When Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s Utah Mine Safety Commission meets in Huntington today, it will hear from those people most affected by the Aug. 6 disaster at the Crandall Canyon Mine: the residents of the small mining community and neighbors of the miners who died.

The commission will receive public comment for the first time and will listen to several scheduled presenters on the issues surrounding the incident and its impact on local residents. Six men were trapped in the mine collapse, and their bodies were never recovered. Three rescuers died days later trying to reach them.

The public hearing before the commission is scheduled for today at 10 a.m. at Huntington Elementary School. People may offer their comments orally, in writing or via e-mail to minesafetycommission@utah.gov.

The person who will head the meeting is no stranger to spirited debate and controversial issues. Scott Matheson Jr., a former U.S. attorney and former dean of the University of Utah's law school, was hand-picked by Huntsman to lead the eight-member commission.

"I've always thought that if the governor asks you to do something in the area of public service, then that's what you should do," Matheson said in an interview Monday. "The goal is to examine the role of the state in this area of mine safety in light of what happened and try to develop recommendations for the state that would make mine safety in Utah better."

Huntsman said he picked Matheson to head the commission because he was looking for "someone who was meticulous with the facts, someone who worked well with others, and someone who was known and respected in the communities in which they would be operating."

Choosing Matheson, who was Republican Huntsman's Democratic opponent in the 2004 governor's race, also signaled the nonpartisan nature of the commission's effort. "This is well beyond politics," Huntsman said.

The governor wanted the commission to hold meetings in both Huntington and Price to allow residents of those communities to have a forum that would allow them to make comments and suggestions.

"This commission is really providing the only open-forum opportunity at this point," Matheson said. Residents "will find a receptive ear and an open mind from this commission. We really are there to listen and learn."

Huntington Mayor Hilary Gordon said Monday that she is hoping for a strong turnout. She said she is sensing some concern from residents about what the future holds for this long-time mining community in Emery County.

"I'm sure it's true of Carbon County, too. People are nervous about government maybe making so many rules and regulations that the coal-mining owners are going to say, 'Forget this, we don't even want to do this.' They want to make sure that their jobs and the jobs of coal mines are secure," Gordon said.