The mining companies need to pay their fair share of taxes and if these counties would elect officials that would be for the people and work for ALL the people and not just a certain few .The most important thing is to listen to the people. Noticed over the years that when these people get in office -certain people run to them and pucker their lips (if you know what I mean.)This is why the county is not doing so well. This is why the three (A,M,Y) counties are not doing well like other counties(Burke, McDowell, Watauga, etc).Will the counties change? It has to be the people that will cause the change.