Harlan County | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Chapter: Harlan County

In Harlan County and eastern Kentucky, we have a rich culture, natural beauty, valuable resources such as mountains, forests and water, and a history worth preserving. We are a chapter of KFTC because we believe that these assets and characteristics define who we are, and in preserving and protecting them we are defending a way of life and leaving what is most special about this place for future generations.

Harlan County residents helped create KFTC, and we are one of its earliest chapters. Our local chapter was built on the dedication and struggles of many who came before us, and since 1981 we’ve continued their efforts. Through the years, we have been involved in successful campaigns to save the upper elevations of Black Mountain (Kentucky’s highest peak) from strip mining and logging, help communities win water lines and a new bridge, and so much more.

Today we are working to build new power in the mountains to protect the water and a way of life threatened by destructive mining methods, while  supporting KFTC’s broader efforts to make coal mines safer for miners, fully fund schools and keep college affordable, bring clean energy jobs to this area and expand voting rights.

Recent Activities

Coxton & Black Joe communities organizing in Harlan County

Tanya Turner on October 2, 2012 in Coal and Water, Enforcement, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, Harlan County

Since early spring, homeowners in the Harlan County community of Coxton have been contacting local and state officials about land sliding and excessive water runoff threatening their homes. Their continued efforts even landed them on the front page of the Harlan Daily Enterprise in June. 

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In the investigative report, Coxton resident Floyd Hamblin told the paper, “I first began seeing muddy water coming off the mountain in March. I went up on the mountain myself and I saw a highwall, where you walk around the logging road, and a cut that was made is about 6 or 7 feet high.  There was water running off the mountain over the highwall onto the logging road and cutting gaps in the mountainside.”

Celebrating and building community in southeastern Kentucky

Tanya Turner on September 6, 2012 in , Harlan County, , Perry County

Over the last month, chapters across the state gathered for their annual chapter meetings.  From Bowling Green to Harlan to northern Kentucky, members celebrated the last year of hard work in their communities and beyond, elected new chapter leadership, discussed KFTC's platform, and planned for the coming months.

KFTC members get the Blue Ribbon!

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on August 22, 2012 in Economic Justice, Tax Reform, Southern Kentucky, , Central Kentucky, , Big Sandy, , Harlan County, , Jefferson County, , Madison County, , Northern Kentucky, , Perry County, , Rowan County, , Rolling Bluegrass, , Shelby County, State Budget

Last night's marathon Public Input meeting marked the end of this important stage of the Blue Ribbon Tax Commission's process for recommending state tax reforms. Although a few good folks had to leave before they could deliver their statement – the meeting ran more than an hour over time – the call for progressive tax reforms and adequate revenue for health, education, and environmental protection and clean energy was loud and clear. Sixteen of the speakers lined up were KFTC members, some coming as concerned Kentuckians and some wearing the hat of an ally organization.

H2O-rganizing builds momentum in eastern Kentucky

Tanya Turner on July 31, 2012 in Coal and Water, Community Science & Public Health, Big Sandy, , Harlan County, , Perry County, Water Quality

Building on the successes of the first Community Organizing & Water Testing Training held in Prestonsburg back in May, over 30 people gathered in Whitesburg this past Saturday to learn, share, and grow together. Katie, an attendee who lives a few feet from the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Hazard said, "we came here to learn about community building, and in a way that’s really what we did here within this whole group.”

Transylvania students tour southeast KY with KFTC leaders

Tanya Turner on May 15, 2012 in Coal and Water, Harlan County
At the home of Elmer Lloyd

Students and professors from Transylvania University in Lexington spent a week at Camp Blanton in Harlan County earlier this month.  During their time, they connected with KFTC leaders from all over Harlan, Letcher and Perry counties to learn about the land, culture and people of east Kentucky and beyond. They also spent some time in our Whitesburg KFTC office to screen our 30th anniversary film, I Was There: The first 30 years of KFTC. Below are photos from their experience.

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Chapter Feature:

DSC_0931"Many of us are working to create a better future for our children and grandchildren - and we've got lots of possibilities and real ideas about how to do that. We've got a bright future if we want it."

- Carl Shoupe, Benham, KY

 

Visions from Black Mountain coverVisions from Black Mountain

Residents of Benham, Lynch and Cumberland share their visions for the unique Tri-Cities area.

Regular Meetings:

We meet every other even month on the second Thursday at 6 p.m. We move our meeting locations around the county. Check the calendar!

Chapter Organizer:

131 N. Mill Street
London, KY 40741
606-261-4955

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