Thursday, May 01, 2008
Pike County Judge Executive Announces Plans For Coal Miner Statue.
Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford announced on Thursday, May 1, “Coal Miner Appreciation Day,” The county has plans to erect a miner’s statue outside the Pike County Courthouse. The statue will commemorate the many dedicated coal miners across the county and those who have lost their lives on the job.
Steps to see the statue erected at the courthouse will be a joint effort on the part of county officials, the local coal mining industry and private citizens, Rutherford said.
“This is something that is long overdue,” Rutherford told onlookers outside the Pike County Courthouse Thursday. “We are the number one coal producing county in the Commonwealth, and we should have something to pay tribute to the people who make that possible.”
Elder Kermit Wright of the Caney Creek Old Regular Baptist Church, and a former coal miner himself, gave an opening prayer following initial remarks from Judge Rutherford. Wright’s emotion-filled prayer focused on remembrance of the lives lost in Pike County coal mines.
The announcement for an upcoming statue came as part of a press conference to celebrate “Coal Miner’s Appreciation Day.” During the gathering, Judge Rutherford spoke on the importance of the coal industry and the importance of coal miners within that framework.
Also part of the day’s events was Kentucky Coal Academy President Dr. Bill Higginbotham, who pointed to training and advancements in safety procedures as steps that are being taken to improve the workplace for coal miners.
“We’re making great strides in mining safety and seeing that today’s miners are trained properly,” Dr. Higginbotham said. “Coal miners are the driving force behind this industry and any gesture to recognize them is certainly well deserved.”
Judge Rutherford also signed a proclamation Thursday officially recognizing May 1, 2008, as “Coal Miner Appreciation Day” in Pike County. Rutherford addressed in his proclamation the dedication and sacrifice of our coal miners, adding the debt we owe these individuals who work each day for the betterment of us all.
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Steps to see the statue erected at the courthouse will be a joint effort on the part of county officials, the local coal mining industry and private citizens, Rutherford said.
“This is something that is long overdue,” Rutherford told onlookers outside the Pike County Courthouse Thursday. “We are the number one coal producing county in the Commonwealth, and we should have something to pay tribute to the people who make that possible.”
Elder Kermit Wright of the Caney Creek Old Regular Baptist Church, and a former coal miner himself, gave an opening prayer following initial remarks from Judge Rutherford. Wright’s emotion-filled prayer focused on remembrance of the lives lost in Pike County coal mines.
The announcement for an upcoming statue came as part of a press conference to celebrate “Coal Miner’s Appreciation Day.” During the gathering, Judge Rutherford spoke on the importance of the coal industry and the importance of coal miners within that framework.
Also part of the day’s events was Kentucky Coal Academy President Dr. Bill Higginbotham, who pointed to training and advancements in safety procedures as steps that are being taken to improve the workplace for coal miners.
“We’re making great strides in mining safety and seeing that today’s miners are trained properly,” Dr. Higginbotham said. “Coal miners are the driving force behind this industry and any gesture to recognize them is certainly well deserved.”
Judge Rutherford also signed a proclamation Thursday officially recognizing May 1, 2008, as “Coal Miner Appreciation Day” in Pike County. Rutherford addressed in his proclamation the dedication and sacrifice of our coal miners, adding the debt we owe these individuals who work each day for the betterment of us all.
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# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 7:05 PM 
