Politics

Weedman hands off gavel to new mayor

Nick Weedman hands off the gavel to new Flat Rock Mayor Anne Coletta.

By Bill Moss, Published: December 16, 2024

FLAT ROCK — Nick Weedman, who served on the Flat Rock Village Council for 21 years, and the past five as the top elected executive, presided over his last meeting as mayor on Thursday before handing off the gavel to Anne Coletta, who was elected by voters on Nov. 5.

During a reception after the meeting adjourned, Weedman credited his council colleagues, the village staff and sheriff’s office and firefighters for backing up his leadership.

“We’ve gotten great support from all the fire departments,” he said. “We have three that cover Flat Rock. Having this one right here makes it very convenient.”

One example of over-the-top customer service happened recently.

“There was a lady in Kenmure who got a water leak on the upper level of her house, and she called the plumber — this was on a Friday — and the plumber said ‘I can’t come out until Monday.’ She says, ‘What am I supposed to do?’ So she ended up calling 911, and Blue Ridge Station 2 responded,” he said.

“Not only did they cut the water off, but they stayed and they cleaned all the water out of the upper level. When they went downstairs, they found water coming through a light fixture. They stayed there and cleaned all of that. I told them on Tuesday night at the at the annual Christmas function, that’s over and above the call of duty.”

Sheriff Lowell Griffin was among a good turnout of more than a dozen law officers and firefighters to show their thanks.

“I just formed a special, special friendship with Mayor Weedman,” Griffin said. “We could literally talk to each other on a basis that that didn’t have to be completely — I don’t want to say it wasn’t professional — but we could have frank conversations. That’s something you don’t always enjoy.”

The Village Hall meeting room where Weedman did so much administrative work, especially in budget and financing, will display a permanent tribute to his service.

A resolution naming the “Nick Weedman Assembly Room” cites his five years as a council member, 11 as vice mayor and five as mayor. “In addition to these positions, Nick Weedman used his extensive corporate and financial expertise” as the town’s longtime finance officer, the resolution said, thanking him for his commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility.”

Weedman, a fit 86-year-old, was known on the council and around the county for his rat-terrier-like pursuit of delinquent property taxpayers; along with the village’s full-time tax collectors, he had achieved a 100 percent tax collection, a rare achievement for a municipality.

Among Weedman’s other achievements was his success in negotiating dog control coverage in the village with Sheriff Lowell Griffin after former sheriff Charlie McDonald refused. In a show of support and goodwill, the village bought the sheriff’s office two K9s plus related equipment and supplies. He cited the Park at Flat Rock as his most visible and appreciated achievement.