As I began to prepare for my formal interviews, I’ve been thinking about interviewing either Ms.Lisa Tracy from FOTC or any other representative. I would like to ask questions such as:
1) How and when did the original mile markers get in place?
2) Why do they only cover half of the trail?
3) What role does FOTC play in the placement of mile markers?
I’m also thinking about interviewing COL Jay Williams from VMI physical plant since he is incharge of the maintenance of the trail. I would like to ask him questions like:
1) What are the appropriate steps in placing the mile markers?
2) Who decides this?
3) Are they willing to take public suggestions regaurding placement and distance for the mile markers? (From runners)
I plan to use both of these formal interviews along with interviews from runners as supporting evidence as to why mile markers are a necessity.
Kerisha, These are all valid questions for your interviews, but I’m wondering if some of these logistical questions might be better answered by fact-checking emails before sitting down for an in-depth profile interview with Lisa Tracy or a VMI rep. If you know some of the logistics ahead of time, and you can email both COL Williams and Aaron Groah in Physical Plant for those answers, it might help you to spend your formal interview time asking deeper questions, and getting deeper answers about future commitments and connections to the trail for both VMI and the FOCT community. For example, where do the mile parkers fall in the larger scope of plans for how the trail serves both runners, hikers, and people with historic interest? Who will get priority and why? How does a community of citizens interested in general conservation of a nature trail find consensus? Food for thought.
Once you’ve decided on your final script for your two interviews, and have had time to reflect on how the interview went, that will be perfect material for your final field work post that I had mentioned, due Nov 8 on Canvas: https://vmi.instructure.com/courses/4858/assignments/28284
I look forward to hearing what you discover. MAJ Hodde