Lorraine Bennett • Progress Michael Castellano wanted to be sure the Town Council was on board with his plans for a Mardi Gras parade.
By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
The Hayesville Town Council briefly discussed a proposed budget for $316,369 for the coming fiscal year at the Monday meeting. They slated it for public hearing at the next council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 10.
Budget details will be published in the Clay County Progress in about two weeks.
The budget is down from the current fiscal year’s total of $361,545. Councilman Harry Baughn made the motion to approve the proposed budget and send it to public hearing. Councilman Austin Hedden offered the second.
The council’s regular Monday evening meeting was held at the Corner Coffee Shop because of the Republican run-off election.
During the 45-minute meeting the council voted to switch the telephone service provider for Town Hall from Frontier to BRMEMC/Ellijay Telephone Company. The new service will include a basic telephone line, unlimited long distance, voice mail and will allow the town to keep the same telephone number — all for a lesser fee.
Hedden made the motion to switch providers. Councilwoman Lauren Tiger offered the second.
Former New Orleans resident Michael Castellano dropped by the council meeting to discuss the Mardi Gras parade he would like to see rolling though Hayesville next spring.
“I came by to see if we’re on the same page and it’s a go for March 1,” he said. “If it’s snowing or freezing we’ll have a party in the Beal Center.”
Castellano said he did not want to spend his funds and order a container load of beads unless the town was OK with his moving ahead. The council told him to proceed with the project. Historic Hayesville Inc.’s Sandy Zimmerman said HHI approved the proposed parade as well.
At the March Town Council meeting where he first offered the idea, Castellano said he envisioned a “Moonshine Mardi Gras” event with king and queen, marching band, costumes, balloons and beads but no alcohol sold at the parade.
All proceeds from the event would go to benefit the town, he said, adding that he expects the first parade to be small to see if the idea catches fire. If it does, Castellano said he feels sure it could grow to be a major tourist attraction for the town and become an annual event.
In other discussion at Monday’s meeting, Mayor Joe Slaton said the town is about to take possession of property along Town Creek trail and the trail at Mayor’s Park is expected to be finished by the end of June.
Some questions were raised about the Bauer Cannabis sign displayed over a shop next to the Black Dog Tavern but nobody had any details. The enterprise belongs to Joel Bauer, who has a tattoo shop.
Sandy Zimmerman told the council the Centennial Exhibit was slated to open in mid-May but the roof developed a leak that required repairing.
“We hope to open maybe by the last Friday and Saturday in May,” she said. “We’re planning a two-day open house.”
She said conversations are underway about locating an ATM in a business on the square but she was not ready to reveal details.
The Peacock Playhouse has developed some issues with its roof and one of the bathrooms is being updated, Zimmerman said. All proceeds raised from the Trash to Treasure shop for the coming weeks through July 1 will be donated to the Peacock to help with their needed projects, she said.