This article originally published by The Charleston Gazette

June 7, 2007

Terry Steele

Interests of the working man: Citizen group working to save W.Va.

Is the “economic cornerstone” of West Virginia under attack, or are its citizens under attack?

In a May 16 commentary, we noticed two strange bedfellows — Steve Roberts and Kenny Perdue, writing together in an all-out attack on the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition. At first glance we wondered what in the world would these two have in common, but after reading a few lines, it became quite clear. One is a user and the other seems to not have enough sense to know that he is being used. Any time the Chamber of Commerce becomes involved in an issue or backs an issue, you can bet it does not have the interests of the working man in mind.

As citizens of Southern West Virginia, and as people who have worked and made their living working in the underground mining industry, we take issue with Mr. Roberts and Mr. Perdue. Mountaintop removal does not create jobs. It costs jobs. It rapes and completely devastates the mountains, streams and communities.

Certain organizations always want the union on their side — when it benefits their cause. These groups never seem to be around when the union is fighting for safety issues, health benefits or pensions.

Mr. Roberts and Mr. Perdue don’t seem to understand that what the Ohio Valley Environmental Council is asking the courts to do is to enforce the law. The Clean Water Act that was passed by Congress was supposed to protect streams and rivers, thus protecting citizens who live where mining is taking place. Our homeplaces are being destroyed. Not only for our lifetime, but for generations to follow. We are working to end mountaintop removal because we are working to protect our families, our homes, our water and our mountains.

If coal is such an “economic cornerstone,” why are we consistently one of the poorest states in the nation? Why are the coal counties consistently among the poorest counties in the state? Go to McDowell County, to Keystone, Kimball, Welch or Gary Hollow, and look at what out-of-state coal barons have wrought. Mr. Perdue and Mr. Roberts are like the politicians in the 1940s and ’50s who told the people of McDowell they were part of the billion-dollar coalfields.

The only difference between McDowell and other counties, such as Mingo, Logan and Boone, is the destruction is greater. In Mingo, Boone and Logan, not only will the jobs be gone, but also our homeplaces, our precious water and our beautiful mountains. Most of the money made will be whisked out of state, and our children will be left with bleak futures.

We are opposed to mine owners’ breaking the law and carelessly putting our miners and our families in danger for the sake of their own personal gain. We need to stand up and demand good paying jobs, clean water, safe homes and an end to illegal mining.

Steele, of Mingo County, is a member of the United Mine Workers of America (Local 1440) and the Ohio Valley Environmental Council. This commentary was also signed by OVEC and UMW members Jim Foster (Local 1503), Charles Branham (Local 9603), Charles Nelson (Local 6608) and Paul Nelson (Local 7086).