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Hartwell City Manager Jon Herschell (left) stands with newly sworn in council members Richard Sheller (center) and Zach Adams (right). Sheller and Adams won their seats in a runoff election Dec. 5. -
Rev. Richard Sheller (center) was sworn in to his new position as a Hartwell City Council member. The oath was administered by City Manager Jon Herschell (left) with Sheller’s wife Judy (right) holding the Bible. -
With his wife Emilee (right) holding the Bible, Zach Adams (center) was sworn in to his new position as a Hartwell City Council member by City Manager Jon Herschell (left).
On the evening of Jan. 8, Hartwell City Council ushered in the new year by swearing in two new members, social worker Zach Adams and Rev. Richard Sheller. The new council’s first meeting of 2024 was succinct and efficient, as members approved the Veterans Day parade and the official zoning map before adjournment.
Mayor Brandon Johnson called the meeting to order and immediately invited the two new councilmen to be sworn in by city manager Jon Herschell. Sheller’s wife, Judy, stood by him and held the Bible as he took his oath. Adams was likewise accompanied by his wife, Emilee. Family and friends filled the room to support the two men.
Adams is filling the seat vacated by longtime councilman Tony Haynie, who is now retired, with Sheller replacing Stephen Ayers.
After the opening prayer and pledge, the mayor congratulated the new members.
“Any time you put yourself out there to run…you never know what the results are going to be. I think you will thoroughly enjoy your time here on city council,” Mayor Johnson said. “Working with our administrative team is a pleasure every day…We know you’re going to do a great job.”
The mayor then invited Herschell to update the council on the city’s two major ongoing projects, the fire station and sewer plant. Herschell stated that as of progress meetings last week, both projects are on time and on budget.
The council approved the Veterans Day parade in advance, which will be put on by the American Legion as in 2023. The requested date and time is Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at 3 p.m., with petitions and permits to solidify the event to still be received.
The mayor then invited Jason Ford, Economic and Community Development Director for the city, to present the official zoning map. Ford explained that each year, the map must be updated to reflect any changes (three changes were made over the course of last year). Mayor Johnson clarified that they were not approving any expansion of city limits. City attorney Rob Leverett added that “the changes shown on this map are not changes we’re implementing tonight; we’re just updating the map to reflect changes we made during the last year based on applications…it’s just annual housekeeping.” The zoning map was then approved.
During closing remarks, Tray Hicks discussed the importance of the city being able to control and plan its growth, and welcomed Adams and Sheller. Patrick Guarnella, Mike MacNabb, and Dan Leard also warmly received the new councilmen.
“I’d just like to thank my family and my friends who helped me on this journey, [from] back in August when I mentioned [running for city council] to my family to now,” Adams stated. “So I thank God, I thank my family and my wife, and I thank everybody who has supported me.”
Similarly, Sheller expressed his gratitude.
“I thank God for the opportunity to serve the citizens here in Hartwell. I want to thank my wife, my family, and especially my church family and friends,” he said. “Thank you so very much for believing in me as I try to embark on this job representing the citizens of Hartwell.”
The first city council meeting of 2024 was thus adjourned, with the next meeting to be Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.