Town of Clendenin
P.O. Box 694
103 First Street,
Clendenin, W.V. 25045
PHONE (304)548-4192
FAX (304)548-4134

Dear Governor Justice,
I am writing you today as Mayor of one of the most devastated towns impacted by the 2016 floods in
West Virginia. I was not in my position at the time the floods occurred but was elected and began my term
in July of 2017. As any elected official should, I began to look into the current status of our town in a
financial aspect as well as getting up to speed on all of the recovery efforts.
While reviewing our FEMA files I began to realize that there were some differences in the paperwork that
did not make sense to me. I reached out to WVSOEM to request copies of my project worksheets and
any paperwork that may or may not have been missing from the files here in town after the previous
administration left office.
It took almost 3 months for that paperwork to make it to me from Mr. Greg Myers with our state
Emergency Management office.
Once I had the completed set of paperwork I again sat down and looked through everything. Still, things
did not add up and Mr. Myers was requesting that I sign a "P-4" to close out projects that had been signed
off on and overseen by the previous administration. Specifically, our Town Hall Building and the Clendenin
Community Center project worksheets were incorrectly written. I have thus far refused to sign and close
out these projects.
I at this time and after much research contacted Speaker Armstead in regards to this matter. I met with
him in his office in mid-October and let him know the issues that had arisen and asked for help in the
matter.
Speaker Armstead set up a meeting on November 13, 2017, in which the following people were in
attendance: Secretary Jeff Sandy, Bob Ashley, Speaker Armstead, Director Jimmy Gianato, Mr. Greg
Myers, Mary Elizabeth Eckerson, Todd Gunter, Myself and the two people I brought to talk about the
technical issues with the FEMA Paperwork.
During this meeting, the project worksheets were discussed, as well as utilizing the 324 State
Management Funds from FEMA to benefit our state and bolster the ability of the WVSOEM staff. We
discussed the situations here in Clendenin, and being a newly elected Mayor I asked that someone help
me with the issues I was questioning. I was assured at that time that Mr. Gianato and Mr. Myers would be
reaching out to me and would gladly correct anything that was found to be wrong.
Two weeks later, on November 28, 2017, Mr. Myers and Mr. Brian Penix came to Clendenin. They met
with Fire Chief Kevin Clendenin, Councilman John Shelton, representative from FEMA Region III and
myself. We discussed again the PW's related to Clendenin's recovery and the fact that I had requested an
audit be done and for them to assure me that everything was correct before moving forward. One hour
later, they left Clendenin and assured me that they would be looking at every piece of paperwork and
would be getting back with me.

 February 7, 2018, I held a public meeting in Clendenin regarding the schools that were destroyed in the
flood. Clendenin Elementary and Herbert Hoover High parents were not being communicated with in
regards to the process and what was being done to get our children out of their "portable" schools. I
requested that Kanawha County Board of Education, School Building Authority, FEMA, and all other
agencies involved come to Clendenin to address the concerns and let the people know where they were
in the process. At this meeting Mr. Myers approached me and apologized for the delay in communication
and advised me that they were "moving offices" again and that he would be in touch "shortly". I thanked
him for letting me know and waited to hear from him.
During these several months I continued to research and talk to representatives of the State about the
issues and concerns I have. I was eventually granted a meeting with your office. On March 14, 2018, I
along with a few of my advisors met with Brian Abraham, Joey Garcia, Bray Carey, Delegate Roger
Hanshaw and Mike Hall in your office. During this meeting we discussed again the issues with what was
being overlooked and the potential consequences to my town and the State of West Virginia in the long
run. I left that day hopeful that someone would get to the bottom of the issues within the West Virginia
State Office of Emergency Management.
May 10, 2018 I sent an email to Mr. Greg Myers asking what his plan of action is to investigate the issues
I had brought to their attention. It is June 13th and I still have received no response.
One thing about people in West Virginia is that we all come together in a time of need. Several other
flooded communities including your hometown have had issues regarding Mr. Gianato and his staff.
Last week during a press conference Mr. Gianato was asked if there were any problems regarding FEMA
in the state, and he answered that he was unaware of any issues except 2 appeals that were in process.
It would seem that if he and his staff have agreed on several occasions to help the Town of Clendenin,
there is knowledge of our issues.
Now that you are aware of our issues, I am asking for your assistance and advice in this matter. I frankly
have lost all faith and trust in our West Virginia State Office of Emergency Management and Director
Gianato. I would appreciate a prompt response from your office.
Thank you,

Shana M. Clendenin
Mayor – Town of Clendenin
Cc:

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito
General James A. Hoyer
Speaker of the House Tim Armstead
Secretary Jeff S. Sandy
Senator Ed Gaunch
Senator Stephen Baldwin
Senator Craig Blair
Senator Glenn Jeffries
Senator Chandler Swope
Delegate Roger Hanshaw
Delegate George Ambler
Delegate Kayla Kessinger
Delegate Dana Lynch
Delegate Dave Pethtel