Baugh wins planning appointment

SUSAN BAUGH

The Anderson City Council unanimously approved Councilman James Yarborough's selection of Susan Baugh for Planning Commissioner Feb. 3. Baugh's first planning commission meeting was scheduled for Feb. 9, but the meeting was canceled for lack of agenda items.

Deni Jordan was the only other candidate for the position, Yarbrough said.

"I think picking either one would have been fine," Yarbrough said, explaining how both candidates were well-suited for the position. "Susan has Anderson at heart. She's lived in Anderson all her life. She has a desire to really work with the City of Anderson. She has always expressed her desire to be apart of future decision-making. I've known her for years."

"It's something I've been interested in for a long time, but haven't been able to do because of Les' position," Susan Baugh said, explaining that while her husband, Les Baugh, was on city council, it would not be appropriate to run for a position on the planning commission. "We didn't assume it was something allowed."

"I would love to see some more light industry come into the city, and more boutiques in the mixed-use area," Baugh said of her preference for future growth in Anderson.

As for changes in the city, she wants to see the collection of broken down vehicles on West Center Street cleared. Instances where the shops have a high turn-around is fine, she said, but some of the shops have vehicles sitting for long periods of time.

"I don't have a building background," Baugh said, "but I like to read so I'm definitely going to read whatever I can. When [Les Baugh] brought home the code book in the ‘80s, I read the whole thing. I thought it was very interesting. It had all the city ordinances in it."

Also a business owner, the Baughs operated Baugh Humbug.

Baugh, 53, has been married to Les Baugh for 34 years. She is a graduate of Anderson Union High School Class of 1974.