Farewell, Mayor Varnadore!
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The November election signals the start of a new era in the City of Baxley. The current Mayor, Tim Varnadore, was born and raised in Baxley, working for Bell South / AT&T for 35 and a half years. He was a part-time fireman for the city of Baxley from 1986 until 1997.
According to Varnadore, every little boy at some point wonders what it would be like to be the Mayor of their hometown. After serving as a councilman for 20 years beginning in 1997, he wanted the challenge of serving as Mayor. He enjoyed campaigning and did most of it door-to-door, happily accepting invitations to attend, break bread, and learn the needs of those around him.
The week after he qualified for mayor, Hurricane Irma hit Baxley, causing widespread flooding and power outages across the region. Hoping this was no bad omen, Varnadore took office in 2018, filling the seat left by Steve Rigdon, who served for 20 years. Varnadore speaks highly of Rigdon, saying that while many in public office become complacent, Rigdon survived even the tightest races. “He was a very good man. I learned a lot from Steve.”
The week after Mayor Varnadore was sworn into office for his first term in 2018, the biggest snowfall that had ever hit Baxley fell, creating both a beautiful landscape and a logistical nightmare.
Though the Mayor is often considered the face of the city, the day-to-day job rarely involves voting, but instead serving as a voice of reason and mediator between six elected decision makers, taking a neutral stance whenever possible. “I feel very honored that people wanted me to be mayor. I hope that history will treat me well about my time that I’ve been here,” he says.
His favorite holiday season is Christmas, inspired by the Sears Roebuck catalogues he spent hours flipping through as a child. Another event he enjoys is the lighting of the Christmas tree. He hopes his final Christmas in office is bigger and better than ever before, with all the beauty of a Hallmark holiday.
Many significant projects and events were stalled due to the unprecedented nature and arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite stringent social distancing efforts and shutdowns in 2020, the outbreak inevitably spread throughout Appling County the following year. The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, one of Varnadore’s favorite events, was among many canceled during this time.
While city meetings have never been much of a spectator event, the Mayor’s approachability allows these meetings to run smoothly and without a hitch. The city has managed to generate enough revenue to keep the millage rate flat and beat the curve of inflation without cutting services. “I’m not a person who raises my voice,” he says. “If I ever raise my voice, I’m screaming because something’s after me.”
His greatest accomplishments were not merely line items on an agenda, but proclamations to raise awareness for small children with brain cancer. He’s even made a habit of officially recognizing the milestones of his constituents, particularly elders. “I think if you lived to be 100 years old, you need a visit from the mayor,” he says. While he is unfortunately unable to attend everyone’s birthday celebration, he still enjoys making a difference in ways both big and small.
The hardest part of the job was bidding farewell to beloved council members, several of whom have since passed away.
The most significant challenge in the last year was the catastrophic landfall of Hurricane Helene. “I know what the people went through,” says Varnadore. “I had water damage, structure damage, roof damage, floor damage, everything.” His initial thought when he walked outside and surveyed the damage was the casualty count. His first order of business was to clear a path toward the hospital, anticipating many injuries. His second order of business was ensuring access to essential services like water and sewer. Recovery efforts would not have been possible without the road-running of his team at the city. “It was kind of like scoring a touchdown,” he says.
Now, he’s ready to spend his retirement hunting, fishing, and following his granddaughters wherever their cheerleading and tumbling classes take them. “I’ve lived the dream,” he says.
Over the last eight years, the city’s population has almost exactly doubled, partially through annexations, leaving big shoes to fill. “I feel like I’ve served my time. I’ve made my mark. I’ve got us going where I think we should be, and I think it’s time for a younger person with a vision can add on to my vision. They’re going to have different ideas and different things, and I think that’s good. Everything that I have done has not been perfect, but I think I’ve got a foundation built here, and I’ve got a team in the city that actually loves the community, works for the community, and I think if we continue down that path, we will grow.”
