The Ellijay City Council welcomed two new members at its first meeting of 2024.
New mayor pro tem Claudia Penland and councilmember Thomas Griffith were elected to their first terms in November. They, along with Mayor Al Hoyle and returning councilmembers Tom Crawford, Al Fuller and Kevin Pritchett, were sworn in for their terms by Probate Judge Scott Chastain prior to Monday’s council meeting.
Both of the new councilmembers are employed by the local school system. Griffith is the system’s director of facilities and maintenance. Also a residential general contractor, he previously served on the Ellijay Historic Preservation Commission. Penland is a teacher at Clear Creek Middle School and previously served on Ellijay’s planning and zoning board.
“I want to welcome both (new members) and welcome all of you (returning councilmembers) back and thank you for your service. I look forward to working with you,” said Hoyle as the meeting began.
A light agenda was before the council, with only one item at hand and a brief public hearing during a workshop before the meeting.
In that public hearing, Julianne Meadows, of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission, briefed the councilmembers and mayor about an upcoming update of the joint comprehensive plan between Gilmer County, Ellijay and East Ellijay.
The plan, which outlines community needs and objectives in several areas including economic development, work programs, broadband services and land use, is updated every five years. The Georgia Planning Act of 1989 requires local governments to update their comprehensive plans every five years to maintain eligibility for state loans, grants and permits.
Steering committee members will be appointed by the cities and county, then meet numerous times before the plan update deadline of Oct. 31, noted Meadows. The steering committee meetings, which have yet to be scheduled, will be open to the public, she added.
“If you’re interested in serving on one of those committees, if you live in the county, contact the county commissioners. If you live in East Ellijay, contact the East Ellijay mayor or city council. If you live in Ellijay, contact us at City Hall,” said Hoyle.
For the lone agenda item, councilmembers approved the addition of Jeff Dill to the city’s planning and zoning board. Dill, who also ran for city council in 2023, fills the seat previously held by Penland.