What do you like to do for fun around here?
Time once again for an interview. This time, we talk with someone many of you know as darqmatr here on iBrattleboro. Join us as we discuss science, nuclear power, dating, and socks.
Name: John Thomas
Birthday: April 8th (Aries)
What are some of your earliest memories of Brattleboro?
I moved here in July 2002 from Chicago. Coming over from Bennington, I thought to myself, " a guy could fall in love with this place." Once in Brattleboro, I found the people really nice and was impressed with an incident I saw at the Post Office.
I was waiting in line and watched the postal worker go out of his way to take care of a homeless woman. But I'm not new to Vermont. I went to H.S. for a couple years in Montpelier when the hippie thing was new. Years later I returned to finish my B.A. at Vermont College, in Literature/Writing. Prior to returning this last time, I was doing contract training work in the nuclear industry and living downtown Chicago. After the 911 event things dried up so I took a permanent position with VY.
What do you like to do for fun around here?
In the summer I mountain bike, rollerblade, or hike local trails. I also take a lot of weekend trips, particularly to NYC to rollerblade in Central Park, hang with friends. In the winter I snowboard, hit Open Mike at the Mole's Eye, and spend a lot of time just goofing off.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a scientist. Or an inventor.
I always find it amazing that kids often know exactly what they want to do, at an early age. How would you describe your education, especially in the sciences?
H.S. was four years of math and science. After H.S. the Viet Nam draft loomed over me. Not wanting to shoot people, I joined the Navy and got accepted into the Nuclear Power program. Went through their intensive training--about two years, 40 hrs/wk, and studied nuclear engineering, chemistry, physics type stuff. Spent a couple years on a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser. Which sucks when you're twenty years old, floating in the ocean, and trying to figure out how you can jump ship and change your identity. Later, went back to college and majored in Anthropology, switched in my junior year to Literature/Writing.
What led you to working with nuclear energy?
After the Navy, I spent six months in Montana (where I was living prior to enlisting) and I realized you couldn't eat the mountains. Not wanting to mend fences and drive a school bus to feed a family, I jumped into commercial nukes. Did a couple startups in the 80's when things were going good. A breeder reactor on the Hanford reservation in Washington, later a nuke in Kansas for eight years. Went from being an Instrumentation & Controls technician into the training aspect about five years ago.
Tell us a bit about your current job...
I'm one of two Instrumentation & Controls instructors at VY. We have thirteen technicians that I'm responsible for. These guys work on all the instrumentation controls and safety systems. They're pretty smart to begin with, so much of my work involves keeping them abreast of issues at other plants (avoiding problems) and new topics, such as all the new security upgrades that went into effect after 911.
Is it rewarding?
I like it very much. But my passion is with graphic art, webdesign, and writing.
What do you feel are some of the biggest misconceptions about Vermont Yankee?
Over the years, the industry has been lax about educating the public. And allowing them to have a say-so in certain aspects. But for many years, the eco-mindset wasn't what it is today. And most people didn't care about how energy was made. As long as the lights came on. I don't think there's any one big misconception. Except maybe the corporate "conspiracy" issues floating around. I mean, VY is people. Of various opinions and viewpoints. Many of my friends would like to see changes take place on the global scale towards green sustainable energy. But things have got to be in place before that happens. Forcing it early will cause a lot of hardship on people who are heavily dependent on the current situation. I think it's all about "careful" change, and having a clear vision of where we want to go. The vision is important, that's how we put someone on the moon. But it also takes work. And you need people to create the products we need to pull it off.
So what should we think if we hear the alarm go off at a time other than the monthly test?
The monthly test gives me the willy's. It reminds me of a scene from the Time Machine. I wish they'd quit blowing the damn thing. It only scares people. And disrupts the natural environment. Once a year is enough. Because it is used for civil preparedness type stuff, as well. But... if the sirens went off unplanned, I'd get a coded signal on my pager. Then I'd walk to the car, drive normally to the training building on Old Ferry road. And help out with what needed to be done. I don't expect this to happen, but it's a precaution, just the same. On a side note, most of the plant operators and many of the maintenance technicians are ex-Navy nukes. On a ship, or submarine, there is no Evac plan. You take control of the situation, because there is no place to go. And the best plan, is to not let it happen in the first place. More on this if interest warrants...
Do the anti-nuke activists make any good points?
Of course. I respect their interest and concern. And they are citizens in a democracy. I have the same concern, as well, about ensuring VY operates safely and efficiently. CAN members Derrik Jordan and Emily Peyton are friends of mine and took part in the Energy Group meetings this past year at the Rivergarden (see iBrattleboro local links.) We don't see eye-to-eye on everything. In the same way I don't understand Art/Music like they do (though the issue is of different magnitude.) But the group proved that people could sit down at the same table as friends. And try to understand each other. And work towards a mutual solution.
What would you do if they closed the plant here?
I'd take a year off. Probably spend it on Tahiti. Learn to surf. And watch every sunset like it was religion. Then I'd find some community in the southwest (warm and sunny,) and teach science at a private school. I'd also be rollerblading about 300 days/year--because that's what I really like to do.
You've had experience with other nuclear plants shutting down. What happened there?
I was at the Zion station (Illinois) when it shutdown permanently for financial reasons. The workforce at the plant drops down to about fifty people--mostly security and maintenance techs. People sell their homes. Give up apartments. Some people integrate into the community, but most leave the area for technical (or nuclear) jobs elsewhere. Many marginal businesses in town close, making it easy for big-boxes to move in. Town services that were subsidized by the previous tax base from the plant, are cut substantially. This includes Fire, City, Library, and many social services. It affects everything, banks, car washes, bowling alleys, and movie theatres. Don't forget the United Way contributions. Mostly it depends on how well a community is diversified with other industries. But house prices drop, for sure. And it can be really tough to recover. Particularly when the economy is soft. I'm not saying you shouldn't shut a nuke down, only that there are things to consider before it happens. The community should make choices that reflect what the citizens want, then live with the consequences.
Is it all or nothing? Can our region avoid any of the problems that happened in Illinois?
It takes time to make the transition to the "ideal." You won't find a steel mill operating from wind/solar panels. Subaru's (and BMW's) require steel. As well as bicycles, snowshoes, and all the other high-tech gear we enjoy. From a pragmatic standpoint, it makes sense to use what you have to get where you want to go. You need science (with Art) to make the world something to give to our children. And we have to work together. Because, sooner or later, we're going to have to anyway--when oil runs out. So why not today?
I've begun to wonder if, maybe, there is a reason oil is in the earth. (I know what would happen if I drained the oil from the car.) Growing up, we used to think that "the future" was the year 2000. Now that it has passed, how do we begin thinking about the future again?
The future is great, but not without sorrow. I think good things come to an end, so more good will come our way. And I think I'll be learning and exploring for a very long time...
How's the dating scene around Brattleboro?
Well, I've had a lot of time to post rumors on low-flying aircraft from the direction of VY, the Parking Garage hierarchy, and some other wacko stuff. I made the "Glimmer" website as a spoof on Match.com to keep me entertained. And since I don't currently have serious romance in my life, I'm working on a romance story called, "Joline." (see http://www.darqmatr.net ) But hey, I'm happy. And have many friends here. And I like the intellectual discussion that takes place on iBrattleboro.
If you could give Brattleboro anything, what would you present?
Probably a smile :)
Are there any questions you'd like to answer that no one ever asks you?
Hmm... why do you mix your socks?
Thanks for some taking time with iBrattleboro!
Thanks, Chris/Lise. I really like what you've done.
Thank YOU. It's nothing without everyone's contributions.