Hi, Excellant article below..... http://www.loganbanner.com/search/search_detail.cfm?ID=1892 Another incident happened recently in July 2006, as reported in the Logan Banner, where a cemetery was half destroyed by a natural gas drilling company, for whom the employees just plowed right through the middle of an old family cemetery. It was stated that protest was raised by a witness, but an employee of stated company made a vulgar remark and gave total disregard as to the descency and sanctity of the cemetery and went on about their business. As of yet, nothing has been reported about if charges were filed, or followed through by the law. ATV riders, usually locals, are the most destructive. They are allowed to drive on the main highways, and the police turn a blind eye. I have witnessed this myself, in Man, during a Veterans' Memorial Dedication Ceremony. I was told by Man residents that if they raised protest in any way, their homes have rocks thrown at them, and mud. Windows broke and vulgarities shouted at them by the same passersby that may have been asked to stop. Again, the law enforcement does nothing. Though recently, Man passed a new law that does not allow ATV riders to drive on the main highway; it makes you wonder, how much it is being enforced. I was told by my great aunt that their family cemetery is in danger constantly by rogue logging thieves who have been coming onto their property to steal timber. Being a mountainous piece of property, she has no way of defending the cemetery or the trees. I was told one man lives on this mountain, and there are atleast 2 cemeteries on it, for which require four wheel drive to reach them. My great great grandfather's cemetery (Queens Ridge Family Cemetery) is in danger of underground mining. There is an ongoing fight to stop the coal mine from proceeding and causing any damages to this old ancestral burial ground. Yes, it matters. It matters a lot about my family's cemeteries, as well as, others I visit. But, its better to use honey than vinegar when you live within the wasps' nest. Many of you, being so far removed can voice your opinions much more earnestly, without fear of threat of your home being burned as you lay in it at night. I will fight this battle the best way I can, and you all keep up your protests and making your opinions known. If the WV politians know that outsiders are concerned, and your tourism dollars to the great state of WV may not come in the future, if your family cemeteries are not there to visit.....well, they may take another deeper look into enforcing these defunct laws! To Governor Joe Manchin, the almighty dollar is helping him want to lead WV into the future of business. Tourism is a big part of that goal. Write letters to this effect, about not wanting to visit a state that allows destruction of its family cemeteries to enhance financial gain. I read a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin: "Either write things worth reading or do things worth the writing." And also, it was stated by a historian on the History Channel that Benjamin Franklin was quoted to have said: "If I wish to know more about a community and it's people, all I have to do is visit it's cemetery." I do take his advise, and as of lately I have been terribly disappointed in many communities. Have a great week, Sandi __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Sandi, I think as native West Virginian's that live out side this great state should get on the band wagon to have this destruction stopped to the cemeteries. I say start a letter campaign to the governor and also letters to the editors of the newspapers around the state. I am willing, do we have others that are willing to stand up? Could you provide an address for the governor? K ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandi" <sandmayo@yahoo.com> To: <WVLOGAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 5:15 PM Subject: [WVLOGAN] Cemetery vandalism and code > > Hi, > > Excellant article below..... > > http://www.loganbanner.com/search/search_detail.cfm?ID=1892 > > Another incident happened recently in July 2006, as > reported in the Logan Banner, where a cemetery was > half destroyed by a natural gas drilling company, for > whom the employees just plowed right through the > middle of an old family cemetery. It was stated that > protest was raised by a witness, but an employee of > stated company made a vulgar remark and gave total > disregard as to the descency and sanctity of the > cemetery and went on about their business. As of yet, > nothing has been reported about if charges were filed, > or followed through by the law. > > ATV riders, usually locals, are the most destructive. > They are allowed to drive on the main highways, and > the police turn a blind eye. I have witnessed this > myself, in Man, during a Veterans' Memorial Dedication > Ceremony. I was told by Man residents that if they > raised protest in any way, their homes have rocks > thrown at them, and mud. Windows broke and > vulgarities shouted at them by the same passersby that > may have been asked to stop. Again, the law > enforcement does nothing. Though recently, Man passed > a new law that does not allow ATV riders to drive on > the main highway; it makes you wonder, how much it is > being enforced. > > I was told by my great aunt that their family cemetery > is in danger constantly by rogue logging thieves who > have been coming onto their property to steal timber. > Being a mountainous piece of property, she has no way > of defending the cemetery or the trees. I was told > one man lives on this mountain, and there are atleast > 2 cemeteries on it, for which require four wheel drive > to reach them. > > My great great grandfather's cemetery (Queens Ridge > Family Cemetery) is in danger of underground mining. > There is an ongoing fight to stop the coal mine from > proceeding and causing any damages to this old > ancestral burial ground. > > Yes, it matters. It matters a lot about my family's > cemeteries, as well as, others I visit. But, its > better to use honey than vinegar when you live within > the wasps' nest. Many of you, being so far removed > can voice your opinions much more earnestly, without > fear of threat of your home being burned as you lay in > it at night. I will fight this battle the best way I > can, and you all keep up your protests and making your > opinions known. If the WV politians know that > outsiders are concerned, and your tourism dollars to > the great state of WV may not come in the future, if > your family cemeteries are not there to > visit.....well, they may take another deeper look into > enforcing these defunct laws! > > To Governor Joe Manchin, the almighty dollar is > helping him want to lead WV into the future of > business. Tourism is a big part of that goal. Write > letters to this effect, about not wanting to visit a > state that allows destruction of its family cemeteries > to enhance financial gain. > > I read a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin: > "Either write things worth reading or do things worth > the writing." > > And also, it was stated by a historian on the History > Channel that Benjamin Franklin was quoted to have > said: "If I wish to know more about a community and > it's people, all I have to do is visit it's cemetery." > > > I do take his advise, and as of lately I have been > terribly disappointed in many communities. > > Have a great week, > Sandi > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > > ============================== > Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for > ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx > >