Stone sworn in as vice mayor

Black Mountain’s new vice mayor has a familiar name.

Alderman Ryan Stone, sworn in as vice mayor during the aldermen’s meeting last week, is the grandson of the late Dick Stone, who served as Black Mountain mayor from 1957-1975.

Ryan Stone was nominated for the position, which assumes mayoral duties in the event that the mayor is absent, by fellow alderman Maggie Tuttle. The board responded with a unanimous vote, affirming the nomination of Stone, who was elected to his seat in 2013.

“I’m very humbled and honored that they (the board) have the confidence in me to serve in this position,” he said.

“And I’m looking forward to continuing to work with not only my fellow board members and town staff but also the citizens this upcoming year.”

Stone also said that he is grateful for the support that the community has shown his family throughout the years.

Also taking oaths at the meeting were Tuttle, (the previous vice mayor), Don Collins and Larry Harris, each sworn in for second terms after being re-elected in November.

New business for the board included designating the pathway between Europa and Veranda Cafe, on Cherry Street, “Howachyn Walk” in honor of Dan and Tekla Howachyn.

“They did the iron work and some of the art work along there,” town manager Matt Settlemyer told the board, who voted unanimously to approve the measure.

Additionally, the board adopted an amendment to the land use code that effectively designates hoop structures as accessory properties.

The structures were distinct from greenhouses, which were already classified as accessory properties under the former ordinance.