Published: February 27, 2008 03:21 pm         

Mining fought at county level

Residents continue to band together to voice opposition to strip mining.

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Residents in the towns of Kimberly and Morris joined forces again this week to fight strip mining in their community.

On Monday, residents attended a Jefferson County Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting in Birmingham to oppose a proposal for RJR Mining to strip mine about 100 acres in Kimberly.

“More or less, the little man won,” said resident Jim Sims. “Drummond Coal got denied.”

Kimberly annexed 280 acres of property owned by Drummond Coal Co. in September. At least 100 acres of that property was to be sold to Cullman-based RJR Mining for the purpose of strip mining.

However, residents voiced strong opposition and the proposal was given an unfavorable recommendation by the Kimberly Zoning Board and was also defeated by the Kimberly City Council.

The Kimberly City Council de-annexed the property in January at the request of RJR Mining so it could be taken to the county level.

Messages left for Randy Johnson of RJR Mining were not returned regarding Monday’s decision.

Ralph Lindsey, a former member of the Kimberly Zoning Board, felt that RJR failed to show hardship to the Jefferson County board and failed to show why their project is the highest and best use of the land.

“Drummond Coal has billions of tons of reserves all over the world,” Lindsey said. “They don’t need to come here and do that strip mining.”

He said RJR could still fight the opposition at a court level, but residents would continue to fight back.

“This has done a major service to the residents of Kimberly,” he said. “They don’t feel like it’s useless for them to do something. They’re getting the impression that they have a voice.”

Another of Lindsey’s concerns was that there were no members from the Kimberly City Council at Monday’s meeting.

Kimberly Mayor Sammy Maze said he was unable to attend Monday’s meeting, but sent a letter to the county voicing supports for the residents.

However, residents received some state support in the form of Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-51st, who said he wanted to be at the meeting to show support for the community.

“I’ve received many, many phone calls on this issue,” Treadaway said. “This community has changed dramatically over the past 10 years and people are very concerned about their investments.”

Treadaway said he was also concerned as a parent and wanted to be at the meeting to hear how RJR planned to keep roads safe, despite the presence of coal trucks in the community.

He said he didn’t know if there would be any state influence in regard to mining proposal, but he would continue to be there for the community.

“I want to see where the situation will go,” he said. “I wanted to be there and support those people I represent.”