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IIII IIIIIIIIIIIII III 999 8 W.nM.a.y, Fwru.ry te, ran, Delta County Independent Coal lease open house March 2 There will be an open house at the Paonia Town Hall March 2, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. regarding a coal lease application from Som- erset Mining Company. The Bureau of Land Manage- ment is conducting the meeting to solicit public comments on issues, concerns, alternatives and poten- tial impacts that may result from the proposed leasing action. The lease application area is in Gunni- son County, approximately three milts east of Somerset. For more information call Lynn Lewis, BLM, 249-6047. Concern expressed about safety on cemetery access road Dear Editor: This is in response to Norma Ellis' letter in the DC/ April 22. I signed the petition which opposed changing this cemetery access road to a haul road. I was born (1917) and raised in Somerset, and spent 22 years working in Somerset mine. Most people don't know or have been misinformed about prior hap- penings pp~eraining to mining oper- ation's; demetlry use, aan move- rticnts grid where roads ran. I have five family members b}tricd in this cemetery. I probably make more nips to this cemetery than anyone else. [object to Norma Ellis' statcmen[ about "no hindrance to anyone from the coal tycks." During the past two years f fiave become concerned about my safety when 1 drive this road when teal wcks are running. The road is curvy and not any too wide Cor safe dhving, especially when the wcks atie in a hurry. Prior to trucks haul- ing on this road, several people used to enjoy walking up to the cemetery and back. This oilers the best viewpoint of Somerset. People no longer feel safe making this walk. There are many reasons why trains in the pact did not interfere with traffic on this access road. Roads and highways were located differently, and trains were made up with a lot fewer cars than now. During loading, trains were split, with some cars being parked at Oliver and others backed up on highline. This allowed access. There was always another access for workers, emergency vehicles, etc. This road ran along the north side of the tracks and came out east_ of town (during recent mint acci- denl the epergency vehicle had to '~Wait~Un~the Bain t$as split). This road was closed off in 1991 when tracks were relocated and west end of oid state highway was closed. My interests aze not in stopping 'dr slowing coal production. Coal mining is the lifeline of this valley. If other coal companies operate within dte law, shouldn't everyone have to? I have spoken to two of the individuals who wrote letters in support of changing this access road a a haul road. They indicated to me that they should have found out more about this issue prior to writing letters. It seems to me that prior owners of this mine had more considera- tion and concern for the communi- ty. In closing, I wish [o answer Mrs. Ellis and anyone else. [ am not a "malcontent;' but I do love fishing and hunting. 1 have never accomplished anything in my life by whining or complaining. Let's all of us prosper and thrive by working together to improve our quality of life. Frank Plute Paonia