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This article originally provided by DailyPress
August 2, 2006
Grandfather begins walk to highlight school concerns
By LAWRENCE MESSINA
Associated Press Writer
Ed Wiley, 49, is part of a group that wants to close Marsh Fork, which sits next door to a coal refuse pond and preparation plant, and build a new school elsewhere. Wiley's 11-year-old granddaughter recently graduated from Marsh Fork.
About two dozen supporters cheered Wiley on as he kicked off his trek at the center fountain of the state Capitol Complex. Clad in a white T-shirt, jeans, low-cut boots and a camouflage ball cap, Wiley said he expected to arrive in the nation's capital by Sept. 12.
"It's a very, very small sacrifice," said Wiley, of Rock Creek. "It's a very simple solution. Move this school away from the mining operation."
Wiley and the Pennies of Promise project hope to raise money and awareness for their campaign to build a new school. They say they'll need $5 million and have already raised $7,000 for his walk.
Wiley and his granddaughter presented Gov. Joe Manchin with $460 worth of pennies in May.
The coal facilities are owned by Goals Coal Corp., a subsidiary of the Richmond, Va., company Massey Energy. Goals Coal wants to build a 168-foot-tall silo 260 feet from the school. The state Department of Environmental Protection granted the necessary permit last year, but rescinded it because a Massey engineer had enlarged the submitted map's permit boundary from previously approved permits.
The state Surface Mine Board upheld the DEP's decision and ordered Massey to submit accurate maps for the location.
With Wednesday's highs expected to reach the upper 90s, a support vehicle trailed Wiley as he walked along U.S. Route 119.
"I think this walk is going to be a huge success for all of us, and not just the kids of Marsh Fork Elementary," said Debbie Jarrell of Rock Creek, a Pennies of Promise member.
On the Net: http://www.penniesofpromise.org/
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