Another great use for previously mined land was dedicated last Friday in Raleigh County with the Bechtel Boy Scouts of America Adventure Camp.  A number of member companies have played instrumental roles in assisting the State in landing the Boy Scouts’ project.

A southern West Virginia “Friend Raising” was held for Governor Manchin and other candidates last Sunday afternoon in Logan.  The event, at the Logan Grade School, was a celebration of West Virginia’s coal miners and was sponsored by the WV Coal Forum, MTM Coalition and Citizens for Coal.  Governor Manchin has been endorsed for the U.S. Senate by the Association.

The Association and Friends of Coal are participating in the dedication ceremonies for New River Community and Technical College at Ghent, WV on Friday and Saturday.  New River has a new, expansive training facility adjacent to the Turnpike at the Ghent exit (#28). *** Presentation of State Championship trophies to the winners and runners-up in the cross-country state meet at Cabell Midland High School in Milton.  Trophies will be presented in each of the three classes. ***

The Kanawha Valley Mining Institute will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ramada Inn, South Charleston.  This monthly meeting is being sponsored by Victaulic and will have Bill Raney (WVCA) discussing “Post Election Evaluation & Outlook”.  Scholarship applications are available on the website and must be submitted to the KVMI by Thursday, December 2 – go to:  http://www.kvmi.org/user/scholarship%20application.pdf

I grew up in Wolfe County, Ky., and I am writing in regards to the New Power promises to keep Ky. proud.

As a resident of a small eastern Kentucky community, I thought it was important for the public to see the real story of coal.

I have lived in Wolfe County my entire life, and until this past year, we have never had a park. Because of coal severance money (the money Big Coal companies give back to communities), we were able to build a park. Those big coal companies help many eastern Kentucky counties by improving hospitals and roads, funding volunteer fire departments or upgrading schools, among many other improvements.