Letter of Response          Dear Sir/Madam:                            I was just handed the Short Shorts article from your last publication which included an item concerning the death of Leon Runion with comments from Betsy. I would like to clarify some items, if I may.           1.        Yes, Betsy and Leon lived together for a number of years, during which time he worked faithfully. At the time of his death, he was disabled with a back problem and was fighting for his Disability Social Security Award. (His award was received only a few weeks after his death.) 2.        Betsy failed to mention that they had recently split. They had been having problems since Leon had no income. During a visit to our residence, on September 21, 2003, she drove off and left him here in Charleston, going back to their residence in Clay. We did not hear the conversation, so cannot say what the problem was – she just left. Later she phoned and he told her, we could not help but overhear, to “ave her clothes and all her stuff out of the house when he came home.” We loaned him a vehicle to make the trip. If she failed to remove clothes for herself and Jessie, her daughter, then I cannot see where she blames Deputy Delk, of the Clay County Sheriff’ Department because they had no clothes to wear. Leon set up two appointments with her later for the full removal of her belongings, but she failed to appear either time. The last one was on Sunday, September 28, 2003. I know these details as fact because he was unable to support himself and had moved in with us at that time. 3.        Another item of contention seems to be Deputy Delk’ refusal to let her enter the residence. NO ONE outside the investigators were allowed entrance. It was a crime scene and as such was sealed. When the investigation was complete, the residence was classed as a severe biohazard scene and needed professional decontamination. A crew of three bio-cleaning technicians had to be brought in from Colfax, North Carolina to disinfect, sanitize, and deodorize the residence. If Deputy Delk had allowed Betsy and her daughter entrance and they became ill from the contaminates, the Clay County Sheriff’ Department could have been sued. During this process no one, other than the professionals, were allowed entrance. We were notified on October 23rd that the clean-up was completed and scheduled the key pick up on Friday afternoon, October 24th. We talked to Betsy that evening and made arrangements to meet her, along with Leon’ son and heir, at the residence on Saturday to allow removal of her belongings. 4.        As for Betsy’ comment that she isn’ told anything because she isn’ family, there is nothing to tell. We ARE family and we know nothing. Test results still haven’ been returned. We have received no decision, no death certificate. These things take time and I’ sure when a definite decision as to the cause of death is made, she, along with the rest of us, will be told. 5.        As for making payments on the house, I’ sure she did, as did both Leon’ sisters, one making one payment and the other making two. Continued on the next page We had made four. That’ what families do in a time of trouble – help each other out. As a matter of fact, we had gone to the bank and signed papers that we would take full responsibility for the house payments until Leon received his disability award. We had paid another debt he owed in full and “aught up”his power bill which was in default. So if anyone is thinking he was depressed, it was just the opposite. At the time of his death, he was in better shape financially than he had been in some months. With the final hearing coming up on his disability, he was making plans for the future. 6.        “ couldn’ even go to the funeral.” That comment is blatantly false. We personally invited her during a phone conversation the day previous. She said that she just “asn’ coming because she felt guilty – she had left him and she was afraid the family would blame her.” 7.        During the funeral one family member in particular complained about getting calls “very two or three hours”from either Betsy or her mother wanting to know “hat was going on?” Another member said they would call Deputy Delk and ask him to please tell her not to call any more. We know nothing more than that.

We are really upset about this article which appears to be direct quotes from Betsy. We always considered her a friend and have tried to be supportive. This is a trying time for all of us.                Sincerely,                      Janet and Terry Runion                             Charleston, WV     A Second Letter of Response     Dear Sir/Madam:                  I am the niece of Leon Runion. After receiving copies of your articles relating to the shooting of my uncle, I would like to clarify a few things. I hope you will give me the same courtesy that was given to Betsy Lee and this will be printed in your paper, The Communicator.             My father is Leon’ brother. Even though my father is next to the oldest and Leon was the baby of the family, they have always been close. They spent much time together over the years. It was only natural that Heath (Leon’ only child) and I were close. We basically grew up together.             My father is ill and doesn’ handle stress very well. His oldest brother died the last of June 2003. So you can only imagine what Leon’ death did to him. My father and mother were and still are devastated. My father and mother could not even talk to anyone on the telephone. They were so upset.             Upon receiving the telephone call from my mother, I drove from my home in Pendleton County to Charleston to be with my family.             The role of handling all arrangements fell on my shoulders. If you have never been in a situation like this, you have no understanding of what takes place. Every time you hang up the telephone, it rings again. We were trying to notify all members of our family, talk with the Clay Co. Sheriff’ Department, Armstrong Funeral Home and with the medical examiners office to find documentation to identify my uncle. The medical examiners office would not release the body of my uncle until he was positively identified. For this process, we needed dental records. It took three days to locate the dentist. He made a special trip from Charleston to Whitesville for his records. At this point in time, I was running on empty. I had to take care of my father, mother, sister and Heath. I didn’ have time to think of anyone else and if Betsy felt like she was treated as a second-class citizen, I am sorry. My top priority was my father and Heath. This is what families do. They stick together and help each other when it is needed.             When the time came to make arrangements for the funeral, Heath and I went to the funeral home. I helped Jim Armstrong with the obituary. He asked for family information. That is what was provided. I was told the only time that you include live-ins is when they are still together. If Betsy had still been living with my uncle, she would have been at the funeral home and helped with the arrangements instead of me. Betsy left my uncle. They were never married. I don’ know if you are aware of this, but West Virginia is not a common law state. Common law wives are not recognized in the State of West Virginia. My uncle was not Jessie’ father. Jessie has a father. Yes, they lived together with my uncle for 13 years and he loved Jessie and he took care of them, but they moved out. Betsy left my uncle at my parent’ home without a vehicle to get home in. Betsy told my family “essie hates Leon. I have lost one daughter because of him (Leon) and I am not going to lose another one.”             Betsy called my mother at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, October 2, 2003, the day after my uncle was found and told her that she (Betsy) had to go to the                             Continued on the last page     bank to let them know that Leon had died. She was not making the payments on the home. My parents were. Betsy kept calling my great aunt on Coal River begging her to call my father to find out what was going on in the investigation. I am the one who asked Deputy Delk to have her stop calling our family. I told Betsy’ mother that we did not know anything and we would notify her as soon as we did know something.             As of December 10, 2003, we still do not know anything. Robert Stonacker, Medical Examiner’ Office, and Deputy Delk have been very kind and understanding to my family. If they have been short with Betsy, it is because of something she said or did.             No one kept Betsy from entering the house. It was a sealed crime scene. No one could enter until the Biohazard was cleaned up. The reason it took so long was because of a small matter called RESPONSIBILITY. Who would be responsible for payment of the clean up? And believe me that was one bill that didn’ come cheap. Once we got the ok to enter, we let her get her items out. I don’ understand why she stated that we would not let her remove hers and Jessie’ clothing from the residence. She should have taken those when she left to begin with. Instead of taking the time to remove important items, she took the time to remove a DVD player that was not hers. We have asked for it three times and she still has not returned it.             Betsy also stated that Leon had been drinking heavily before the shooting. I don’ understand how she could have known that, when she had not seen him for days. My uncle did not tell anyone in our family that he was going to kill himself. If he had, we would have done something about it. You will never convince me or anyone in our family that it was a suicide, and undoubtedly the Clay County Sheriff and the medical examiners are having a hard time buying that theory also, or this matter would have been settled by now.             Sincerely,             Kimberly Runion Pitsenbarger     LEVY VOTE COMING             Lots of people turned up for the December 8th County Commission meeting, even Matthew “AC”Bragg. With around 20 in the peanut gallery, a couple important issues, a new tax, and emergency communications, took center stage. First the junk..             People are finding out that the names commonly associated with roads in the county are changing. One of those folks, Don Samples, asked the Commission to change the road he lives along to Left Fork of Twistabout instead of Harold Road. Samples was wound up pretty tight as he told the story of long dead, pig raising, Ira Harold of whom the road was recently named after. At one point Samples (a candidate for Sheriff in 2004), referring to Ira Harold, “ can talk to the dead!” Commissioner Bragg, also a Sheriff candidate, back to Samples, “s long as they don’ vote for you.” Laughter was heard through out the room. Bragg later asked Samples what district he lived in. Motion passed after the submission of a petition, to change the name to Left Fork of Twistabout.             Number 9 on the Agenda: EXCESS LEVY for Emergency Services. Here it is in a nutshell readers. County Commission is considering adding an Emergency Service Excess Levy question for the voter to decide. The idea was first brought to the CCC’ attention in an emergency services report which cited the need for additional funds. Early this past summer Big Otter Fire Department volunteer Marlyn Starcher asked the elected ones to put the vote on the ballot. Assembled on this date were reps from Big Otter and Clay VFDs. Both groups spoke in favor of such a vote with the amount to be raised at $170,000, up from $150,000 just three months ago.             The plan calls to split the levy dollars (if approved by the voters) between the ambulance service and the fire departments. Commission President Sams told those in the crowd, the fire departments would all have to be in support of such an idea for the notion to have any chance of success. As with any thing in Clayberry, there is a hitch or hitches. First, rumors are floating around that the Lizemores FD, or several members of the group, are against such a plan. Lizemores FD rep Cookie Johnson said their board was scheduled to meet later that day and a decision would be made. Greg Fitzwater from Clay FD said he would support such a levy ONLY if the money was divided equally between the FDs and the ambulance gang.             Here’ another hitch. Sams replied that he would vote to put the issue to the voter if, and only if, the ambulance service got ½ of the proceeds with the balance going to the three fire departments in the county. Sams, “he ambulance service needs more..” Sams admitted that in the past the ambulance service was not run right, but now, under the direction of Mitzie Adkins, things are looking up and the emergency ambulance service is keeping their heads above water, but just barely. Sams, “30,000 won’ put a second crew on [duty], they need some help..”             From the back came comments from Kathy Schuler who said her end of the county had been forgotten for so long, she wasn’ about to vote in favor of more taxes. She went on to mention the recent school excess levy where she was told by R.B. Legg that her property taxes would go up a little and in fact they more than tripled. Schuler, “’l never vote for another levy.”On the other hand, George Jones, yep George Jones (and he doesn’ look a bit like he does on TV) commented, “e need it in the county… If we don’ start now, no one will have anything…. We have to take care of ourselves.”             Look for the County Commission to vote on the issue in January 2004.             Finally from the meeting came finger pointing on poor 911 radio communications in the county. Sheriff Fields was talking about the many times his officers are out and about in the county where their car radios don’ work and his men are without a means to ask for backup. Fields said of the guy in charge of 911 for the county, Dave King, “e’e got the wrong man on it if there’ no action!… Someone needs to light a fire under him!”Sams agreed that the county needed better communications and the county has the money (over $200,000 from 911 monthly fees) to make the improvements. Fields offered that King needed to do more than just show secretaries how to run a computer, “e’ sitting there not being used. He needs to get off the stick.”King, who was working right next door on a computer, is paid $1500 per month for the part time job. Our 99 year old Sheriff listed areas of no or low coverage and offered, “ have harped about this for a long time. We need some action on this!…. We’e going to get somebody killed! We have one stumbling block and you all can guess who he is!”             And, and, and, long time readers, here it is for the first time! Commission President Jimmy Sams made mention that maybe the 911 center for Clay, now located in Nicholas County, should be moved into Clayberry. Now it was just a brief mention, but the mention was made!             Stay tuned readers, with the election year just around the corner, watch for much more colorful action at County Commission meetings. Come out and enjoy a public meeting, for the most part they don’ bite! AW          TIDBITS             CAEZ That ever so quiet little grass roots group, Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) met December 2nd at their Main Street digs beside DHHR. For the most part, little went on. There were a couple of nuggets worth mentioning.             CAEZ Director Jerry Sizemore is moving along with plans to set up a firewood cutting and distribution business in Clay County. The plan calls for a co-op to be set up. The goal is to provide local jobs, cutting firewood, which would then be sold to consumers in major cities along the east coast. According to Sizemore, $250,000 would be needed to get the doors open and properly equipped. Another issue is land for the business. Sizemore approached reps for Bill Bright about use of land located just past the new State Road garage. That location is not available. As for the needed $250,000.00, grants are being applied for.             Connie Lupardus will be hosting a leadership and tourism workshop in mid December. 100 invitations were mailed out. Scott Bass and Bill Monterosso from Workforce Investment spoke to the CAEZ on their agency’ involvement in tourism and the youth labor force which may be able to help with cleaning up the county.             During a recent Clay County Commission meeting our elected ones appointed Mardell Nevans to the CAEZ Board after attempts to hold a CAEZ election went without response. According to long time Boardster Elizabeth Sampson, the bylaws mandate all reps to be elected by the citizens and not appointed by a Commission. A report on the appointment will be provided during the next meeting.          BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY For the most part, the BDA spent December 4th licking their wounds after their court defeat one day prior. As for the court thumping, Chair Paige Willis, “ was up to my neck all the way. Any blame , I’l accept it!.. We are a nation of laws, we had one day in court and we have to live with it..”The assembled were told that their attorney was going back to the court with a motion to set aside the verdict ( I think that’ what Willis said anyway). All spoke with hope that the Ovapa property would some day turn into a place for jobs and not a trailer park or junk yard.             As for the next BDA adventure, down the road, Chair Willis, “ hope we have gained some knowledge, and if necessary [we’l] go out of county for a lawyer!”Of course the Chair was pointing a finger at Wayne King and his involvement on all sides of the Filcon debacle. After mentioning that attorney King penned the failed agreement and after Prosecutor Jeff Davis made modifications to the document, Willis, “ don’ know how I could have done anything else…. I should have done a better job…”             CAEZ Director Jerry Sizemore took a thumpin as one short guy in the crowd reminded all that it was Sizemore who provided a “avorable report”on the Filcon operation. Note: Sizemore traveled to Oswego, New York at BDA expense and got a first hand look at Manfred Kuentzer’ operation there and brought back a handful of shiny pictures. He also suggested the filter making equipment he viewed was worth well over $ 1million. In response to the public comments from the short guy, Sizemore, “ learned as well as others, I’e learned some lessons.”             DAM SAMPSON During the BDA meeting citizen activist Fred Sampson provided a report on his one man struggle to secure a 14 acre lake near Wallback. The dam would be paid for from Fola Coal mitigation funds totaling $1.2 million. According to Sampson, the DNR and Fola have entered into a contract to build the dam with Fola donating another $450,000 additional dollars to complete the project. Even with those good words, Sampson was skeptical, “ Run Dam is still a possibility.”Sampson was referring to the county waiting over 10 years for the long stalled recreational facility. He went into other mitigation fund problems relating to Fola’ operation, Sampson, “he DEP is making some bad mistakes with Fola.”After such a knock on the head (Filcon), the BDA perked up a bit and looked optimistic for once. Some suggested that since Sampson was the only person in the county working to secure the facility , it should be called Dam Sampson.             Paige Willis summed up the years of work with Filcon and the loss of the hard earned tax dollar property with, “e had a long hard pull with that Filcon business.”           TOWN OF CLAY Mayor King Arthur Jarrett was absent from the December 2nd Town Council meeting which was run by Recorder Dwana Murphy. A couple little morsels were gleaned from the gathering. 1) Town Cop Buckshot Butcher does not follow standard purchasing procedures, purchase orders, before buying for the police department according to Dwana. 2) The town is in the grease over an injured CWEP worker and the claim filed against the town. According to council person Phil Morris, the worker was near Velt King’ home when a rock rolled down the hill and hurt his knee. After completing the days work he later told a hospital worker the rock landed on him.             Mr. Morris guided Town leadership into a discussion on parking meters, parking tickets, and maybe offering monthly parking permits for $10. Consensus of some in the group: Until they get a Municipal Judge to enforce parking ordinances, why even have them? Billie Zegeer questioned whether it was even legal to have parking meters along a state highway, Main Street.             From the peanut gallery came questions on the posting of meeting agendas as required by Open Meeting Laws. Recorder Murphy said the practice is to post the agenda at the close of the business day, one day prior to the meetings. After questions, Ms Murphy agreed to ask the Ethics Commission or the State Attorney General’ office for an opinion on compliance with State Code.             Finally, during the 30 minute get together, discussion came on erecting a gate in front of the Johnnny Woooofter Log Factory ( Sewer Plant) in an attempt to get “arkers”out of the area.          BOARD OF HEALTH Changes are coming to the local health department. They almost came December 9th. With one RN off work with a Worker’ Comp claim, another nurse leaving in mid Dec. and a practitioner leaving Feb. 1st 2004, the twice a month, Family Planning and Breast & Cervical Cancer Clinics are understaffed and loosing money. Director Dawson asked the Board for guidance in shutting down the services. The Board hesitated. Dawson, “e’e got to do something. Tammy is leaving in December.” New man on the board, Joe Morris, “’ not in favor of doing away with the services.” After much talk about the need for locals to provide medical help to the county, the Board asked Dawson to put the decision on hold and look at other options and/or partnerships before shutting down the services. Note: Look for an emergency meeting of the Board in January to deal with the issue.             Also at risk are the homemakers services. Currently the Health Dept has just 28 clients and some of the paid homemakers are without clients. Somewhere in the discussion someone mentioned Clay Development’ name and “ome of them don’ like it.”                                          AW