Published: July 02, 2009 10:15 pm      

Our Readers Speak — July 3, 2009

Face the facts about coal use and mining



America is dependent on fossil fuels. We cannot give up coal as a source of energy. Mining has been a part of our lives for many, many years. Coal mining has raised the majority of people in West Virginia; whether it is deep mining or strip mining or mountaintop removal, it is our life. It will take many years to turn to alternative forms of energy and for people to say windmills are the answer, I say wake up!

Do you realize how many windmills would be needed to supply West Virginia alone with electricity, thousands and thousands and where would they be put? The mountaintops would have to be cleared, roads built, and power lines run to substations (clear cutting). This would take years and besides that this is not a reliable form of electricity. People complain now about power outages; what do you think is going to happen when the windmills break down and you are out of power for days at a time?

What do you think mountaintops would look like with all these windmills cluttering up the tops? This is a no-win situation and people need to work together to come up with a solution. We have to wean the nation off of fossil fuels over time; it is not going to happen overnight. Mountaintop removal is not destroying our streams; it is the abandon deep mines that are underneath. Those mines contain transformers and abandoned mine equipment that leak PCBs and toxic chemicals into water that floods these mines that leach eventually into streams; this is fact.

Mountaintop removal removes, replaces, and replants (grass, vegetation and trees). Water-holding ponds are in place to collect runoff water that is monitored regularly and treated if needed; abandoned mine water is not. There is too much outside influence feeding people with false information. I say stay home and leave us alone, we’ve had all the help that we can stand.



Stephen Tyree

Scarbro



Donate for the love of cats and dogs



The Raleigh County Animal Rescue is a great small no-kill volunteer rescue nonprofit program that helps rescue animals in need of homes. RCAR does not euthanize animals and believes that all animals should have a chance to live happy and in loving homes. They also help spay and neuter them, which is a great thing not only for the pets’ health but for the owners who cannot afford to have it done.

RCAR is in need of monetary donations, foster homes, dog and cat food, litter pans, litter, scoops, paper towels, dog and cat toys, carriers, kennels, dog houses, collars. If you find it in your heart to help them, there are two drop-off locations; one is at Stage Coach Salon in Sophia and the other at Peggy’s Video in Crab Orchard. Donations may be also mailed to: RCAR, P.O. Box 794, Coal City, WV 25823. Please help them help; they are wonderful.



Yolanda D. Edwards

Beckley