Signal Peak Rally Brings Community Support

Friday September 27th Signal Peak had a rally event in Roundup at the community stage. The community came together to show thier support for the vital industry. Art cards by Coila Evans, along with food and teeshirts were given to rally goers.

The event, organized by Signal Peak along with Mayor Jones and others, had many speakers adding information about the importance of coal to our community and state. Some of the speakers include, Aaron Flint from Montana Talks radio program, Mayor Jones, Commissioners Robert Pancratz, Mike Goffena, and Michael Turly. Also, Parker Phipps, Rep. Greg Oblander, Rep. Karrie Crowe, Rep. Gary Parry, Tom Hoagan, and Duane Ankney also spoke. Representatives for Govenor Gianforte, Matt Rosendale, John Tester, Steve Danes, read letters from the representatives. Mayor Jones read a letter from candidate Tim Sheehy. All promising support for coal mining, and reiterating the need for the industry in our state. Also on stage, who didnt speak, were board members from the mine Joe Piccioni, and Sue Olson, and Mike Morgan who provided the music.

The mine provides $77 million dollars to the general fund into the coal council, $ 32 million dollars a year in payroll that directly affects the community. Karrie Crowe states about those opposing coal, "It is not a fight against coal, but a fight against the Montana way of life." Also mentioned at the rally was a point that our Montana coal has to be shipped out of Canada, as it has been blocked to be shipped from our own states. This is Interferrence of commerce.

Duane Ankney worked in open pit mines before going into politics. He exclaimed that the coal severance tax has benefitted every county and every school in this state, as well as providing good paying jobs. "I thought coal was dirty work, but then I went into politics and I found out what dirty was!" states Duane comically "It's hard to get coal miners out to a rally because they are either sleeping or working"

Life in Roundup would certainly be affected dramatically without the local mine. Many of the emergency vehicles and city upgrades could not have been purchased without the help of the local mine. The rally provided locals an opportunity to show that the community values Signal Peak.