Hayesville councilman resigns

Will Penland's residence moving out of city limits

  • Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Hayesville Town Councilman Will Penland attended his last council meeting as a councilman. He is moving outside of town and gave his resignation. Mayor Harry Baughn presented a small cake to Penland, along with a card.
    Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Hayesville Town Councilman Will Penland attended his last council meeting as a councilman. He is moving outside of town and gave his resignation. Mayor Harry Baughn presented a small cake to Penland, along with a card.

    The Town of Hayesville will need a replacement councilperson with the resignation of Will Penland during the Tuesday, March 9 meeting. Penland, who is also a teacher at Hayesville High School, gave his resignation at the end of the meeting because his family has built a house outside of town and they will be moving in April. Council laws require members of the town council to reside inside the town limits.

    Mayor Harry Baughn presented Penland with a cake and card while thanking Penland for the time he has served the town council. Penland said he has enjoyed his time on the council, calling it “bittersweet.” There was no discussion during the meeting about a plan to fill Will Penland’s position on the Hayesville Town Council. There are two other councilmen, Joe Slaton and Austin Hedden.

    Other business of the night included:

    • A review of job descriptions for town staff.

    • A solicitation of bids for the public restrooms to be cleaned.

    • A bid for mowing around town hall.

    • An explanation of Hope4NC, which is servicing western North Carolina.

    • Planning and zoning amendments.

    • Reports by Mayor Baughn and Zoning Administrator George Schaaf.

    • Board of Adjustment meeting will be held Thursday, March 11.

    Because Hayesville Town Council was held on Tuesday, March 9, rather than the normal second Monday meeting time, the complete story will run in the March 18 issue of the Clay County Progress.