A few weeks ago, Jack Spadaro called the OVEC office to let us know that, for the sake of his health, he was retiring. He once again extended his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has spoken out of his behalf. He is truly awed and humbled by all the support he got from OVEC members and people around across the country. Dont worry; we will still have Jack on our side as he looks forward to volunteering in our work.

From the Charleston Gazette, Oct. 9, 2004:

"Longtime federal mine inspector and engineer Jack Spadaro has settled his fight with the Bush administration over his demotion at the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration.

"I retired," Spadaro said. "Ive been fighting with this administration for four years, and I just didnt want to fight with this administration anymore."

"Spadaro had been appealing his demotion and forced relocation to the governments Merit Systems Protection Board.

"I just felt it was taking too long to do the appeal," Spadaro said. "I didnt want to spend the time in Pittsburgh while I made the appeal."

"Spadaro said that, under the settlement, he dropped his appeal of MSHAs action against him. The agency dropped its personnel action, he said. MSHA also restored a reduction in Spadaros pay grade, which would have cut his retirement pay, he said."

Jack had also criticized MSHA for its handling of an investigation into the Oct. 2000 Massey Energy coal sludge impoundment disaster.