Macoupin coal mine gets state grant

Coal is an integral part of the Illinois economy, so we must continue to make these investments in clean coal technologies, modernization and mine safety Monterey Mine No. 1 in Macoupin County was one of 16 recipients of Opportunity Returns grants announced by Gov. via Alton Telegraph

[Monterey miner]

How uninformed is Deanna Demuzio and no thanks to Ron Blegovich. It is our tax dollars that Exxon got they could have come forward with their money easily to be proactive in the compliance of the new safety rules. To stingy to give us our contract, we have worked all year without a clothing allowance, backpay and they have given the reason someone is buying the mine that will not settle for the new contract. That has been looming over our heads for , well since august last year. I cannot see anyone buying a small, run down one mine operation and taking almost two years to acquire it. They said 14 months ago(CArlin Acquisition Corp,), " We can bond the gob pile reclamation but not your medical pension". they want concessions already and havent even bought it. They dont want to pay into the pension, so no more of our time would count, with that into play, IF THEY COULD BUY IT. Exxon has allow this to extend on an on and in an article last year exxon was going to give them until december last year and go on business and usuall. As of today carlin is having financial difficulties acquiring the mine, and they did not know about the fall we had a week ago or the fact that they cannot mine at the rate they want to. the longwall cannot run any faster without roof problems, the belt cannot take it, and the prep plant is junk.

I plead with the senator from carlinville and the governor to put the money to its best use in the future. If we loseour jobs and macoupin really has all their eggs in one basket, i.e., mining, they should consider extending unemployment so intergovernmental grants can offer Associate programs that displaced miners can finish to remain productive players in the county and contribute to the tax base that will be greatly impacted by the one mine closure(Freeman 220)and montereys possible demise(365+ lost jobs).

[Concerned]

I was just wonder what does the state of Illinois plan on doing about all the mine closings? I grew up in Girard... I know a lot of families that got hurt by mine closers. My own Uncle was employed at the mine and forced to start up a new job even though he was so close to retirement.