BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

KERMIT, W.Va. — With a misdemeanor case still pending, the Kermit Council agreed to resolve the issue of an alleged broken lock and damaged water meter that led to the arrest of a resident.

Officials gave Etta Kiser until March 21 to pay $175 for the damaged meter and labor costs.

In a lengthy discussion, Kiser claimed she paid her bill twice for two months’ service, plus a reconnection fee, due to delays with the online payment system Doxo that the town started using during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They had put a lock on my meter,” Kiser said. “I called and said, ‘It’s paid,’ and sent a screenshot.”

She said officials agreed to turn her water on the same day.

“The lock was off the meter the next morning when they came,” added Kiser. “Everything was fine, then two hours later, they came and pulled my meter. I’m not going to try to act innocent. I know why my meter got pulled—because of my mouth; I don’t know when to shut up.”

Kiser said town officials filed a criminal complaint the same day alleging she had broken the lock and damaged the meter. Following an interview conducted by an officer with the West Virginia State Police, Kiser paid the bill again, plus the reconnection fee in person at Town Hall.

“The town reimbursed me for what they owed me once they got the check from Doxo,” she said.

A week later, on Election Day, the state police issued a warrant for her arrest on charges of destruction of property.

Following an arrest in December on a third offense driving on a DUI-suspended license and a bench warrant for failing to appear in court on the destruction of property charge, Kiser spent 40 days in jail, all of which count as time served on both charges. She stated she had not yet had a court date for the destruction of property charge, adding the council had the right to resolve the issue.

Mayor Charles Sparks commented that someone broke the lock and turned the meter on. He pointed out that Kiser had posted a video on Facebook saying that she was going to do it.

“I could play it for you if you want me to,” Sparks said, referring to the post as “political.”

The cost of damage to the meter plus labor for two men came to $175, according to the mayor.

Councilman Doug Collins stated he would not get involved because it was “all hearsay” to him.

“Have you taken responsibility for breaking the lock off?” Councilman J.W. Endicott asked Kiser.

“I didn’t break the lock,” Kiser replied.

“Did you have somebody do it?” asked Endicott.

Kiser answered, “I didn’t have anyone do it.”

Endicott advised Kiser that she could have avoided the whole issue had she just paid her water bill.

“My water bill was paid—twice,” said Kiser.

Endicott turned to City Police Chief Roger Johnson for his thoughts.

“Roger, you’re the law enforcement; it’s in the prosecutor’s hands,” said Endicott.

Johnson agreed.

“The town itself is the victim,” Johnson said. “And more than likely, the prosecutor is going to do whatever the town wants him to do. It would be up to the victim to say it, but ultimately, it is the prosecutor.”

Councilwoman Tammy Preece Hodge entered the discussion, saying she understood Kiser’s decision not to implicate another individual during the council meeting.

Councilman Scott Smith said that in consideration of Kiser’s jail time served and payment of damages in full, he would be agreeable to advising the prosecutor that the town had no problem with Kiser pleading “no contest.”

Mayor Sparks said that was all he wanted—the time served and payment for the damages.

Following the deliberation, the officials voted to give Kiser until March 21 to pay the $175.