Simpson Case, Jared Jenkins Among Iron Gate Town Council Topics Thursday Night
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer | Iron Gate, VA (July 31, 2025)— Despite the brief, 30-minute meeting Thursday night in Iron Gate, a lot of ground was covered. Council discussed the Jennifer Simpson case, former town attorney Jared Jenkins, town clerk Ashley Prior's resignation, Councilman Christopher Mayo's first meeting, resident Pat Shiflett's interest in filing the last council seat, August meeting dates, the sudden and devastating passing of Councilman Neil Hardesty's wife, and a few other topics.
"That was truly a tragedy," Mayor Kawahna Persinger said Thursday night. Persinger lowered her head as she referenced Tuesday morning's crash that claimed the lives of both Georgeanna "Squeaky" Lee Hardesty, Councilman Neil Hardesty's wife, and her friend, Sabrina Harris. "I just ask that everyone keep both of them [families] in your prayers." Naturally, Councilman Hardesty was not present for tonight's meeting, and was the only council person not present.
Later, Persinger took note of the Jennifer Simpson case, as council was asked to vote to stipulate $68,000 for Simpson's attorney fees associated with the lawsuit. Council voted as such, then proceeded to talk about former town attorney Jared Jenkins who represented the town of Iron Gate during those legal proceedings. On tonight's agenda, the new business was to "vote to authorize Jim Guynn, Jr., Town Attorney to proceed with filling charges against Jared Jenkins, the Town's previous attorney.
"He [Guynn] wants to file charges against his [Jenkins] insurance," Persinger noted, prompting Vice-Mayor to compare the filing to that of a malpractice. We caught up with Mayor Persinger afterwards for additional information about the filings, to which she replied, "This is because he [Jenkins] did not provide us adequate representation during the [Jennifer Simpson] lawsuit."
Additionally, Vice-Mayor Brandon Marshall read former town clerk/treasurer Ashley Prior's resignation letter, which the Journal provided readers on July 21st when we received a copy of her letter. Prior resigned, effective immediately, due to ongoing health issues that hadn't seen improvement.
Persinger also took the time to welcome Councilman Christopher Mayo to his first meeting Thursday night. "It took a while for Judge Stein to sign the papers," the mayor said, offering an explanation as to why the process was a lengthy one.
Councilman Mayo also read a letter that hailed from Iron Gate, Pat Shiflett, expressing an interest in filling the last vacant council seat. Afterwards, council voted unanimously to accept the letter.
The final order of business was to schedule August's meetings. Due to Mayor Persinger beginning her vacation tomorrow and coming back on the 16th, possibly the 15th of August, there will be no work session for the month of August. However, the regularly monthly meeting is scheduled for August 28th at 7:00 p.m.
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