Children; Education; Environment; Environmental cleanup; Garbage; Kids; Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE)

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Environmental education.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Litter (Trash); Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Roadside litter

Partial Transcript: I've heard some parents complain because they find things--

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle discusses the issues surrounding drugs in the area, specifically how it pertains to cleaning up litter. He describes the dangers that are involved in cleaning up these areas and who he can and cannot send to work in areas that are likely to contain drug paraphernalia.

Keywords: Children; Cleanup; Drugs; Dumping; Environmental cleanup; Garbage; Illegal dumping; Kids; Prisons; Safety; Unsafe; Volunteering

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Drugs.; Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Litter (Trash); Pollution.; Refuse and refuse disposal.; Roadside litter; Volunteers; Waste disposal sites

Partial Transcript: Well, uh, keep up the good work.

Segment Synopsis: O'Boyle discusses Bell County's transition to a new county judge after the most recent election. He discusses how the new judge feels about continuing the PRIDE program. He also describes the difficulties of transitioning to a new team working in the judge's office.

Keywords: Elections; Employment; Environmental cleanup; Judges; Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE); Solid waste

Subjects: Bell County (Ky.); Environmental protection; Environmentalism; Kentucky.; Politicians--Kentucky; Politics and government

Partial Transcript: I wanted to show you this 'cause I--legally I cannot walk out of here with a recording of you unless--

Segment Synopsis: Johnson closes the interview and discusses the impact of the interview with O'Boyle.