Johnny L. SmithFamily: Wife, Sarah L. Smith; Children, Laura A. Smith, Jennifer Smith Aguilar, Lyle Smith; Grandchildren, Glenn M. Smith (deceased), LeeAnn Smith, Kristen Aguilar, Camden Aguilar.
Education:
• Diploma, Collinsville High School
• B.S. Degree, Jacksonville State University
• Master of Mathematics Degree, University of South Carolina
• Ed.D. Degree, University of Alabama
• One year graduate mathematics study, Emory University
• Certificate, Alabama League of Municipalities Public Officials Training Program
Professional background: Taught high school mathematics at Etowah High School in Attalla, Al. for two years (1962 - 1964), taught mathematics at Jacksonville State University for 34 years (1965 - 1999), taught mathematics at The State University of West Georgia for five years (1999 - 2004), sold real estate part time for more than twenty years.
Political background: Mayor of Jacksonville from 2004 to the present; member of Jacksonville City Council, chairman of the City Police and Fire Committee and member of the City Street and Sanitation Committee from 1992 to 2004; member of the City Finance Committee, member of the City Parks and Recreation Committee and Mayor Pro-Tempore from 1998 to 2004.
Civic, non-profit or city affiliations: Member of First Baptist Church Jacksonville, Alabama League of Municipalities, East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARP&D Commission), EARP&D Commission’s Personnel Committee, EARP&D Commission’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, Jacksonville Exchange Club; chairman, EARP&D Commission’s Cooperative Purchasing Association.
Issues of concern: With the continuing increase in cost of gasoline and the slow down in the economy, the main concern for the next mayor and council will be to manage funds to maintain a quality school system, continue to make needed infrastructure improvements and to continue good service in the areas of public safety, recreation, utilities and other city departments.
The cost of operating police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, street department vehicles and utility maintenance vehicles has increased substantially. The increased cost of fuel has affected the cost of many other goods that citizens and the city need to purchase. Street paving material, pipe, concrete, etc. are some examples of products the city has to purchase that have increased tremendously as the result of increased cost of petroleum.
In order to provide the goods and services we want, we need the tax bases that new and expanded business brings. During the past four years, Jacksonville has had 325 new residential homes constructed. Over that same time period, 38 subdivisions with 414 lots have been created. Along with this residential growth, the business district has also grown with the addition of a 156,000 square foot Wal-Mart Super Center, Center of Hope Thrift Store, CVS, Fort McClellan Credit Union, O’Rilley’s Auto Parts, Jacksonville Home Center, Dollar General, and Cheaha Bank.
A number of new restaurants have also opened including Captain D’s, Huddle House, Java Jolt, the Vault, Casa Fiesta, Quiznos, and Guthrie’s. The new Effina’s Tucson Grill is expected to open soon and construction is under way for a Walgreen’s Pharmacy, a dialysis clinic, Hampton Inn Hotel and a 48 bed assisted living facility. We need to continue this good economic growth we have seen during the past four years and we must do so with good planning.
I believe with good planning citizens of Jacksonville can be provided convenient places to obtain the goods and services they want and need without having to drive out of town and this can be done while maintaining our “small town atmosphere.” I believe with good leadership we can build on this foundation of good growth and have the tax base needed to deal with the issues ahead.
Ensuring that Jacksonville has an adequate water supply will be important for the next mayor and council. We have just completed the installation of a 12” water line from Adelaide Dr. to the Big Spring Pump Station, which will allow water purchased from Anniston to be available to more areas of town. We also contracted with a geologist who has identified three sites for possible drilling of a well for a new water source. These efforts need to continue to make sure the city has adequate water sources into the future.
With good leadership we can prioritize issues as they come up and deal with them in a timely and efficient manner.
Vision for the city: I envision Jacksonville as a city where public safety is a top priority. During the past four years, the Jacksonville Fire Department has been able to purchase much new equipment and hence today has excellent equipment. Also the Jacksonville Fire Department has been reorganized, adding structure to the department. This has made the department more efficient by providing a much better chain of command and more opportunities for firemen to advance in the chain of command.
Positive things are occurring in the Police Department, as well. The position of Assistant Police Chief was created last year. Central dispatch has been an improvement for both the Police Department and the Fire Department. In-car computers and video cameras have been installed in Jacksonville Police cars. We must always keep public safety a part of our vision for Jacksonville
My vision for Jacksonville includes an education system among the best in the country. For many years, we have enjoyed the reputation of having an exceptional school system. We must strive to make a great school system even better. If a city has a good school system, you normally find that city also has many other good things for its citizens.
One part of my vision is to make Jacksonville more beautiful. I believe most citizens of Jacksonville have great pride in the city and do a good job in helping keep the city, as well as their own property, clean and safe.
During the past four years, we have made changes in our business zoning ordinances to require more landscaping and buffers in these zones and passed a new ordinance making it easier for our compliance officer to have abandoned cars removed from residences in the city. Forty dilapidated/unsafe buildings have been removed or restored, 550 letters have been mailed and approximately 1,500 personal contacts have been made with residents who had un-kept lots that needed attention. Even though much has been accomplished we must continue efforts to make Jacksonville more beautiful.
Another part of my vision is for Jacksonville to have diversified businesses so that citizens will not have to drive out of town to find the goods and service they want and need.
Citizens of Jacksonville are fortunate that we have a wonderful recreation program. The Parks and Recreation Department baseball, basketball and soccer programs provide good organized sports opportunities. The Chief Ladiga Bike Trail, Community Center complete with exercise room, gym, walking track, and meeting rooms, community swimming pool, new three field lighted soccer complex, new skate board park, Germania Springs Park and Henry Farm Park provide great recreation opportunities for all ages.
City workers have begun work on a walk way/greenway when completed will connect the Chief Ladiga Trail to Spring Street just East of The Public Square. Its location is along a stream and eventually will be landscaped with many different plants and trees, labeled so they can be identified as people walk the path. Plans are also under way for a small park on the site of the old recreation center located at the corner of Ladiga Street and Church Avenue. More space will be available for more activities in the Community Center with the opening of the new Senior Center. Part of my vision is to see these projects continued and other projects developed to continue to improve the City’s recreation program for citizens of all ages to enjoy.
Finally, my vision for Jacksonville is to continue the many projects that are now in progress and to find new incentives that will help make a wonderful city like Jacksonville even better.
