It has come to my attention that the Kroger Corporation has partnered with the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC) to offer pre-paid gift cards through their Kroger Cares program.

When the cards are redeemed, five percent goes to the OVEC, which is an environmental group that targets strip-mining.

My family depends on strip mining for survival aas do many other families in our community. I have seen the effects of strip mining and I have seen the reclamation. Anyone who questions the reclamation process can look at Hobet Mining and see how beautiful the mountain is and you can see the wildlife that flourishes on any given evening.

If the OVEC has its way, all strip mining will be stopped and hundreds of families will be forced into bankruptcy or, worse, forced to move to another state.

I hope all Massey members will read this letter and contact Kroger to ask corporate officials to reconsider their alliance with the OVEC. As for me and my family, we no longer will shop at Kroger.

Patty Pauley,

Julian

Editor:

It is most absurd to listen to the debate relating to the energy problem facing not only the United States but also the world.

For instance, one answer to our dependency on foreign oil is and has been present for years. There are carburetors in vaults that will produce 40, 50 and 60 miles per gallon.

How simple to install if one really wanted to solve part of our dependency on foreign oil. The end result would reduce our oil consumption by 100 percent. One only can guess to what extent this would benefit the environment. It also would be a boon to our domestic reserve.

Richard Carrico,

Danville

Editor:

I would like to thank the good people of Boone County for their generosity in donating to the Daniel Boone Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5578 Christmas Basket Fund.

Even though times have been tough for many of us with the price of gas, food and utilities, you gave so someone less fortunate could have a good meal for the holidays.

Thanks to all of you who donated money or your time during the past holiday season. Thanks to you, VFW Post 5578 was able to help more than 500 families receive assistance in feeding their families this Christmas.

Paul Cooper,

Former VFW Post 5578 commander