![Heather Hathaway is sworn in as the city's council member for Ward 1. [ALICIA ADAMS | Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-5e2fb0fa-4c3f-1528-e053-0100007f653f-4a5d5dee-scaled.jpeg)
MILTON — At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Heather Hathaway, 29, was voted by the council to fill the Ward 1 seat that has been vacant since Ashley Lay's October resignation.
After listening to speeches from each of the five candidates, Councilman Alan Lowery made the motion to appoint Hathaway to the position. Councilman Jeff Snow seconded the motion, and the motion passed with only Councilwomen Sharon Holley, Pat Lunsford and Mary Ellen Johnson opposed.
Hathaway has grown up in the area and she graduated from Pace High School. She moved to the city of Milton four years ago with her husband, Bryan, and her son, Liam.
Hathaway is the assistant office supervisor at the Santa Rosa County Tax Collector’s office, where she has worked for approximately six years. Before her appointment, Hathaway said if she were elected, she would not vote with any group or focus on anything other than what she feels is best for the people she represents.
"I feel like my skills, leadership and experience can help make a difference, and I am willing to put in the necessary effort to make that happen," Hathaway said.
Councilwoman Sharon Holley asked Hathaway what her greatest asset would be to the council, to which she said her leadership skills. She said her experience working with the public for approximately 12 years would benefit the city.
After the vote was official, the council took a five-minute recess and Hathaway’s term began; city staffers approached her, introduced themselves and welcomed her aboard.
"I’m a little overwhelmed, but I’m very excited and I know that I am a great asset to the city and I know I will do a great job," Hathaway said.
Hathaway said she didn’t think she would win the seat, as she was up against a previous council member, Jimmy Messick. Prior to the vote, many residents approached the council and voiced their support for Messick.
"I want to help preserve the history and help make Milton grow," Hathaway said. "There’s so much potential here, especially being along the river, and the history that’s here. I think there’s a lot of potential here, and I want to be a part of that.
"I want to help make history."
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'I want to help make history'