Ronceverte has it’s newest Councilmember — Ashley Guet.
Both Guet and Councilmember Tanya Hazelwood announced the decision on social media following the September meeting of City Council.
“Yes, Ronceverte; I would be very proud and honored to serve as a city council member! I am super excited to announce that I can officially add ‘Ronceverte City Council’ to my resume!” Guet posted to social media. “I was interviewed and voted in tonight and will be officially sworn in at the next council meeting! I am super happy and appreciate the vote of confidence from everyone on the council and our Mayor! I look forward to starting this new journey! Very proud to serve our sweet city! Councilwoman sounds nice to say about myself!”
In the July meeting, several new councilmembers were sworn in and Councilmember Kathy King was appointed to serve as temporary recorder. After more consideration the following month, King moved and council approved Councilmember Leah Smith to serve as recorder permanently, with a round of applause.
This appointment, however, now leaves another council seat open in the city just months after the recent elections.
“Since I resigned my position as city recorder to take office as Mayor and Leah has taken the position as recorder, we have an open council position,” explained Mayor Deena Pack. “We will be accepting letters of interest between now and September 6. We will interview interested applicants prior to the next council meeting in September and the goal will be to have council make a decision on that position and have a new council member sworn in at the September meeting. If you know anyone [that lives within] city limits that’s interested in being considered for the open position, please let them know.”
Guet has been a frequent face at City Council meetings over the past few months, in part due to her efforts to get nonverbal communication boards set up in Island Park with assistance from the City Council and Pack.
In May, Pack complimented Guet’s efforts to expand access to parks and recreation for individuals with autism.
“I would like to commend Ashley,” Pack said. “April was autism awareness month and Ashley worked very hard to be an activist for Winter and other children who have autism.”
“You guys are going to make me cry,” Guet later said in the same meeting.
When asked by The West Virginia Daily News what she would want the public to know, Guet explained “I’d just like to let them know that I am looking forward to this new journey and I have the best interest of Ronceverte at heart! I have high hopes to see the city become more inclusive for everyone and I have so many ideas!”
Guet is expected to be sworn in at the next Ronceverte City Council meeting in October.
PTO officer and soon Councilmember Ashley Guet (left) with the nonverbal communication board meant for Ronceverte Elementary, Special Education teacher Pam Hanna (center), and Speech-Language Pathologist Karen Isabell (right). Photo courtesy of Guet. |
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