Huggers of babies should oppose MTR



It’s no secret in West Virginia that our politicians have bowed down to “King Coal” for many generations. Our beloved state has a well-documented history of selling out mountains, streams and workers for coal companies and out-of-state corporate interests.

Some say that poverty and a general disregard for the land and people of Appalachia have set the stage for corrupt government officials — the disappearance of accountability, erosion of the public process and the loss of transparency in government. That coalfield residents don’t have the influence to stand up to the powerful coal industry.

But it may be time for a change. New research is shedding light on a link between birth defects and mountaintop removal. The study found six different health problems that occur more frequently in areas where there are mountaintop removal mines. This research confirms what residents of the coalfields intimately know from the prevalence of cancer and health abnormalities they experience in their communities.

There is a growing hope that this light will sway the hearts of West Virginia leaders who value life. That the health and safety of West Virginians is more important than profit of a mega-mining corporation from India that has its sights on Fayette County’s coal.

So, is this new research a game changer for our elected officials? Can they justify supporting this mining practice knowing the future health of their family and loved ones is in their hands?

Can they look in the mirror and sleep at night knowing they are complicit to such harmful practices that could be avoided?

It’s time for opposition to MTR to not just come from “tree huggers” protesting on behalf of the environment but also from huggers of babies who want a healthy future for our children — time to rethink what it means to be a “Friend of Coal.”

It’s time for a united voice from Mountaineers against the destruction of all we love. And time for elected officials to take a stand for West Virginians’ health and safety and begin to break the hold that coal has on our state.



Sally J. Hurst

Fayetteville



Sohonage belittled town unnecessarily



How very unhappy I was to see the article on the front page of Sunday’s paper about Mount Hope. I’m not sure what Mr. Sohonage’s intentions were, but he made it sound as if the whole town is a slum and that we’re all ignorant, extremely poor people. If you read the article and didn’t know anything about the town, I’m sure you’d never want to set foot in it.

I am a lifelong resident of Mount Hope and love this little community. It may not be the richest in the area monetarily, but it is rich in friendly, good-hearted people always willing to help. And this “horrendous” community (using his words) and Mount Hope schools have turned out doctors, lawyers, nurses, ministers, bankers, a pro-football player, teachers, business owners, engineers and the list goes on.

I think helping the children in the community is admirable, but Mr. Sohonage could have told his story in a positive light. Instead, he chose to belittle the town and its people, and there’s just no excuse for that.



Janet L. Miller

Mount Hope



State PSC should be elected, not appointed



Can the PSC?

Well, they did it again; they let the garbage service add a surcharge for fuel on our bills. That is two this year. I’m writing this letter because gas prices have fallen about 40 cents per gallon. Why would the garbage companies need this when prices are dropping? This is another example why the PSC should be elected instead of appointed.



Gary B. McDonald

Beaver