Christy Kay, who has deep roots dating back five generations in Fannin County, has announced her candidacy for Post 3 on the Blue Ridge City Council.
Kay is a Fannin County native who emphasizes her experience and knowledge of the challenges and concerns Blue Ridge has seen throughout the years. It is “with this experience and genuine love for her hometown,” Kay announced her candidacy.
Kay and her family have started several businesses over the past 68 years, believing in quality over quantity.
She is the granddaughter of the late Robert M. Thomas, who established Thomas Insurance Agency in 1953. Her mother, Nancy T. Kay, worked and maintained the business for over 45 years.
Her grandmother, Betty Lue Thomas, and aunt, Cindy Lue Thomas, opened a fun women’s store, Cindy’s First Impression and Merle Norman Studio.
Kay’s father, Dwight Kay, served in the Army during the Vietnam War and returned to work for Georgia Power for nearly 44 years.
Kay’s brother, Thomas Kay, and his wife, Kristin, are both Blue Ridge natives and are now raising their four children, Emma, Khloe, Ellie, and Kamren, here. Thomas works for the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and Kristin has recently gone back to teaching.
Jake, Kay’s fiancé, is a welder and pipefitter out of Local 43 in Chattanooga and is part owner in their small business, kAlon Clothing.
Following in her family’s footsteps, Kay has opened two small businesses in Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge Jerky and kAlon. She says tourism has allowed her to invest even more into her hometown, be with her family and create more jobs for the local economy, giving children a better education, school, and recreation facilities.
Kay says she wants to “help find a solution and help the local economy grow and strengthen our small-town values.” She says she is willing to work towards helping make all of those things happen.