Memories of being a 10-year-old riding his bicycle to the store in downtown Gray was a catalyst for one candidate running for city council.
Billy Horne qualified last month to run for the city’s District 4 council seat. He is challenging the incumbent, Terry Favors, who has held the position since 2010.
District 4 includes the Turnerwoods Road area, which is where Horne grew up. He said that 10-year-old boy never thought he would own a downtown business or run for seat on city council.
In a Sept. 18 interview, Horne said he appreciates all the support he is receiving. He said he loves living in a small town with his wife Paige, and this is where they hope to raise a family someday.
“There is nothing like the feeling of safety we have living and working here,” he said.
Billy and Paige have been the owners of Cone Crazy on Main since August of 2024 and a well-tap business since 2023.
Horne graduated from Jones County High School in 2004 with one of his first jobs at Zaxby’s and then UPS in Macon. After eight years at UPS, he took the chance of auditioning for the movie “The Crazies” that was filmed in Macon. He got a job as an extra and loved it.
“Slowly I went into the business full time and worked in the film industry for seven or eight years,” he said.
The candidate said he worked for the “Walking Dead” for four years as a production assistant. During that time, he was also an extra on the show playing the part of ‘a savior,’ one of the villains.
“I got my foot in the door in front of the camera and then started in special effects, being a stand-in, and production assistant,” he recalled.
Horne said the pandemic halted production and ultimately ruined it.
“COVID shut everything down. When we came back, we had to wear masks and do all the testing,” he said. “It took all the fun out of it.”
The candidate mostly commuted to Atlanta. He said he and Paige lived in Macon for a couple of years but missed their small town. He said they have no desire to live anywhere else and made the decision to start their own businesses.
Horne said he has been watching what the Gray Downtown Development Authority has been doing and all the Main Street activities.
“Cone Crazy would not be here without them,” he said. “I want Gray to continue to grow and help with that as much as possible.”
The candidate said he feels like city council could use a fresh business perspective.
The candidate said he loves the ice cream shop.
“Loud, happy kids; what’s not to like?” he added.
Horne said the shop hires high school students to work in the afternoons, which gives him and Paige some free time. He said if elected, he does not have any big changes in mind, but he would like to bring more small businesses to Gray.
“I don’t want people to have to leave Gray for anything. I’d also like for us to get to the point that others will come here for day trips. That would mean more kid-friendly businesses and common areas,” the candidate said.
Horne said he enjoys the downtown festivals and all the support they give local businesses. He would like to have more concerts and downtown activities. He would also like the noise ordinance to be looked at to allow businesses to be open later.
Paige complimented the Gray Police Department for their attention to downtown business.
“I feel safe here. They put a card in our door every night, so we know they are watching,” she said.
She remembered working late one evening and an officer stopping by to make sure everything was OK.
The interview took place at the ice cream shop on a Thursday afternoon, and it would be hard not to notice the families coming in and the excitement of the children choosing their ice cream flavors.
“We love creating memories for these kids,” Paige commented.
