Mayor & Council

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City Council

Mayor

H. Neal Florence was born in Cedartown, Georgia, in 1951. In 1976, he graduated from the University of Georgia Pharmacy School. He worked as a pharmacist for Rhyne Bros. Pharmacy from 1976 until 1979. In 1979, he purchased Medi-Thrift Pharmacy, which he operates with his wife, Carolyn. The Florences have two sons, Mason and Kevin. Mason is married to Rachel M. and Kevin married to Rachel H. He has served as mayor since 1989. He attends First Baptist Church, has been a member since 1977 and has served as a deacon since 1996. He is chairman of the Georgia Pharmacy Association's Governmental Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Service Board of Directors for the Bank of LaFayette.

Council Member Ward 1

Andy Arnold is a LaFayette High School graduate and life-long Walker County resident. A city resident for more than 20 years, he has served on the City Council since 2002. He has been teaching and coaching at LaFayette High for 20 years. He earned a bachelor's and master's degree at Jacksonville State University. He, wife Teresa and their sons, Cameron, Caleb and Carson, are actively involved at First Baptist Church of LaFayette, where he is a deacon and teaches Sunday school.

Council Member Ward 2

Norm Hodge, a Walker County native, teaches social studies and coaches at LaFayette High School. The LHS graduate earned a bachelor of science degree in social studies education at Georgia Southern University and a masters of education at the University of Alabama. He has two children, Neeley and Kelsey. He enjoys golf, gardening and reading. His goals as a council member are to continue with streetscape projects, upgrading the Water and Sewerage Department, and improving sidewalks and roads.

Council Member Ward 3

William J. " Bill" Craig has lived in LaFayette since 1965. Born in Johnson City, Tennessee, Craig earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from East Tennessee State University. He was manager of Jefferson Furniture in LaFayette and then promoted to supervise seven stores in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. His business experience also includes part ownership of the LaFayette Ford dealership and serving as administrator of North Georgia Home Health in Fort Oglethorpe. He was regional marketing director for First American Home Health, which had 17,500 employees and offices in six states. He is second vice chairman on Hutcheson Medical Center's Board of Directors. He is secretary-treasurer for the Walker County Development Authority. He is a member of the Lions Club. He serves on the council's finance and executive committees. He is the City of LaFayette representative for the Coosa Valley RDC Board of Directors. He previously served on the city council for Ward 4. He and wife Marj have been married since 1956 and have three daughters: Amy, Laura and Pam.

Council Member Ward 4

Eric Tallent was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1970 and has lived in LaFayette since 1983. He graduated from LaFayette High School in 1988. He worked for Imperial Cup in the maintenance department and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy before being employed with the Georgia State Patrol in 2001. He serves as a Trooper First Class at Post No. 41 LaFayette. He looks forward to representing city residents on the council.

Council Member At Large

Wayne Swanson was born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1951. He moved to LaFayette later that year and graduated from LaFayette High School in 1970. In 1972 he was hired by the City of LaFayette as manager of the LaFayette Golf Course. He left the golf course in 1986 to open his own business. He has served on the council since 1997. He is employed by Restaurant Enterprises.