The Shadow
IRON GATE, Va. (VR) – The Iron Gate Town Council held an important meeting on Dec. 26, approving a new town attorney and accepting the resignation of a long-serving council member. The meeting opened with a prayer from Councilmember G.W. Reynolds, who wished the council and town “good hopes and aspirations for the new year.” An amendment was quickly made to the agenda to address an individual’s high water bill issue.
The council first took care of routine business, approving the minutes from the previous regular council meeting. A motion was made and passed unanimously to pay bills as funds become available and approve receipts. The discussion then turned to the town’s legal representation.
Councilmember Kawahna Persinger read a letter from Jim Guynn Jr., an attorney from Roanoke, offering to serve as the town’s new legal counsel. Guynn’s letter outlined the terms of the agreement, including an hourly rate of $200 and a suggestion to have the mayor serve as the primary point of contact.
“Having one point of contact at the local government serves the best interest of the client and the firm,” Guynn Jr. wrote. The council voted to accept his offer, with the mayor set to sign the agreement.
The meeting took a dramatic turn when Councilperson Persinger announced her resignation from the council, effective Dec. 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Persinger explained that the resignation was necessary to assume the duties of mayor on Jan. 1, 2025, for a two-year term.
“I look forward to functioning in this capacity and serving the residents of Iron Gate,” Kawahna said in a letter read to the council. A motion was quickly made and passed to accept her resignation.
The council then turned its attention to other pressing matters, including a request to adjust a resident’s exceptionally high water bill. The resident experienced a leak outside their home, leading to an unusually high bill. The council voted to approve the adjustment. Additionally, the council reviewed and accepted a payment plan for another individual who had accumulated an excessively high water bill. The resident had already signed an agreement with the town to pay the bill in installments, and the council voted unanimously to approve the payment arrangement.
With the business portion of the meeting winding down, the council addressed some logistical issues. Due to a scheduling conflict, the council voted to move the Jan. 20 work session meeting to Jan. 13. This change was made to ensure the council had enough members present to conduct business.
Kawahna Persinger also provided an update on the town’s vacant council seats. One seat was recently filled by Neil Hardesty, who was court-appointed by Judge Stein to the position. However, the council still has the vacancies of Persinger and Reynolds that need to be addressed. “We’ll have to run an ad in the paper and show that they’re available, and if anyone else in the town is interested in one of the vacant seats, they can certainly put in a letter of interest,” Councilperson Persinger explained. The council will review the letters of interest at a work session on January 13th and then vote on the new members at the end of the month.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, the council discussed a building-related issue with a resident, Mr. Hanmark.
The area where Hanmark’s property is located is not currently zoned, which could pose challenges if he decides to expand his woodworking business in the future.
“If you know 20 years down the road, you decide you want to open a diesel business, you’ll have to come to council,” Vice Mayor Richard Erskine warned Hanmark. The council advised the resident to obtain a business license if he plans to sell his woodwork items, and suggested he check with his homeowner’s insurance to ensure he has adequate flood coverage, as the area has a history of flooding.
As the meeting drew to a close, the council reiterated the need to fill the vacant seats and prepare for the upcoming Jan. 13 work session. With several significant decisions made, the Iron Gate Town Council adjourned, setting the stage for a new year filled with both challenges and opportunities.
