“I love my McCaysville,” Beaver says at last meeting

  • Sue Beaver is shown at the December 12 meeting of the McCaysville City Council as she completed her second, four-year term. She decided earlier this year she would not seek re-election
    Sue Beaver is shown at the December 12 meeting of the McCaysville City Council as she completed her second, four-year term. She decided earlier this year she would not seek re-election
  • Sue Beaver was honored for her years of dedication by fellow McCaysville city officials at the December meeting of the city council. Shown following the presentation are, from left, front Beaver, Mayor Thomas Seabolt, and Councilman Larry Collis; and, back, City Attorney Cortney Stuart, City Clerk Nancy Godfrey, Coucilwomen Gilita Carter and Susan Kiker, Councilman Jason Woody and Police Chief Michael Earley.
    Sue Beaver was honored for her years of dedication by fellow McCaysville city officials at the December meeting of the city council. Shown following the presentation are, from left, front Beaver, Mayor Thomas Seabolt, and Councilman Larry Collis; and, back, City Attorney Cortney Stuart, City Clerk Nancy Godfrey, Coucilwomen Gilita Carter and Susan Kiker, Councilman Jason Woody and Police Chief Michael Earley.
  • Sue Beaver, left, was specific in her instructions to Billy Wayne Chastain, who will take her seat on the McCaysville City Council in January. Councilwoman Gilita Carter seemed to enjoy Beaver’s orders to the new council member.
    Sue Beaver, left, was specific in her instructions to Billy Wayne Chastain, who will take her seat on the McCaysville City Council in January. Councilwoman Gilita Carter seemed to enjoy Beaver’s orders to the new council member.

    Sue Beaver’s eight years of service on the McCaysville City Council were recognized when her fellow council members, other city officials and employees, and a handful of residents wished her well following her last council meeting.

    The Tuesday night, December 12, meeting marked her last after she said earlier this year she would not seek re-election but retire from the council at the end of this, her second term.

    Holding back tears, Beaver said, “It’s been a good, good experience. I love my McCaysville.”

    She said her hearing has forced her decision. “I want to hear Jason...but I can’t,” she explained, speaking of Councilman Jason Woody who sits at the opposite end of the council’s meeting table.“It’s not fair” to ask everyone to repeat things, she said.

    Beaver talked of improvements the city has seen, and how she is especially proud of the park upgrades and beautification efforts that have taken place.

    Looking back over her two terms on the council, Beaver applauded the council as a group of professionals, and had special words of praise for City Clerk Nancy Godfrey who the city “could not do without.”

    Beaver’s passions have been cleaning up and beautifying the city and making sure improvements happened at the Toccoa River Park.

    In March 2023, she was presented a sign that hangs on the park’s new, main pavilion recognizing her as always being a staunch supporter of beautifying and improving the park.

    She was presented a special plaque recognizing her dedication to the city and its citizens at the end of the council meeting.

    Zach Welch, who worked closely with Beaver, praised her efforts. “She’s always been an advocate for our community,” he said, and described her as a long time friend. “I’ve never heard her say anything but kind words,” he said.

    “She knew she was a voice for the people. She didn’t just vote her likes and dislikes,” he said.

    And there was still passion in her voice as she spoke to Billy Wayne Chastain who was in the audience and will take over her seat in January. Pointing her finger at him, Beaver said, “You take care of my seat.” She also told him the kinds of flowers she expects to see planted along the banks of the Toccoa River.

    When Beaver first ran for a seat on the council in November 2015, she was the top vote getter with 103 supporters. Larry Collis, the only other member on the current council from that election, was elected the same year with 101 votes.