Dear Governor Manchin,

I want to start by congratulating you on your Election Day success. Although we don’t agree on several issues, I believe we have the people’s interest in common. I will get straight to the point as I don’t have time to beat around the bush and I’m sure you’re busy also. We here on Rt. 5 in Boone County, the communities of Laurel Creek, Hopkins Fork, and Sand Lick Rd. have yet to really see or hear that we have a solution to our water problems. With the exception of DEP Cabinet Secretary Randy Huffman, Citizens Advocate Pam Nixon, the WV American Water Company’s Wayne Morgan and Fred Riggleman from the Boone County PSD with the Boone County Commission commitment of funding, we haven’t heard anything, including from your office. Forgive my demanding tone, but I feel we have a legitimate request to know if and when we will be hearing from you and your team.

In the last couple of months there have been several more cases of cancer and gall bladder problems seen in the area. Even though we can’t say yet for certain what the causes are, these people need replacement water. It is very hard for people to go get the water at the community center or the church if they are not able to get out of bed. Their families are busy taking care of their immediate needs or working to support their families. One lady I spoke with recently is a cancer patient with a trach. Her family is still using her water to cook with because they (1) don’t have a way to carry all they need to care for her, (2) they can’t leave her alone for a long period of time. They buy enough water to drink. Several people have bought expensive appliances to use because their ice makers and water dispensers have stopped working.

One of the kidney transplant patients is possibly loosing the new kidney??? His sister is a cancer patient who spent 2-3 months in Chicago, Ill for treatments, their father has to have 24 hour care, other family members are so busy caring for these people they don’t have time to care for their own family much less going 10 miles to get water in milk jugs.

I guess you might say I am begging for a response from you as the “Man in Charge”. Please respond to our pleas for help. Come visit these people. See for yourself. Just let them know you are concerned. The people voted on Tuesday, they gave their support now please give them some respect, because as we speak some are dying more rapidly than should be. Let their last days be with dignity

We as concerned citizens have set up an emergency water fund and have received a large donation to start up a delivery service on our own because we can’t get anyone to respond to the need. It would be greatly appreciated if you or someone in high places would donate to this cause. We are doing our part please help us by doing something.

Maria Lambert