HELEN — Serving the residents of Helen is nothing new for 2018 Mayor Jeff Ash, who was sworn in Tuesday afternoon.
Ash, who on the encouragement of city officials missed the first meeting of the year due to being at the Rose Bowl, accepted his oath of office from City Clerk Marilyn Chastain.
Ash has been serving the city since shortly after it became an Alpine Village.
“I started back in 1974,” Ash said. “I had a few vacant years here and there that I served on other boards, but none of my kids were born or anything when I took over as a commissioner under Bob Fowler on Jan. 1, 1974.”
Ash and Mayor Pro Tem Cinnamon Spurlock are the only two returning members of the city commission this year. They are joined by three new commissioners: Geneva S. Elwell, Steve Fowler and Lee Landress.
Ash credits the work of those who have served Helen, especially in recent years, with the strength of the city.
“I think the last six years has produced a momentum that people are more interested in their property,” Ash said. “People are beginning to understand more of the new banking philosophies that are being used. The best thing I see is growth spurs growth. People see new capital investments being built in a particular municipality, and it starts them asking why. We’ve got the numbers to prove why. Growth in sales tax, hotel/motel tax – all the trends are there for us to just keep on trucking. That’s what we’re going to do.”
