We have heard a lot about Dallas and future jobs.        But what of the real jobs—agricultural and manufacturing—that already exist in rural Northeast Texas? What about our way of life?

Isn’t that worth preserving and protecting?  

Marvin Nichols poses a real and immediate threat. Not only does it devastate family farms, weaken existing North American manufacturing jobs and eliminate important renewable resources—but it divides Texas in to two distinctly different realms: urban vs. rural.  

I think there is a better way and a solution that unites us rather than divides us. Marvin Nichols is not the answer...

Barney Krebs, United Steelworkers, President, Local 1148

Our important agricultural resources and our family’s way of life could be washed away by the designation of the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. For generations my family has respected the land and worked hard to work the earth to sustain us. We believe it’s an honest living and one we hope to pass along to our children and our grandchildren. The designation of Marvin Nichols could eliminate our important legacy and through imminent domain take from us our land, our livelihood and our way of life. 

Bubba Frost., Cass County, Texas

The paper industry relies greatly on Texas farm families—harvesting, replanting and nurturing one of our region’s most important renewable resources. For generations, rural Northeast Texans have practiced sustainable forestry and allowed the industry and their families to grow together. Those best management practices and an important economic engine are at risk if Marvin Nichols is designated as a unique reservoir site. 

Bart Rash, Forester, Texarkana, Texas

In my job, I see hundreds of Ark-La-Tex truckers whose livelihoods depend on the forest and paper products industry. Marvin Nichols threatens their ability to thrive and prosper. 

Ocie Wyse, Texarkana,Texas

As a Cass County native, a board member for the Atlanta United Way, a representative for the Pulp & Paper workers’ Resource Council and an employee at International Paper’s Texarkana Mill I worry greatly about the potential harmful effects of the Marvin Nichols reservoir on our mill, my job and the important employee donation’s to area United Way agencies that enable our non-profits to provide needed services to the less fortunate in our community. 

Jean Cothren, Queen City, Texas

For 29  years I have grown as a worker, an individual and an employee at International Paper. I have learned important skills as an electrician for our world-class paper manufacturing facility. And, I have embraced leadership roles that enabled me to make important contributions in our community.  

As chairperson of our employee’s United Way committee, I watched in awe as my teammates pledged more than $118,000 to help strengthen our communities—Atlanta, Texarkana, Queen City, Liberty Eylau, Maud, Redwater and Linden. Our company matched .60 for every $1 donated.  

In fact, my teammates have generated nearly $3 million since the mid-1980s. Not only does the Marvin Nichols reservoir designation threaten my job but it also has the potential to negatively affect those important United Way contributions. I am certain the need won’t go away.

Betty Cooley, Queen City, Texas

Each year we help contribute to a cause near and dear to our hearts—preventing birth defects. Through our work at International Paper we help generate more than $10,000 annually to March of Dimes. Because Marvin Nichols threatens our jobs it has potentially to negatively impact our important contributions. 

Donna Shipp, Karen Banks, Crystal Lamb, Robin Christen, Thelma Howard, Diane Wiley, Ann Seale, Teena Rowe, Marsha Moore

My late husband and I forged a strong partnership during our years of marriage and we're proud of the family we raised and the land we worked so hard to purchase. Portions of our nearly 2,000 acres provide a seasonal retreat for Texans in Dallas and Denton who lease the property for hunting! But more importantly, my property-- rich in timber and cattle--could be lost forever to the proposed Marvin Nichols reservoir and allow me no legacy to leave my children and grandchildren.

 Bessie Nealth Health, Douglassville, Texas:

My family started growing timber after WWII  after cotton, corn and cattle alone could no longer provide a living.  They put into place BMPs (Best Management Practices) before conservation was commonplace.  As a result, my uncles Tod and Paul McWhorter were named Outstanding Tree Farmers for the state of Texas twice.  My late husband, Fran D. Clements, and I learned from them and in 1990 became Outstanding Tree Farmers also.  But is our heritage of five generations of living on and caring for the same land to be lost because the general public in the Dallas metroplex could care less about conservation and has no concept of land heritage?  We are dependent upon our timber income and we are dependent upon International Paper.  International Paper is dependent upon water from the Sulphur River.  The Marvin Nichols Reservoir is not Region C’s answer to its water problems, but it would create a major economic problem for the northeastern Texas area when thousands of acres are taken out of production by EMINENT DOMAIN to be used for wildlife mitigation land.

Nancy M. Clements, Douglassville, TX.

For more than 25 years, I have called Cass County home. I work as a mechanic—more than 30+ years service—at International Paper. My work in our facility’s pulp mill is highly specialized.  My hope--and I am certain my 800+ teammates would agree--is that the mill is here for us to complete our careers and provide opportunity for our children and grandchildren. 

Marvin Nichols reservoir is the wrong choice for Texans and the thousands of women and men employed in a forest and paper products jobs. 

Floyd ‘Bud’ Tilbery, Queen City, Texas