Comments on: Voices from the Mountains: Maria Gunnoe

By: Bruce Jackson

Bruce Jackson — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:55:38 +0000

I cannot believe the callous indifference that people have shown you by suggesting that you move. I have signed many petitions against MTR; but after seeing you on TV tonight I was disgustipated with the absolute greed of Big Coal and their complete disregard for the people whose lives (and land) they have ruined with MTR. Not to mention the pollution they have wrought on the properties surrounding their coal mines.

I have a suggestion for future visits to the authorities, like say the Governor for instance. What you should do is bottle the local water. Have these bottles sealed and notorized by the local notary public attesting to the genuine nature of the contents. That way they can’t say that you “made that water up” (people are suspicious nowadays). Then you ask the person involved: “Would you like to partake of a drink of Bob White Blackwater?” Their reaction to that question should be very interesting. You might even shake the bottle up to get the sediments swirling before pouring it out into a glass that you just happened to bring along.

I really think that Big Coal OWES everyone whose land they have destroyed an equal portion of land somewhere else in their state. Big Coal also needs to take responsibility for payment of ALL MTR related medical bills due to their malfeasance. I think MTR is an obscene rape of the land that needs to be banned.

I also think that only God Almighty is capable of restoring the lands that have been destroyed to their former glory. You, your family and neighbors are in my prayers.

By: Trish Ciaffone

Trish Ciaffone — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:36:35 +0000

It amazes me to hear people say “if you don’t like it, you can move” to anyone. This kind of response is made by narrow minded people. The Gunnoe family are citizens of this country, and have the same rights as all Americans, including YOU, Kayla! If the miners would stop letting the companies brain wash them with propaganda and fear mongering, they might see that this kind of destructive mining has actually COST them jobs. Stop letting corporate greed turn you against your own neighbors. This family and others like them have suffered horribly with the loss of their way of life, their property value, and even a beloved pet that was taken by the flooding. Open your eyes and see how you and your family are just being used by this greedy mining company and stand up to them. If they were forced to resume underground mining, not only would jobs be saved, jobs would be created. Well. more accurately, they would have to open the jobs they have gotten rid of by blowing up the mountains instead of tunneling into them. These greedy people are using you. When the profit is gone, they will be, too. Then all you will have left is a ruined, worthless environment and nowhere to go.
We need to focus on renewable energy sources and conservation before all the mountains are destroyed by this barbaric industry.

By: adam slone

adam slone — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:20:24 +0000

“People ask me why we donâ€™t move. In order to move you must have money. Our place is worthless. Anyone would be crazy to buy a wasteland.

I cannot transport anything out. I have no way to get anything I have out of my home other than by carrying it 500 yards. I am being forced out of my home…”

By: Greg Bender

Greg Bender — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:16:39 +0000

Kayla Perry obviously did not read the article. Maria cannot move because her property has become worthless due to the mining. Sounds like she would move if she could, but it’s not possible.

Kayla wants her family to keep their jobs at the expense of the people whose entire lives are destroyed by this practice. The moral choice should be clear, but money has destroyed Kayla’s conscience.

By: kayla perry

kayla perry — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:48:31 +0000

if you dont like it move..their are other people in wv that make a living my their family workin in the mines