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Hayesville once again has a full town council. Lauren Tiger was sworn in as the council's newest member during its April meeting on Monday. She fills the vacancy left by the departure of Will Penland, who resigned in March due to moving outside the city limits.
Tiger grew up in Hayesville and returned to the area four years ago after spen
ding more than a decade in Smyrna, Ga. Her parents, Rob and Holly Tiger, own Tiger's Store and Chinquapin's Ice Cream and Soda Bar on the town square. "Keeping the town and its history in check is a big deal to me," Lauren said. "I know my dad has worked hard on that and my mom does. It just means a lot to be able to serve in that capacity to keep things going, keep the town beautiful and make sure we continue to grow as a town but maintain the history." Tiger was nominated by council member Austin Hedden, who described her as "someone who has a similar vision and generations of understanding of the town."
During the meeting, the council approved a $3,000 bid to pave a parking area for a two-vehicle electric charging station. The station will be located beside the public restrooms on the town square. "I don't think you need the Ritz-Carlton of chargers, but you definitely need to have something that's more inviting than a gravel lot," Hedden said. Mayor Harry Baughn pointed out that the town is still aiming for a grant to cover the cost of the charging station and has already received a $5,000 private, anonymous donation toward the project. "You can actually say this paving is already covered," Baughn said, adding that electric vehicles are "the future."
Other notes from the April meeting: • The council accepted a $6,300 bid for street and drainage repairs on Curtis Street near Black Dog Tavern. • The council adopted a series of state-mandated zoning ordinances. • Baughn asked for and received the council's approval to pursue a grant to refurbish the old Hayesville Town Hall.