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Gibson residents balk at mine's road closure plan

PRINCETON, Ind. - A southwestern Indiana coal company's bid to close portions of three county roads is drawing fire from residents, who say mining in the area is driving people away.

Peabody Coal has asked the Gibson County Commissioners to allow it to close about 2 miles' worth of roads. Company spokesman Howard Kiefer says no residents will lose access and detour routes will be available.

That's no consolation to residents.

"East Gibson is suffering tremendously for all of this," Nancy Gehlhausen told commissioners recently.

Gehlhausen said residents have to deal with blasting, shaking and dust from mining activities and that the mining has been "devastating" to the Barton Township school.

"There are no houses, no places for people to live," she said.

Property owner Gary Fritz said the mining activity has even driven businesses away.

"You can't buy a gallon of gas, a quart of milk, in Barton Township because businesses that sold them aren't there anymore," he said.

"They can talk about the war on coal all they want, but we've got a war on Barton Township," added property owner Gary Fritz.

Kiefer said Peabody Coal employs 158 at the Somerville mine, with 54 more jobs to be added by January. He noted that the company will restore streams and improve the environment during reclamation.

"We are a steward of the environment. Yes, we do turn it upside-down, but we put it back," he said.

Commissioners plan another public hearing Nov. 18 to discuss the road closures, the Princeton Daily Clarion reported.

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