Exercise 7.4

Prosper Mine Shut Down

United Coal Company announced Tuesday that its Mine No. 3, known as Hellpit, will be shut down in two weeks indefinitely, putting 1,000 people out of work.

The deep-shaft coal mine was opened in 1901 in Prosper, a mining town of 909 people in the northeast corner of Crocker County.  The mine has provided a major source of employment for the town’s people, and has brought in close to 800 people from other towns to work at the mine.

The shaft is a quarter-mile deep, making it the deepest in the state.

“With the mine closed, our revenue is just about gone,” Mayor Lester Jenkins said.

Since becoming eligible for coal tax revenue in 1980, Prosper’s budget has risen $260,000, providing funding for building projects such as the city hall and a park.

Some tax money will continue to dribble in as stockpiles of coal are depleted, but the city clerk foresees a cutback for the fiscal year, which starts in 30 days. The budget will drop to $60,000, which “will cover essential costs like police protection and utilities at City Hall and at the new ball park,” city clerk, Wilma Foster, said.

Company officials cannot be reached by phone, but the reason for the mine closing is said to be due to a severe cutback in demand for coal because of a shutdown in manufacturing nationwide.

“We hope to see an increase in demand, but until we do, the mine will remain sealed,” says company president Wilson Standridge.

Comments:
VERY informative. It gets straight to the point and gives me all the details I need. And you kept the sentences short. GREAT JOB!