This article originally provided by The Daily Athenaeum

Grandfather nears end of his trek to Washington

CHARLESTON (AP) - A Raleigh County grandfather is nearing the end of his 455-mile walk to Washington, D.C., in an effort to draw attention to pollution near Marsh Fork Elementary School.

Ed Wiley, 49, left Charleston on Aug. 2 to raise awareness about the school's location next door to a coal refuse pond and preparation plant and gain public support to build a new school in a different location. Wiley represents a local fundraising campaign called Pennies of Promise, which has said a new school would cost $5 million.

''A lot of people have given me support, all along the way,'' Wiley said in a telephone interview during a pit stop 12 miles outside Washington, adding that people have brought him something to drink, or would give him change out of their vehicles' ashtrays. ''Some people have a hard time understanding why this has gone as long as it has, so I explain to them about the politics involved and the politics of coal in our state.''

Wiley wants to meet with Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., on Wednesday, when he plans to arrive in Washington.

''I just want Senator Byrd to step up and take care of the people of Appalachia,'' Wiley said.

Wiley said Byrd's staff promised him an audience, but weren't sure if Wiley would be able to meet Byrd because the senator may be busy on the Senate floor. Wiley said he'll wait.

''This is all pretty emotional for me. I didn't walk 450 miles for nothing, and I believe Senator Byrd is an hon orable man and cares about the state of West Virginia,'' Wiley said.

Wiley plans to cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday and continue to the Washington Monument, where supporters will gather at noon to accompany him to the Cannon House Office Building to meet with Byrd's staff.