Editor,

I would like to take a moment to thank some of our local elected officials who publicly showed support to the temporarily displaced miners of the Camp Branch Surface Mine. To the members of the Logan County Commission, Art Kirkendoll, Willie Akers, and Danny Godby; County Clerk, John Turner, and House of Delegate members, Ralph Rodigerio and Ted Ellis your support will not be forgotten.

Although everyone does not support surface mining in Logan, these jobs are very important to our local economy. Perhaps more support to the local miners could prevent out of state environmental groups from shutting down nonunion and union surface mines located here in Logan County.

To those individuals who are trying to stop mining on Blair Mountain I would like to ask you to think of the miners who fought The Battle of Blair Mountain. What would they think if they could see us now almost 86 years later? Would they not want us to work for our families and Logan County in order to keep the economy going?

It is time for all minen, union and nonunion, to stand together aD fight for their jobs. I encourage each of you to ask the public for suppot by going to your local businesses such as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants etc. and ask them to support your local surface miners and the money we spend locally.

The surface miners of Logan County are still waiting to hear from Congressman Rahall, Senator Byrd, Senator Rockefeller, Senator Earl Ray Tomblin and Govenor Joe Manchin. Remember this is still a government elected by the people for the people.

Tony Toth

Whitman