Editor:

I urge Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, D-Logan, Senator Ron Stollings, D-Boone, and Delegate Larry Barker, D-Boone, to please join Delegate Melvin Kessler, D-Raleigh, and look into the privation of Workers' Compensation.

I am now a disabled coal miner who worked underground for almost 30 years. I did my job not only knowing the risks but also knowing if I were injured, I still would be able to take care of my family.

I was injured on Oct. 9, 2004. I was denied benefits and treatment shortly after Peabody got the results of my MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Peabody rushed me to its company (independent) doctor, who reported back to Peabody on Dec. 20, 2004. My checks were cut off on Dec. 22, 2004. But the last check I received was Nov. 27, 2004.

BrickStreet president and chief executive officer Greg Burton was quoted in a newspaper story, and his remarks are highly insulting: "Everybody participated in what I call the pain" and "There's a bunch of old claims in that old fund and until the last person is paid, or dies, that money has to be there."

It sounds like they are waiting for us to die. That way, they don't have to pay us what is rightfully ours.

My claim has been tied up in litigation since the office of judges ruled on July 14, 2005: “The claimant injured his cervical spine in the course of and resulting from employment on Oct. 9, 2004. The self-insured employer's exclusion of the cervical spine as a compensable injury of Oct. 9, 2004, constitutes an inappropriate, disregard of the credible medical documentation from the claimant's attending physician.”

Please help injured coal miners get their benefits!

Harry L. Sebok Jr.,

Seth

Family thankful for support after loss of its loved one

Editor:

This letter is from the family of Justin Moore — mother Karen Reeves, stepfather Larry Reeves and brother Aaron Moore. It is to all of his friends and neighbors in Madison and Danville.

Justin won his battle with cancer on Dec. 19, 2007. I say won because he left our world to take his place in heaven, which is the greatest prize of all during the battle of life.

Words will never be able to express our feelings over the loss of our son, Justin, nor will words of gratitude express how we truly feel for the prayers, encouraging words and financial contributions that have been made to him and our family.

The loss of a loved one is a very rough road traveled by many, but the journey is made easier when so many loving and compassionate people are standing with you every step of the way, as many of you were for us. There is no way for us to thank each and every one of you that were there for us during our journey, but know that we are eternally grateful and thankful to you all. You are in our prayers.

Karen Reeves,

Madison

School system needs

to rethink its priorities

Editor:

As a rule, I do not write letters to the editor or say things publicly that might offend the people I work with and for.

However, I was appalled when I heard that the Boone County Board of Education was entertaining the idea of hiring an athletic director for each of our secondary schools.

When will they hire a computer technician for each school? Elementary schools in this county cannot run the software that the curriculum we teach contains. When will the board wake up and realize there is more to this county than secondary schools and athletic programs? Are we held accountable for the athletic progress of our schools? I think not!

What about Adequate Yearly Progress? We are preparing to test our students on computers when half or more of the computers in the elementary schools do not work properly, contain operating systems that are outdated and freeze constantly when students are trying to test and access necessary information, and that we cannot even get repaired.

Where is the priority in this county? When will some of the money they so freely spend be spent on something that is of true importance. Will the federal government allow students to transfer from a school that does not make it to the state championship? I don't think so.

There are very few things I would take the time to respond to, but I am just flabbergasted this is taking place at a time when money is so tight. How long has it been since the county gave the teachers a raise at the county level? What could be done with the tens of thousands of dollars that will be spent on these athletic directors. Morale in our schools is at an all-time low. More demands are put on not only staff but also students. It is extremely hard to perform at the distinguished level when you do not have the materials and equipment in proper working order that is necessary for this to happen. I am just amazed!

Debra Ashby,

Danville