New Lynch Mayor Considering Mining

{Lynch, Kentucky}...Re-elected Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has promised to be friendly to the coal industry, but, this week, voters elected a new mayor in the Harlan County town of Lynch. Lynch sets at the foot of Black Mountain, and the Kentucky-Virginia state line runs down the middle of the mountain. The Virginia side of the mountain has been surface mined, while the Kentucky side is still untouched. Some in Lynch are concerned about the town’s drinking water, which comes off the mountain. The city has filed a petition with the state to declare the lands unsuitable for mining. The petition was denied, but Lynch is appealing the decision. Current mayor Taylor Hall was involved in the city’s efforts to prevent the mine, but Hall didn’t win re-election. Mayor-elect Johnnie Adams isn’t sure what he’ll do about the petition yet, but he’s more inclined to work out a deal with the coal companies.