OVEC Action Alert - October 11, 2004

October 23: Help Everyone Be "Forever Wild"

We hope you will join us to see one of America's most unique folksingers. Backcountry traveler, Walkin' Jim Stoltz will bring his moving multi-media show, "Forever Wild," to the  LaBelle Theatre, 311 D St., South Charleston from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23. The photography, stories, and music make this one-of-a-kind concert an inspiring journey into our nation’s last wilderness areas.

Jack Spadaro Wins Jenco Foundation Award, Retires

Jack Spadaro sends his heartfelt thanks to all of you who spoke out on his behalf. Your outpouring of support really bolstered his sprites in his fight against corruption within the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Jack has decided to retire and settle his case with the MSHA. See: Jack Spadaro settles fight with MSHA, retires.  Don't worry--we will still have Jack on our side, as he looks forward to volunteering with citizen groups.

 

Your support also led to Jack's winning the Jenco Foundation's 2004 Jenco Award! Jack made his acceptance speech for the award on Oct. 2, and he mentioned all the incredible support he got from the grassroots. Congratulations, Jack!

 

From a press release about the award:

The directors of the Father Lawrence Martin Jenco Foundation announce the winners of the Third Annual Community Service Awards to individuals in Appalachian Ohio and West Virginia who have performed noteworthy community service in the Appalachian region. The announcement, made at the main stage of the Paul Bunyan Festival held on the Hocking College campus in Nelsonville , Ohio , recognizes several individuals from Appalachian Ohio and West Virginia .

 

The 2004 Jenco Award winner is Jack Spadaro of Hamlin , WV for his efforts at improving mine safety practices in West Virginia and Kentucky . Jack Spadaro is recognized for his personal commitment to fight for the health and safety of people living and working in mining regions. Spadaro fearlessly and steadfastly resisted the Bush Administration’s attempts to discredit him and whitewash his report on the Martin County, Kentucky mine wash dam break in October 11, 2000 that dumped 306 million tons of toxic sludge into 100 miles of streams. Spadaro and his research team found that the Mine Safety and Health Administration did not recommend improvements to the dam after a similar spill in 1994. Spadaro spoke out publicly against the government’s attempt to cover-up responsibility for the spill. He was personally harassed and fired from his job that he held for 25 years, but continues to speak out about the hazards and need for more safety measures, control and oversight of the mining industry’s use of mine wash dams.

 

For information on Father Jenco, see the bottom of this e-mail.

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October 13 to 30: Early voting in person at the Clerk of the County Commission (County Clerk), or in some counties, the Clerk of the Circuit Court (Circuit Clerk). Either way, the location will be in or near the County Courthouse. Vote! Democracy Matters! Vote! Dates you can vote early, at the county courthouse, are October 13 - 15, 18 - 22, 25 - 30.

 

Please help OVEC's Get Out the Vote Work. Call Scott at 304-522-0246 for more information and to volunteer.

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More Events

Be sure to check the OVEC Events Calendar webpage for upcoming events, including the Oct. 19 "Declare Your Independence From Dirty Energy Day," the Oct. 21 and 22 Earth & Sky radio shows on mountaintop removal and the Oct. 27 film on mountaintop removal at Virginia Tech.  

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Father Lawrence Martin Jenco 

Lawrence Martin Jenco was born November 27, 1934 , and grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Joliet , Ill. After studying at St. Joseph 's Seminary in the United States and the Pontifical University in Rome , he was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1959. Jenco joined a small religious community called The Servants of Mary (O.S.M.).  His ministry took him to many different countries where he worked among the oppressed of the world, including Australian aborigine alcoholics, California migrant workers, Indian lepers, and Cambodian refugees.

           

Jenco was serving as director of Catholic Relief Services in Beirut , Lebanon , when he was kidnapped by Shiite Muslim extremists on January 8, 1985 . Two months later, AP correspondent Terry Anderson was also kidnapped and held at the same undisclosed location as Jenco. When Anderson learned that a priest was being held captive nearby, he asked to see him. The bearded, white-haired Father Jenco heard Anderson 's confession—the first in 25 years— which to Anderson represented "my first formal step back to the church." Later, Jenco and Anderson shared a cell where they spoke often of their spiritual odysseys and of the role of the church in ministering to the poor and underprivileged.

           

Jenco was released after 19 months in captivity, while Anderson was destined to remain imprisoned about five years longer, until 1991.  But as Anderson later told a radio interviewer, his time spent with the priest in the early years of captivity was instrumental in helping "build a structure I could hold onto" in the years to follow.

           

Once freed, Jenco resumed his ministry by serving as chaplain at the University of Southern California , providing outreach programs to the Hispanic community. He spoke often of his experiences as a hostage and emphasized the need to forgive. He and Anderson remained friends until Jenco's death from cancer in 1996.

           

Anderson calls Jenco "a wonderful personal example. . .the closest thing to a saint I have ever met." In June 2001, Anderson honored his friend through the establishment of the Father Lawrence Martin Jenco Foundation and the creation of an annual Jenco Award in his memory.