Connie Gross
Phone (828) 479-3637

​Email: mayorconniegross@gmail.com

Mayor
​Hello, for those of you who do not know me, my name is Connie Gross.  My husband and I have owned several properties here in the Town of Lake Santeetlah for around 30 years.  I served as councilwoman for the Town of Lake Santeetlah from 2015-1017.   I am a retired real estate agent for a large company in Key Largo, Florida.  Prior to that, I owned and operated a hair salon there for over 16 years.  I served the public within Key Largo, Florida on the Volunteer Ambulance Corp as an EMT and on the board as the President.  I worked alongside my father to bring Advanced Cardiac Life Support to Monroe County Florida.  I currently represent Graham County for the regional library board.  The board covers 4 counties and includes 5 libraries and a book mobile.  I was on the Board of Directors for the Graham County Animal Advocates for 4 years until the organization was handed over to Graham County.  Along with rescuing animals, I planned events and organized fund raisers. 
I am the mother of three sons, 3 grandsons and one great grandson.  My husband Jack and I have been married for 46 years.  He is a retired firefighter/paramedic having served for 31 years.  One of the things I have always loved about Lake Santeetlah is the relaxed atmosphere.  I love the lake and am lucky enough to be able to cruise the lake almost every day. My dogs also enjoy the ride.  I am a member of Cedar Cliff Baptist Church.  I will pray for guidance and strength to fill the position of mayor every day.
My focus on the council will be on roads and the water system.  My goal is to speak to other town residents and provide an open and transparent council.  I am looking forward to hearing from all of you and providing a voice for all residents. 
My email address is Mayorconniegross@gmail.com.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Tina Emerson

Phone (704) 506-8168

​Email: tme2468@yahoo.com

Finance Officer
 Tina Emerson is a wife, mother and part time real estate and financial manager.  She was an economics major in college and worked in banking as a Branch Manager, a Loan Officer, and as a Termination Specialist with the Resolution Trust Corporation, a division of the FDIC, during the savings and loan crisis.  Tina is the loving mother of two grown children - a daughter in medical school and a son who is a financial analyst in NYC.  Tina is actively involved in a Labrador Retriever rescue, fostering many abandoned labs and fundraising for the rescue organization.
Tina has owned residences in Lake Santeetlah since 2014 and has been actively involved in the Town of Lake Santeetlah (TOLS) activities for several years before her election to the town council in November 2021.  She is looking forward to working with the TOLS council, staff and most importantly, to representing the homeowners and citizens of the Town of Lake Santeetlah with an honest, fair and transparent government.

 Ralph Mitchell 

Cell Phone: (419) 343-0347

Email: mitchellralphM479BN@gmail.com

Vice Mayor 

​Ralph Mitchel has owned his Lake Santeetlah home since 1976 and has watched the community grow through the years. Ralph was adopted at age 10. In his younger years, he was always a hard worker, working 2-3 jobs at a time. He served his country from 1951 to 1976 and retired as a warrant officer 4. Ralph was also a loving husband to his wife, Dolores Mitchell, for 66 years until her recent passing in November. Ralph and Dolores have 7 children, 12 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. Ralph and Dolores served their community as Christmas Angels for 59 years. Ralph has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. Ralph enjoyed flying and owning his plane in his younger years, which now resides in a museum. Ralph is also an avid car lover and has owned, in his lifetime, cars that most can only dream of seeing. In Ralph’s free time, he has enjoyed spending time on his boat, carpentry work, and world traveling. As a former business owner and retired Army officer, Ralph is dedicated to ensuring the viability and integrity of his community. 

Diana Simon
Phone (828) 346-0707

Email: halfmoonbay@mindspring.com

Councilmember

​​Diana has owned her Thunderbird Mountain home since 1990. Husband, Joe, and Diana became full time residents in 2016. Active in the Community, Diana serves as Chairperson of the TOLS Tourism Development Authority and volunteers with Graham County Revitalization Action Team to promote area tourism. She volunteers with the TPOA and is a TOLS Council Member.
 
Education background:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts from Valdosta State University
- Certificate of Computer Science, Web Development Specialist, from Chattahoochee Tech
 
Diana has thirty years experience in graphic design and computer production working with Fortune 500 corporations preparing annual reports and other marketing materials. Ten years working with Stein Communications as Pre-flight Computer Production Specialist of educational marketing materials for many universities, including American University of Law, Pace, DePaul, ASU, and Howard.
 
Her love of travel to Mexico became a hobby business of 25+ years representing vacation rentals in Akumal, a small Caribbean community. For thirteen years she managed and rented her own four bedroom beachfront home. Hospitality expanded to owning the highly regarded bed and breakfast, Mileybright Farmhouse, in Decatur, Georgia. Joe and Diana enjoyed hosting guests from around the world for ten years.

Jim Hager 

Phone (239) 293-7044

Email: jimdhager@gmail.com

​Council Member

​Mr. Hager has a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and a post-graduate Certificate in Community Development from the University of Louisville. Mr. Hager served as Mayor of Lake Santeetlah from 2015 until 2021.
During his time on the Council many accomplishments were achieved:
  • The Travel & Tourism Authority was established
  • With the assistance of Town Administrator Kim Matheson & Town Clerk Emily Hooper they were able to collect over $15,000 is past due water bills
  • Radio Read water meters were purchased and installed
  • The failing water system received over $350,000 in upgrades
  • Town audits showed improvement to the Town’s finances
  • The employment of Scott Kamps as our new Town Technician.
Mr. Hager serves as treasurer of Robbinsville United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Anne, have been Guardians Ad Litem for several years.  Jim served as Treasurer and Anne served as Chairperson on the Referendum Committee that successfully brought beer and wine sales to Robbinsville for the first time since 1948.
Mr. Hager, before retirement, worked for the Kentucky Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole where he managed the state’s largest District in Louisville Kentucky. His district was comprised of over 65 Parole Officers and 35 Administrative Staff. Mr. Hager served on the Louisville-Jefferson County Crime Commission and served on the Louisville Board of Health’s methadone advisory Board.
Mr. Hager served in the United States Army in 1969 & 1970. He was the Battalion Evacuation NCO, responsible for the evacuation of the sick and injured on the DMZ in Korea. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. Mr. Hager later enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard for two years and received the rank of Staff Sergeant.