Chapter: Cumberland

Knott, Letcher, Rowan and Pike counties became the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th local governments in eastern Kentucky to pass a local resolution calling on members of Congress to pass several bills needed to help sick, disabled, retired, and unemployed coal miners and their communities. The fiscal courts in Letcher and Knott counties took the unanimous action at their respective monthly meetings on October 15th, and Pike and Rowan counties acted the next day.

Advocates say other local governments will soon follow their example. The resolution was first adopted by the City of Benham in Harlan County in September. That action was followed quickly by local governments in the cities of Jackson, Morehead, and Whitesburg, and in Breathitt, Knott, Letcher, and Pike counties. The resolution is expected to be considered at upcoming meetings in Floyd, Whitley, and Harlan counties, among other places. (Update: Floyd County became the 10th KY community to pass the resolution on October 18th!)

In January and February, two eastern Kentucky chapters have started the year off with a bang.

Harlan County chapter members met on January 25 and did some deep visioning on what they want the chapter to work on over the course of the next year, bringing long-time members as well as folks new to KFTC together.

“I'm excited for the direction the chapter is moving in. I believe this can be a great thing for Harlan County, and it can move Harlan in a very positive direction, for the benefit of all who live here,” Lily Milovnik, a Harlan County High School student, said in regards to the January chapter meeting.