PHOTO/ MARK SCHMERLING
Editor’s note: Below are a few excerpts from an Open Letter by Maria Gunnoe, a 2009 Goldman Prize winner who has been the fight for a safe environment in Appalachia for 25 years. The link to her full Open Letter is below.
“There is very little that I have not done to end mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining and to stop the coal industry tirade on our land, water, air, our economy, and our people. I have always been a friend to miners and to environmental organizations across this country . . . I have taken threats on my life and my family’s lives and criticisms from both sides of the coal war. Still, I attempt to focus on good work that will improve the lives of the people where I live, all while trying to sustain my own . . . .
“I had two children with breathing problems and Dakota Coal Company was blasting close to my home . . . My water well went bad . . . There were underground mine fires burning close to our schools in Van, WV. The coal smoke was so thick people had to stay indoors . . . This was in 1998 before my Dad (at 51) was killed on an MTR mining operation trying to gather wild ramp bulbs from what he called Heaven’s Land. . . I moved back to my home place to care for my 85-year-old Cherokee Grandfather. I promised my Dad and my Grandpa that I would tend to their land and see to it that my kids inherited something worth having . . . . We deserve clean water and safe communities to raise our kids in. Our kids deserve a fair and well-funded education . . . .
“Every group that ever muttered the words mountaintop removal coal mining or used our work in any capacity owes us something in return. . . . In the coal war many people have been left behind on the battlefield and if you listen you can hear them still calling out for the help they’ve been promised.
Contact Maria Gunnoe on Facebook at fb.com/maria.gunnoe, call 304-989-9581, or write to PO Box 494, Van, WV 25206.
Click here to read Maria Gunnoe’s full Open Letter: https://www.facebook.com/maria.gunnoe/posts/10219556998456759
As walking my dog at below 20 degrees at 7 AM. I wondered how many homeless, and wild animals died over this night and it only Nov 2 nd 2019. There was passively murdered by Colorado Landlords who turned them away without legitimate cause.
Yet they and their associations are asking Colorado State Lawmakers to transpose their bogus illusionary, yet mandatory ” Income Requirements” because it appears in rental contacts by the landlords, into actual laws. Even the supposed, 2.5 times the cost of the rent, appears in the application of one low-income affordable housing. Most time it 2 to 3 times the income of rent require to lease an apt.
This unlawful actions are ignored by those who make or enforce the laws. How long until other State follow CO. suit, and pass an illegal, surely immoral, discriminating law?
I will fight that idea becoming “a pretend law” ASk for others to join the Movement. Exchange IDEAS how to inform Lawmakers this is Un-Constitutional. I want to yell no more intentional, but not pulling the trigger themselves rules by landlords. Nor do we need uninformed legislators enact laws protecting landlords from underpaid tenants. If anything we need livable wages. Not unmakable laws, which amounts to unconstitutional law made by lawmakers sworn to uphold the US AND Colorado, constitution. Or otherwise unauthorized to be legal and valid laws, because the state lawmakers lack equity against the homeless and us poor. The poor needs fair laws, and homes. No more Passive Deaths. Call me at 719.465.3454. With Ideas, ways to entice. magazines to carry This untold issue. Volunteering for service.
I need Re-Posts, and Ideas. To help the Homeless re-house.