Haggard elected chairman of downtown association

By Lisa Majors-Duff

As her first official action, Haggard is heading the effort to create the new organization's bylaws, mission statement, needs assessment and other items of business. Assisting with the association's organizational effort are Chairman-elect Judy LaPoint of Judy's Bridal, David Kelly of Smoky Mountain Paint Center, Heather Ferguson of Blackrock Outdoor and SPIR Executive Director Richard McHargue.

Also at the Jan. 23 meeting, McHargue explained that SPIR has teamed up with Western Carolina University's Mountain Resource Center to conduct a survey to assess economic development and business investment in downtown Sylva. All downtown business owners can expect to receive the survey in the mail in the coming weeks, he said.

"Everyone is urged to fill (the surveys) out, as they are key to future decisions that will be made on downtown development," McHargue said. "It is highly important for local officials to have the knowledge necessary to make appropriate decisions for our community's future."

The next meeting of the association will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Sylva Town Hall. Agenda items will include a discussion of the proposed bylaws and needs assessment. The process of developing a mission statement will also be addressed, along with a calendar of meetings and different business owners who would be willing to serve as hosts.

"Please make every effort to attend our next meeting and come with your ideas, visions and dreams," Haggard said. "I look forward to working with each of you to help make Sylva a better place."

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