Iron Gate Meeting: Talk of Lead and Copper Rule, Potential Departure of Vice-Mayor Marshall, and Possibility of Town's Absorption into the County
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer |
Iron Gate, VA (Nov. 20, 2025)— It was a brief, albeit informative meeting at tonight's regularly scheduled Iron Gate town council meeting. The approximately 30-minute gathering included talks of a new lead and copper rule recently put in effect by the Trump administration, a brief mention of Vice-Mayor Brandon Marshall's potential departure in the position — Marshall would remain in his seat as a regular councilmember — and the possibility of Iron Gate being absorbed into Alleghany County.
As it pertains to the lead and copper rule, all pipes in the town will soon be replaced during a multiyear project, which is not expected to conclude until 2037. The rule aims to revise regulations concerning lead and copper levels, as well as a focus on reducing lead exposure, replacing lead service lines, and mandating more testing of lead levels in drinking water.
Mayor Kawahna Persinger also announced that Vice-Mayor Brandon Marshall had been considering stepping down from his position, thus returning to his seat as a regular council member. However, it is unclear at this time what Marshall's decision may be and an announcement is not expected until next month.
Finally, Persinger mentioned that many had asked her when the town would be absorbed into the city. However, there is not currently a plan for that to happen. The comment seemed targeted at the town's years-long fight to avoid bankruptcy following the Jennifer Simpson case. The mayor noted that the town would need to come up with the money to pay their bills, citizens would have to step in to help and fight for the town to avoid a future potential absorption into Alleghany County. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen.
The Journal hopes to have some footage of tonight's meeting available soon on our Alleghany Journal Facebook page.
|  | Pat Shiflett, who recently accepted a seat on the council, won't officially be able to join until all election results are formally processed, sometime around December 10th.
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|  | Next month, Iron Gate will learn if Brandon Marshall will stay on as Vice-Mayor or step down to a councilmember seat.
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|  | (left to right) Councilwoman Jennifer Tyree, Vice-Mayor Brandon Marshall, Mayor Kawahna Persinger, and councilman Chris Mayo. Councilwoman Norvella Burrell was unable to attend tonight's meeting.
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