Dear Editor,

As a resident of Pocahontas County, to whom coal mining and mineral rights feel like distant things I learned about in West Virginia history class in eighth grade, moving to Whitesburg, Kentucky, in the heart of the Eastern Kentucky coalfields, has been quite a shock.  First of all, the devastation that mountain-top removal coal mining has had on the landscape and communities of this region brought tears to my eyes.

But secondly, and most importantly, the coal and gas industries in Southeastern Kentucky have wreaked havoc on the water supply.  I enjoy swimming in the Greenbrier River in the summer, but I would never dream of swimming in the Kentucky River that runs through Whitesburg.  There are so many "boil water advisories" and instances of chemical run-off from the coal and gas industries getting into the drinking water that many residents of Whitesburg drink only bottled water to avoid consuming toxic chemicals.  I knew that there were places in the world where you couldn't drink the water, but I never imagined that I would be living in one, a mere six hours away from Pocahontas County.

With all of the talk about drilling for gas in Marcellus Shale, I urge Pocahontas County land owners and residents to guard their land, their water supply and their mineral rights against any sort of industry that could damage their drinking water.  It is physically possible to survive without fossil fuels, but physically impossible to survive without water.  Even if it seems like gas drilling might bring an economic boost, money cannot easily buy back a clean water supply after it has been damaged.  I've seen it in Kentucky, and I hope I never have to see it in my home county.

Janney Lockman

Whitesburg, Kentucky

and Green Bank

Dear Editor:

I had the pleasure to visit your fair city in June for the memorial service for Mrs. Helen Dilley Davis. This was an occasion for family, relatives and friends to gather in the all American town of Marlinton to pay homage to a remarkable lady. Mrs. Davis was a life long resident and a large number of people gathered for this event. Activities started on Friday, June 11, with a delicious chili and cornbread supper at the Davis residence on 10th Avenue. Mrs. Davis’s son, Jim, introduced the Rev. Gene Pierce, retired minister of Marlinton Presbyterian Church, to give the blessing. As part of his introduction, Jim mentioned that Gene used super glue when he preformed the nuptial ceremony for him and his wife Gunda because in September they will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. During and after the serving of the food, the guests were able to renew their friendships of many years and in fact some of the discussions lasted until the wee small hours of Saturday morning.

On Saturday, June 12, the memorial service was held at Marlinton Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Larry Gamble and Gene Pierce presiding. Rev Pierce traced many of the four score and fourteen years, mentioning both the good times and periods of sorrow. The personal salutes to Mrs. Davis were continued with her two surviving sons, Jim and Bill, providing words of reflection of  life in the Davis family. There were a number of good times cited as well as the times of sorrow in the deaths of her teenage son, Larry, and her daughter, Sybil, and then the death of her husband, Layman. Chuck Dilley gave reflections of life with the Davis family where he was treated as a son. The church was filled to capacity. After the service, those attending journeyed over to the social room for a lunch featuring ham biscuits and several side dishes. Jim introduced a number of the attendees including friends from the mid-west and throughout both West Virginia and other states.

At the conclusion of the social hour, Jim announced that there would be a picnic that evening at his Mom’s homeplace at the Dilley farm located on Gordon Dilley Road. The picnic was well attended and guests feasted on bratwursts, hamburgers, and hot dogs expertly grilled by David Dilley and Steve Critapoe. One of the many outstanding side dishes was delicious scalloped potatoes prepared by the hostess Pam Dilley Sharpes.

Family and friends journeyed from all over the country to attend this event. Such an attendance can not be duplicated in modern urban/suburban communities because of the transitory nature of the citizens. Only in a wonderful little town like Marlinton with such a picturesque setting could this memorable memorial service unfold in such a friendly and nostalgic way.

Your loyal, humble and obedient servant,

Paul C. Farmer

Fairfax VA