Remaining council members eye future of 13-year-old town in statement
Rob Hardy
Fontana Dam – Business rolled along as usual for the first 15 minutes of Friday's Town of Fontana Dam council meeting, the first since Feb. 26's gathering turned into a heated exchange between mayor Rob Hardy and Robin Turner with Fontana Ventures, LLC.
Hardy announced that the town's general fund balance had dipped to $43,657.45, with the utility fund sitting at just $288.85. The major point of contention between the town and Fontana Ventures has been the lack of payment over user fees, which Hardy revealed had escalated to an outstanding balance of $115,000. Fontana Dam's only source of income has been from the user fees, paid by the resort for services such as providing water/wastewater and – previous to the resort taking over the workload itself – trash pick-up.
There was even another water-loss update, as the town's relatively-new plant continues to report 80-85% losses from a mysterious point in the system – which was built during the construction of the dam in the 1940s. A $600,000 grant to upgrade portions of the water-line system from the Appalachian Regional Commission is Fontana's for the taking. Friday's meeting revealed that the town has now opened negotiations with Asheville-based McGill & Associates to replace Withers Ravenel as the project's engineer.
Just 12 minutes into the meeting, the council reached item No. 5 under "Discussion Items" on the agenda: "Retirement/resignations."
Things took a hard right turn from there, as Hardy, council member Sara Putnam Locke, town administrator Zelerie Rogers, finance officer Willa Mae Passmore (with Robbinsville's Precision Accounting) and town attorney John Henning, Jr. (with Asheville law office Campbell Shatley) all resigned from their respective posts over the remaining 6 ½ minutes of the proceedings.
This leaves just council members Thomas Byrd and Amanda Ryan to serve, as the fifth council seat has been vacant for quite some time. Byrd will act as mayor pro tempore.
Each of the departing personnel read a letter to explain the motive behind their decisions to leave, though Henning and Passmore were not present and restricted their letters to short, simple resignations.
Rogers exited the meeting immediately after reading her letter. She was the only member of the exodus to retire.
"It has been a great pleasure to be the Town of Fontana Dam's town administrator these past 10 years," Rogers said. "We've gone through many changes, both good and bad and I've done my best to advise council on the many issues we have faced.
"But I feel my time here is no longer beneficial to the town or to myself."
Locke just recently came back to the board, filling a mid-term vacancy.
"I love this town. I love this place. I am so proud to call Fontana Dam and Graham County, North Carolina my home," Locke said. "Thank you for the many wonderful years and the opportunity to serve my community."
Hardy finished out the list of exits, providing the most detailed explanation for his resignation.
"I didn't think it would go down like this, but that's the way it goes," Hardy began, before reading his letter. "I want to thank the citizens of Fontana Dam for initially electing me to two terms as a council member and later as mayor for three terms – a total cumulative council service of over 10 years.
"I also want to thank all the current and former council members, for their service to the town. With much regret, I am forced to resign as mayor of Town of Fontana Dam, due to insurmountable challenges, effective immediately. I wish the remaining council the best of luck in addressing the needs of the town going forward."
What's next?
In a Tuesday email sent to The Graham Star, Byrd issued a glimpse on what lies ahead for the Town of Fontana Dam.
"As mayor pro tempore, I must assume the responsibilities of the mayor until the council can appoint a mayor officially," Byrd began. "The council is working with the residents of the Town of Fontana Dam to ensure an orderly transition of the town’s government through petition. There will be no disruption of services or utilities.
"The Town of Fontana Dam is steadfastly committed to our goals for numerous infrastructure projects, including the water and wastewater systems. The power distribution system rebuild is on schedule for completion by the end of the year, and our fiber network rebuild is on track for completion in early 2026. The town looks forward to providing public services and programming for the 2025 summer season, including the pool, Fourth of July celebrations, and more public events.
"With the support of the residents and businesses of Fontana Dam, we will maintain our rapid pace of innovation and improvements to the area. We are proud of this region and Graham County’s recovery initiatives post-Helene. No storm can stop our growth as one of the best places to live, work and vacation in America."
Byrd also addressed Friday's departures.
"I extend my gratitude to Rob Hardy and the former members of the town council who dedicated their efforts to enhancing the well-being of the citizens of this town," said Byrd.
N.C. General Statue 160A-101(5) states that a council "shall consist of any number of members not less than three, nor more than 12." A quorum (majority) is also required to conduct town business; in the case of Fontana's council, that would constitute at least three present members.
Along with the Town of Lake Santeetlah, Fontana Dam will hold its municipal election Nov. 4.
The next Fontana Dam council meeting will be at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16.