Goliath versus Little David
By: Ronald Hixson, Ph.D.
Goliath faced Little David (250 of them in attendance, 8300 in signed petition against the coal mining operation) at the International Convention Center in Eagle Pass. Goliath is the Dos Republicas Coal Partnership. Camino Real Fuels LLC, a North American Coal Corporation (NACoal) subsidiary, is the proposed operator for the Eagle Pass Mine. Currently NACoal has mining operations in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The partnership has offered an initial investment of $116 million dollars. They suggest that the coal mining operation will increase the City of Eagle Pass sales tax revenues by 25% and will increase the property tax revenue for Maverick County by $1 million. They also suggest that they will be hiring over 200 people from Eagle Pass to work in the mine operation. There are a number of lessons we can learn from this encounter.
Americans have a long history of fighting against great odds. Beginning with the Pilgrims and then by those that came to live in a hostile environment without any resources except each other, they found a way, not only to survive, but to raise families, crops, and build homes and towns and a few hundred has grown to over 311 million people according to the 2010 census. This places the United States as the world’s third largest population (following China and India). When Americans decided to fight for independence from the United Kingdom there was blood shed and many lives lost but the nation grew. When we fought each other during the Civil War many lives were lost and property destroyed. But we, as Americans, rose up from ashes to recreate a freer people and build a more industrial country. As a nation we have gone to war many times, and still have engagement in the Middle East to fight terrorism. Thousands of Americans have sacrificed their lives so that we can live free from tyranny. Given this brief history there is every reason to believe that we, as a people, can resist the forces that over power our lives, in courts, in legislative halls, and in the corporate board rooms.
Mayor Ramsey Cantu put it best when he noted that over 8300 signed a petition against the opening of the coal mine. He also noted that in many elections we do not have nearly 8300 people voting. Therefore, the first thing we need to become is a regular voter at all elections! If we are going to have, as a people, any real power, it has to come from the voting booth. According to the Texas State Department of Health in 2014 the population of Texas was 27,161,942 of which the White population was 11,624,881, the Black population was 3,114,187 the Hispanic population was 10,740,456 and those with other ethnic populations was 1,682,418. When broken down into what population has the greater number of voter actually voting in most elections that would be the first two groups. Hispanic voters have historically been apathetic or do not see voting as a way to change. If half the eligible Hispanic voters actually voted at an election perhaps that might create an earthquake in state capitals and in Congress? This is one power that is not being used at this time; can we get 50% of the voters out for the next election in Maverick County? Starting a new trend in our community is one that can be noted in other communities and maybe at the next election Del Rio, Uvalde, Laredo might catch fire and bring out 50% of all eligible voters.
A second point that was learned from the January 22 hearing at the International Center in Eagle Pass was that the future of our community has a voice. There were several young adults and students who were willing to make posters and to stand up and tell the congregation what they believed and why they believed it. These young students and young adults are the future of our community. They are learning that their voice can be heard and that it can be effective.
A third point was that our elected officers in local politics stood up and made presentation against the proposed project. These included those from the Mayor’s office, the County Judge, the Maverick County Hospital District, and the Eagle Pass ISD.
A fourth lesson learned was that there is a group of people that have formed an association dedicated to the health and well-being of our society. This is not the first time the Maverick County Environment and Public Health Association, has stepped forward to acknowledge possible health hazards that can emulate from the coal mining operation. In 2012 the group signed a petition with a letter to the federal government and stated that Maverick County has one of the highest rates of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in Texas and that the coal dust from the mine operation and from the transportation from Eagle Pass to Mexico would be expected to exacerbate these conditions as well as increase the number of cases each year. This could not only damage lives but drive up health care costs.
In conclusion, we can be proud of our children and grandchildren who stood up to Goliath because they had good leadership at home and in the community. Learning to protest without violence is an important lesson that they are learning. Feeling empowered to protest when their environment is endangered is something that is not taught in many schools. We can be proud of our leaders, parents, educators, and students who are standing up to Goliath, and saying, “not in my community”.
