i deliver in that area and knew a lot of families including the jones guys family that was killed.they are hard working people who took pride in their community and jobs.times have changed in the cloverfork{evarts}area.what mining is left has gone non-union and there is a constant threat of shutdown and jobs moving.as we speak many jobs have been moved across black mountain{ky/virginia state line}due to regulations.i have to feel the umwa has sold out to the miners years ago.at one time the tri city areas of harlan county{cumberland,benham and lynch}had over 10,ooo residents.the combined population now is 3500,and more than half unemployed.there are no union mines in harlan county anymore,only retirees. i pass two umwa union halls with doors boarded and weeds in the parking lot,a constant reminder not to take your job for granted.
