The weekly Hazard Herald in southeastern Kentucky used the 45th anniversary of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's “poverty tour” through the region, months before his assassination, as a point of reference for the region's chronic economic problems and its more current challenges, caused mainly by closings and layoffs at coal mines.
After two days and 200 miles in the region, Kennedy spoke about what he had seen: “There is no real hope for the future amongst many of these people who work hard in the coal mines, and now that the coal mines shut down, they have no place to go. There’s no hope for the future, there’s no industry moving in." He could say much the same today, Herald reporter Amelia Holiday suggested. The region's coal industry is declining because of depleted resources, Obama administration regulations and, primarily, cheap natural gas.
Holiday noted that poverty rates in Perry County dropped by about half from 1960 to 2011, but the rate is still 25 percent, while the Kentucky and national rates are 19 and 16 percent, respectively. And the figures for most adjoining counties and the rest of Central Appalachia are even worse. She cites Appalachian Regional Commission figures: In 1960, 214 of the counties in official Appalachia were chronically distressed, and 98 of them, or 46 percent, were in Central Appalachia. Today, only 81 are distressed, but Central Appalachia has 66 of them, or 81 percent.
Justin Maxson of the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development "said he does not think things have improved in the region with any kind of equality, which might be why many living in this region may not think there has been much improvement since the '60s," Holiday writes. "He thinks there are three main things that need to be aligned in the area for things to start improving: greater investments in the right things and more effective use of funds, support and growth of small businesses, and growth of stronger and more effective local leaders."
In an editorial that also mentioned the RFK anniversary, the Herald called for some of the coal severance tax that is now divided between the state and coal counties to be placed in trust for the future: "Our region has suffered for too long from poor decisions; it’s time now to make a wise one."
Kennedy finished his film interview with sentiment that reflects today's viewpoints, writes Holiday: “It seems to me that [in] this country . . . as wealthy as we are, that this is an intolerable condition. It reflects on all of us. We can do things all over the rest of the world, but I think we should do something for our people here in our own country.” (Read more)
After two days and 200 miles in the region, Kennedy spoke about what he had seen: “There is no real hope for the future amongst many of these people who work hard in the coal mines, and now that the coal mines shut down, they have no place to go. There’s no hope for the future, there’s no industry moving in." He could say much the same today, Herald reporter Amelia Holiday suggested. The region's coal industry is declining because of depleted resources, Obama administration regulations and, primarily, cheap natural gas.
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| Kennedy, center, walked in Hazard in February 1968. (Herald photo by Paul Gordon) |
Justin Maxson of the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development "said he does not think things have improved in the region with any kind of equality, which might be why many living in this region may not think there has been much improvement since the '60s," Holiday writes. "He thinks there are three main things that need to be aligned in the area for things to start improving: greater investments in the right things and more effective use of funds, support and growth of small businesses, and growth of stronger and more effective local leaders."
In an editorial that also mentioned the RFK anniversary, the Herald called for some of the coal severance tax that is now divided between the state and coal counties to be placed in trust for the future: "Our region has suffered for too long from poor decisions; it’s time now to make a wise one."
Kennedy finished his film interview with sentiment that reflects today's viewpoints, writes Holiday: “It seems to me that [in] this country . . . as wealthy as we are, that this is an intolerable condition. It reflects on all of us. We can do things all over the rest of the world, but I think we should do something for our people here in our own country.” (Read more)
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