The Shadow
Charles “Chuck” Unroe praised Susan Knick and Pam Warren of the Kiwanis Club and Gabriel Irigaray of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission on Thurs., Oct. 27, his last meeting as mayor of Iron Gate.
Unroe thanked Knick and Warren for installing a Kiwanis Club of the Jackson River Area’s Book Nook library lending check-out facility in front of Iron Gate Town Hall, and both Knick and Warren addressed Council to express their appreciation to Town Councilman Gary Craig for his assistance in completing the task.
They also presented information concerning the program that is tailored to provide more access to books for children via Kiwanis Club International’s endeavor to help children improve their reading ability and provide them with vicarious learning experiences.
Unroe and council members walked outside of the Iron Gate Town Hall and posed for photographs with Knick and Warren in front of the Book Nook.
Following the photo session, Unroe asked Wendy Biggs, the treasurer, to report on the grant proposal in progress to secure funds to repair the Town of Iron Gate’s wastewater system.
Following her report, Unroe introduced Gabriel Irigaray, regional planner I for the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, and Irigaray reported on the status of the $6 million grant proposal that he has agreed to write on behalf of the Town of Iron Gate to make essential repairs to its wastewater system.
Unroe explained that in past years that the grant proposals that the Town of Iron Gate could have written were matching grants and that a lack of funds negated the Town’s ability to match the funds required, and he expressed his enthusiasm that Irigaray is applying for a grant that will fully fund the project.
He also noted that during past years the operational expenses have risen because of inflation to the point that the Town’s operation of the water and sewer system cannot pay for itself plus the added expenses of repairs needed.
Irigaray noted that he is optimistic. He remarked, “This program is for wastewater and repairs.”
He noted, “We’ve known about the funding (needed), and we are working on the concept.”
“I’m really optimistic about the project, and I’m happy to be writing the application,” Irigaray concluded.
Unroe echoed Irigaray’s enthusiasm, “This grant has no match, and this is a wonderful opportunity for the Town.”
In other business, Vice-Mayor Richard Erskine made a motion to cancel the Town Council’s work session for Nov. and move the scheduled Town Council’s meeting that was set to take place on Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 24, to Nov. 17.
The motion was seconded by Craig, and it passed via a 5-0 vote.
Unroe also announced that the Iron Gate Halloween Party has been canceled due to the lack of volunteers, and he noted that the River Park is closed for the season.
Regarding the park, he said, “We had a pretty good run over there.”
He also announced that the Town’s winter flags will be flown beginning on Mon., Nov. 7, the day before the election, and he noted that there were five volunteers who showed up for clean-up day and that much of the mulching needed was achieved on Oct. 8.
Unroe also thanked Ronnie Dowd for the gardening work he achieved by cutting back shrubbery.
As for the Neighborhood Watch meeting that took place following last month’s discussion about regrouping, Unroe noted that a meeting was held for Iron Gate and Wesgate residents and that 22 citizens attended, a much better turnout than attended the previous organizational meeting.
Council members present were Nikki Curtis, Kawahna Persinger, Jennifer Tyree, Craig and Erskine. Councilwoman Debbie Harris did not attend the meeting. Vice-Mayor Erskine, a veteran, led those present in prayer and in the “Pledge of Allegiance” after Unroe called the meeting to order for the last time.
