“We’ve been trying to help schools and young people in West Virginia for a long time and its one of several ways we try to do that by improving the facilities or the educational opportunities or materials they have available,” said Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.
Students Visit Boone County Mine to Celebrate Arbor Day
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Marsh Fork Elementary School - Timeline
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Ed Wiley’s granddaughter is a recent graduate of Marsh Fork Elementary. The tears streaming down his granddaughter’s face after she had to leave school feeling sick three days in a row were the catalyst to get Ed involved in an issue that, until recently, has remained unknown outside of a small part of the Appalachian coalfields.
In a deeply concerned fashion with fiery eyes Ed stated those tears didn’t lie as she told him, “Gramps, that coal plant is making us kids sick.” Ed has tried and tried again to get the Governor of West Virginia Joe Manchin to step up to the plate and act on this situation but he has met nothing but apathy and lies.
West Virginia Elementary School Pollution Prompts Grand-Dad To Walk To D.C.
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Blankenship acknowledged during a conference call the now-rescinded June 30 permit by the W.V. Department of Environment Protection (DEP). At issue was the department’s permit for mining operations near the Marsh Fork Elementary School, in Sundial, W.V. The school rests at the base of a mountain selected by Massey for ” Mountain Top Removal” (MTR) mining techniques.
Appalachia Mountains coal company plays State politics
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The situation surrounding Marsh Fork Elementary School and its close proximity to Massey Energy’s Goals Coal mining operation reach new, uglier territory Friday in Charleston when State Police and Capitol security officers forcibly removed and arrested more than a dozen people who were among a group of protesters gathered in the reception area of Gov. Joe Manchin’s office in the state Capitol building.
This is just the latest chapter in a situation surrounding Marsh Fork Elementary. And while it’s really been all about the adults on either side of the issue, the focus needs to remain on the most important part of this picture — the kids. We’re afraid that’s being lost somewhere.
You can listen to various reports, theories, studies, opinions — and everybody close to the issue seems to have one — about whether the existing school is safe or not. The fact is, there is a huge coal silo that literally casts a shadow over the school and plans are to construct another one. A pond that holds millions of gallons of sludge is also uncomfortably close to the school.
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Hey Don Blankenship - we are well aware of how you have been trying to help schools and young people.
You guys rock. This new school deal stinks of something. Why haven’t inspectors picked up on violations caused by Massey? I think i know, but it ain’t purty.
I don’t think they’ll listen though. And none of these douchebags that will be our next president have any sort of plan for this problem whatsoever. They just want the cheap MTR coal to keep flowing. Thanks for Tennessee, where it could be worse.
[...] uncovers the truth behind massey Energy’s CEO, don Blankenship’s blatant lies and public deceit.http://endmtr.com/2008/04/20/riddle-me-this/Massey watch Gristmill: The environmental news blog GristLater, pictures turned up of loathsome [...]
I agree Folk Face - “They just want the cheap MTR coal to keep flowing.” I’m liking the idea of none of the above being added to the ballot.
I’m glad you commented on this post - I was wondering if people understood where I was going with it. Blankenship claims to help schools and students but parents of Marsh Fork students have been battling Blankenship for a few years now. Just trying to get him to do the right thing.