To the Editor:

Last Thursday evening, near disaster struck Mill Spring with the explosion of a natural gas line near CooperRiis. Out of concern for our safety local authorities helped us to evacuate all staff and residents of our program without incident or harm to anyone.

We are writing this letter as a sign of gratitude and appreciation to the local EMS, Red Cross, Sheriffs office, Mill Spring Fire Department, and the Days Inn, which was willing to provide 40 rooms for us. We were given expert assistance and our evacuation went smoothly.

Once again we have been deeply impressed by the professionalism of our local public authorities. Thankfully, the disaster passed quickly and we were able to return home by the end of the evening with the knowledge that we had been well cared for, largely by the volunteers of our small community guided by the expert leaders of these services.

We are fortunate to live in such a caring community!&bsp;&bsp; &bsp;

Virgil Stucker

Executive Director

CooperRiis Healing Community