Latest News, WV Press Videos

Williamson mayor resigns at packed meeting

Williamson Daily News photo by Kyle Lovern Williamson resident Shawn Williamson is shown addressing Mayor Steve Knopp and the City Council at Thursday night’s heated council meeting. The mayor, city clerk and city attorney announced they were resigning.
Williamson Daily News photo by Kyle Lovern
Williamson resident Shawn Williamson is shown addressing Mayor Steve Knopp and the City Council at Thursday night’s heated council meeting. The mayor, city clerk and city attorney announced they were resigning.

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. – Before a packed room, Williamson Mayor Steve Knopp announced he was resigning the office at Thursday night’s City Council meeting.

City Clerk Frances Frye and City Attorney Chris Younger also announce that they were resigning.

The Mayor and City Council, along with the Utility Board, had been under fire by concerned citizens over a proposal to raise the water and sewage rates.

The city owes Veolia, the company it contracts with to handle the water and street departments, more than $1.2 million.

Knopp was appointed mayor when former Mayor Darrin McCormick resigned after he pleaded guilty to federal charges involving his previous employer the Bank of Mingo.

The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. and was still going on at 9:00 p.m. as several citizens spoke out against the water increase and asked questions why the city had gotten into such dire financial shape.

At times the meeting became heated and the crowd was vocal. Knopp was obviously not pleased with some of the comments from many of those who attended the meeting.

Younger, a local attorney, has been with the city of Williamson for 25-years.

Frye had submitted her resignation at an earlier date. It was just approved at Thursday night’s meeting. She says she is stepping away because of health issues.

Mayor Knopp says he will stay on through the next city council meeting in September. Knopp also cited health reasons for his resignation.

The news of all the resignations comes on the heels of a 50 percent rate-hike increase request for sewer and water bills…

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

And get our latest content in your inbox

Invalid email address