By TOM YANCEY

Staff Writer

Two new members of the Baileyton Planning Commission took their posts Thursday evening, succeeding two long-time members who were resigning from the commission for health reasons.

Mayor Tommy Casteel appointed Mary Ann Hall and Eugene Britton to fill the seats.

The mayor said longtime planning commission secretary Lucille Pierce had asked to resign a year ago, and Marvin Loftis, who also has served for 20 years, wanted to step down as well.

"We appreciate everything they've done," the mayor said. "They've been a big help to the Town of Baileyton over the years," he said, and will be missed.

Pierce said in a telephone interview Friday that she began scaling back her activities after breaking a hip. She said Loftis suffered a heart attack that has caused other health problems.

Wanda Sensabaugh, who was Baileyton's Town Recorder for many years, said in a separate telephone interview that both Pierce and Loftis were on the planning commission when she came to work in 1989, soon after the planning commission was created.

Sensabaugh praised Pierce and Loftis, saying they have contributed a lot to the town.

Hall, Britton Appointed

Speaking of Hall and Britton, the new appointees, Mayor Casteel said, "I've known both of them all my life, and they're good people. ... They'll use good judgment."

They will join the Baileyton Planning Commission's other members: Chairman Rob Bailey, Alderman Don Kilday and Tommy Sensabaugh.

Hall resides inside Baileyton's town limits, the mayor said, and Britton lives within the town's 20-year growth area, a location which also qualifies him to serve.

Hall, whose maiden name was Bailey, was born in Baileyton and now is employed by Forward Air Corporation. She has been active in the Baileyton School parent-teacher organization and booster club, and in Baileyton United Methodist Church.

Britton, who is also a Baileyton native, is a lineman with the Greeneville Light & Power System.

Charles Anderson, Baileyton's state-contract planner, presented Hall and Britton with copies of the planning commission handbook, and encouraged them to begin reading it.

Mayor Casteel said he had asked Hall to serve as secretary, a role which involves some extra work because the secretary is the official who signs most records and subdivision plats.

Anderson suggested that it might be better to ask someone with some experience, but the mayor said he thought Hall would be the best choice.

At that point, Kilday made a motion to elect her secretary, and it was approved unanimously.

Before adjourning, the board engaged in a general discussion of zoning for about 15 minutes, mostly to provide Hall and Britton with background information on situations they may have to consider as members of the commission.