by Dave Peyton, Charleston Daily Mail, April 30, 2007

Massey Energy, which mines millions of tons of coal in West Virginia, announced that it would not have a summer picnic for its employees this year.

In recent years, the party has been held in Logan. Prior to that, it was held in Charleston before CEO Don Blankenship got miffed by Charleston folks who threatened to sue because Massey’s picnic was held on public property and blocked public streets.

A Massey official said economic factors were the reason the picnic was cancelled. Then, last Thursday, Massey announced that its first-quarter earnings increased nearly fivefold to $32.6 million.

Add to that the fact that Blankenship made nearly $27 million in 2006 and the canceling of the picnic becomes somewhat puzzling.

All that’s left to say is Don Blankenship giveth and Don Blankenship taketh away.