MOUNT AIRY — The town of Mt. Airy will have a change in leadership when Adam Tullis takes the mayor’s seat next month.
Tullis, who ran unopposed in the November election, will succeed Mayor Ray McAllister, whose tenure is coming to an end.
McAllister’s lone term as mayor capped off a 29-year career with Mt. Airy that shaped nearly every aspect of the small Habersham County town. A lifelong resident and 14-year member of the Mount Airy Town Council, Tullis said his priority is to preserve the community’s sense of stability.
“I think our citizens are pretty happy with the way things have been going,” Tullis said during Monday’s council meeting. “I’ll try to keep the status quo.”
Tullis credits Mount Airy’s success to steady growth, fiscal restraint, and close collaboration among the town’s elected officials. He said his administration will focus on maintaining low taxes while addressing long-term needs such as securing additional water-supply sources.
“It’s always a battle trying to keep taxes low,” he said. “We probably need to search for additional water supply sources, but overall, we have a pretty good balance of things in the town.”
A familiar face at city hall and in the community, Tullis emphasized continuity over change as he prepares to take the gavel in December.
“I just look forward to the opportunity to serve and take things one day at a time,” he said.
McAllister, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election, leaves office after guiding Mount Airy through decades of population growth and infrastructure improvements. A special election will be held to fill Tullis’s council seat, according to the town’s announcement last month.
This article has been updated to reflect that Ray McAllister served on the Mount Airy Town Council for 29 years, the last four as mayor.
