I read with great interest the article in the Wetzel Chronicle dated November 2, 2011, concerning American Ridge Road. My husband and I decided to take a ride to the top of Doolin Run Road to see just how bad it was. We have lived on American Ridge Road for 39 years and I must say I have never seen it in such good shape. The road has been widened and I didn’t see any potholes. Yes, it is covered with crushed limestone and is dusty. Over the years we have seen our paved road breakup and large pot holes filled with gravel by the state road. Country roads do not hold up because they do not have a solid base.

Over 25 years ago when the first well drillers came to our ridge they tore up the road so bad a vehicle could hardly navigate through the muddy ruts. We were told by the bank that money deposited for the bond had been withdrawn from the bank so the State was left to replace the road. I think we all learned a lot from that experience.

We will have to put up with the big trucks and dusty roads for a while longer, but I feel that it is a small price to pay to help make our country free from foreign energy sources. Stone Energy Corp. has been a good neighbor and willing to meet our needs. I am sure that when the big trucks are gone, we will have a very good road to travel. And, no they are not drilling on my property.

Liz Hartman

American Ridge Resident