Candidate profile: Shaw says council seat is ‘work,’ but worth it

By Mark Millican

Steve Shaw believes he has helped contribute to Eton’s growth in his eight years on the City Council — helping bring in sewer, a new shopping center and other businesses — but he thinks there is more to do.

“Annexation is something we need to be working on,” said Shaw, a two-term councilman who is seeking re-election on Nov. 3 for Eton’s Post 2. “I believe that will help bring more business into the city.”

He said the city would like to annex west to Highway 225, about three miles away, and north to Red Cut Road, which is about halfway to Crandall.

Shaw is being challenged by Donna Hogan, the wife of former Eton mayor Greg Hogan.

A Walker County native, Shaw moved to Eton 23 years ago after a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, setting down roots in the once-tiny municipality six miles above Chatsworth on busy Highway 411. He is a certified electrician, welder and mechanic who is the co-owner of Corner Service Center in Chatsworth. He and his wife, Martha, have a 16-year-old son, Justin, who is a junior at Murray County High School.

Shaw said there have been “a lot of changes” in Eton in the eight years he’s been in office.

“I went in at the same time as (Mayor) Billy (Cantrell) in 2000,” he said of his former fellow councilman. “Back then we had to borrow $75,000 (to run the city), and now we could loan money.”

The current budget for Eton is around $1.3 million. In 2002, the city operated on a $180,000 budget.

“We’ve brought in more businesses and more revenue,” Shaw said. “When city sewer came in (2003-2004) it really benefited us and drew a lot of business to Eton.”

Businesses that have taken advantage of sewer services include El Pueblito Mexican Restaurant, Living Well Pharmacy, Mountain Spirit package store, Living Well Pharmacy and the Sports Zone Bar and Grill.

Shaw said the approval of alcohol sales — voters approved liquor by the drink in 2004 — has also had a lot to do with the city’s growth. The license for package sales is $5,000 a year, and the license for pouring costs $2,500 annually. Income from alcohol sales in the form of taxes and licenses goes into a general fund and is disbursed to the city’s police, fire and public works departments, and also goes into events like the cruise-in, movies in the park and the country fair in the fall.

Shaw was asked why he wants to keep his seat.

“Why?” he replied. “I can tell you there’s no money in it — it’s about $300 a month before taxes. A lot of it to me is helping kids. At Christmastime I help do the light show (at the old Eton Elementary school), which the city purchased and owns now. I’m not the only one there, but I’m there the whole time. It’s things like this and other community events like the (motor)cycle cruise-in, the car show at the fair, the movies in the park and other events that make it worthwhile.

“But you have to work to do these things and pull in the businesses that help make it possible. I think the new grocery store (Super Saver on Highway 286) will help pull more business in, and we have a new fruit stand coming in that will also have a welcome center inside.”

Shaw said the Super Saver is about three weeks behind schedule because of the rainy weather, but a foundation has been laid and the store is expected to open in mid- to late November. The Trapper Jim Fruit Stand on Highway 411 south of town will have an area in one end of the building for use as a welcome center for Eton.

Shaw said he has an “open door” policy.

“I’m truthful and I’m honest and if I tell you I’m going to do something, I’ll do it,” he said. “If you talk to me, I’ll try to help you and take care of it. I’ve put a lot of time into the city, and that’s a good part of being self-employed.”