Dear Editor:
The residents of Pocahontas County have big hearts. I've known this for years, but recently this sentiment has been reinforced by the generosity shown to our less fortunate families through the Marlinton Food Pantry.
In late November, after providing groceries to 67 families during the prior four weeks, there were many empty shelves in the Food Pantry and the funds to buy needed groceries were nearly non-existent. As a matter of fact, we didn't have enough stock or funds to provide the traditional Thanksgiving dinner baskets.
A call went out to the community concerning this matter and the response was overwhelming. Our Pantry is operated entirely by volunteers with donated food and donated money. The need for this service has been steadily increasing with a monthly average of more than 80 families receiving food over the last six months. There have traditionally been food drives during this season and it seems this year that the food drives have been even more successful because, I believe, folks realize that times are hard for a lot of our citizens and want to help. Together, we were able to provide Christmas dinner boxes for 121 families representing about 380 individuals.
May God Bless each one who helped in any way to make this possible.
Nancy Friel
Marlinton Food Pantry Volunteer

Charlotte Slagle
Pocahontas Cooperative Ministries Volunteer

Dear Editor:
I am concerned that pressure is being put on the state agencies related to the sewage situation by self-serving elements within the county.   And, this resulted in the response the PSD received regarding their latest proposal.
Yes, I am an outsider, but only in part.  I grew up in the county  and am a proud product of Marlinton High School; however, due to the need to find  work I left after high school. I have deep roots in the county going all  the way back to the early settlers.  I returned a few years ago and  now am the proud owner of properties in the county.  I cannot vote;  however, I contribute significantly to the taxes collected.
It is very disheartening to see people I know torn apart over this  subject and another one at this time.
If Mr. Litsey truly has the opportunity to gain more than the  other resident who has fought this tooth and nail, let his critics lay out  what that gain is.  Stop insinuating without putting up the proof.  I  have never met Mr. Litsey; however, no one deserves to be accused without  something concrete being presented.
Those of us who will have to live with the results favor letting the PSD fight for a system that is geared to the needs of today and the future,  if they can be determined.  There are no zoning laws on the books  of the county; and, I am not advocating for them, however, there should have  been a Master Plan for the county - probably too late now to prepare one.
I have no problem with one big sewage facility, if the critics of   PSD's proposal are willing to put their money where their mouths are.  If  they will sign an agreement, that, if what they want does injury to me  and other owners of property on the mountain they will reimburse us for all  costs and lost revenue, I would accept their position.  There are not many,  if any, deep pockets on Snowshoe Mountain.  We have all worked to get  where we are and resent being labeled as such.  We should not have to  pay for the development of large tracts of land in the valley.  In my  county here in Virginia, developers put in the infrastructure and it should be  the same in Pocahontas County.
I love my home county, returning each year to spend many pleasant weeks watching the sunsets and enjoying snowstorms (no I am not crazy) as I did as child growing up on Campbelltown Hill.  I have many friends and  family in the county so I do keep up with what is going on.
If anyone is trying to influence decisions in Charleston against the PSD, eventually it will be discovered and hopefully you will be brought to task for it.  If you are not doing so, please speak out and help, not hinder.   Offer your help so the proposal will be accepted.
Creola Schumaker Loyd
Warrenton, Virginia