Manchin, MSHA didn’t help injured miner

Something does stink in West Virginia; it’s the politicians teaming up with coal lobbyists to keep hardworking, injured coal miners from getting what they deserve.

I understand everything Mr. Arrington said; my husband was injured working for Peabody coal in 2004. He was also given the bums shuffle. His accident wasn’t even reported to MSHA. We got no help from anyone, except the rank-and-file miners he worked with. I researched MSHA’s Web site, and I found out my husband’s injury wasn’t even reported. We contacted MSHA; they in turn contacted Peabody, who denied there was an injury.

My husband did receive two checks from Acordia before his benefits were cut off. They now say there was no injury; before they said it was an added injury. We had to send paperwork to MSHA to prove they were lying.

My husband and our family suffered because we couldn’t pay our bills and put food on our table. If not for my small paycheck, my husband would have returned to work and risked being paralyzed from the neck down. We’ve tried the administrative law judge and won, but still no check or treatment.

Because Gov. Manchin and the legislature changed the laws so the coal companies don’t have to pay injured miners while waiting the coal company’s appeal. Because the law was changed, his case was appealed to the review board (three lawyers, no doctors), which ruled against him.

Our attorney appealed to the Supreme Court in November 2006; we’re still waiting.

I tried to speak to Gov. Manchin but was told, “He won’t meet with you over this but you can speak to one of his aides.” I might as well have talked to a wall for all the help we got.

Don’t be fooled when Manchin flashes that fake smile and says he’s for the coal miners. He’s for the coal companies, not for the miners and the communities.

Mr. Arrington is right; next election let’s clean all the old cronies out and start with new people who haven’t made a career out of being a shyster politician.



Patty G. Sebok

Seth

Thieves shouldn’t rob from kids of community

I am writing this on behalf of the Western Greenbrier Cavaliers, the pee-wee football team of Western Greenbrier County.

On Tuesday night our concession stand was broken into but the only things that were taken were all our candy and nacho chips. The total value was approximately $200.

Another time our field was vandalized with spray paint. So, on behalf of our parents and players, I would just like to say “Thanks” to these individuals for making us have to work harder to raise even more money to cover this deficit.

Not only do we have to raise money for new uniforms and insurance, now we have to cover this debt too. To whoever did this, I would just say this — if all you wanted was candy and nachos — maybe you should consider getting a job and not robbing the children of this community. They don’t deserve the ramifications of your actions.



Denise M. Bevins

Rainelle