Ellijay City Council Interviews: Roy “Smitty” Smith

• Why Are You Running?

“I live downtown and care about what the citizens needs are. Safe and Clean streets. It’s called Public Service, not an elected office for life as so many today in Washington as well as the state seem to think, we need new people to serve that might just have a different vision on how to make out town and country better. Elected office is just that and holding elected office is part of that service. I have served the public most of my adult life with my jobs with the Post Office and Ga DOT as well as owning a family business. I just believe in public service not as a job but helping my community.”

 

 

 

• What are your qualifications? Any other posts in Local government?

“ Past city council member, Ellijay Lions Club Life Member, served as Board Member and Treasurer. Gilmer Chamber of Commerce Charter Member & serving as Board Member, first class of Leadership Gilmer.  Apple Country Auto Club Charter Member and President. Ellijay First Methodist Church past Sunday School Superintendent, Chairman of Trustees, Building Committee, Methodist Men’s Board Member, Boy Scouts Scoutmaster, Chairman of Building Program of the Scout Hut. Attended the U. of Ga Economic Development Academy, Appalachian Regional Commission Development Program (which started the 1st Clean up Gilmer Co.). Served as US Congress Capital Page as well as Intern for Congressman Phil Landrum. I have worked for the Georgia DOT in planning division. Retired from the US Postal Service as a rural letter carrier and Asst. Supervisor. I have also owned 2 businesses in Ellijay since moving back home. Sword Office Supply and presently Smitty’s Engraving.”

 

 

• What is one thing you hope to accomplish if elected

“I would bring more tourism and business to the community. To accomplish this would write letters to try to get manufacturers to come to Ellijay. This could help generate Sales Tax Money.”

 

• What services, If any, would you take away or add to the city of ellijay?/Would you increase spending with any line item?

“I would try to enhance Harrison Park and Make it more than just a field and a gravel walking trail.   I would like to work to enhance the visibility of our river as a tourist attraction, which would bring in more sales tax revenue. In no way should be allow destruction of our beautiful river and natural areas. I also would like to work with East Ellijay to possibly clean up the area around the railroad tracks as a park along the river. That would help both cities. Most things can be done if we work together. Sales tax is the only fair tax and that could be used toward that”

 

• With added services, there comes a need to balance the budget, what would you do to balance the budget?

“I think the city is being maintained well by the road and street dept. Overall the city looks well maintained, just keep it up. I would try to promote Ellijay as a business friendly city which in turn increase sale tax. By increasing sales tax that take the burden of property tax off the citizen.”

 

• If services are cut, would you cut taxes for citizens, keep them where they are, or raise taxes to give the city some money in the bank?

No services cut (question won’t appear)

 

• What sort of program(s) or policy(s) would you institute to encourage growth in Ellijay?

 

“I favor tax incentives to new business and manufacturers and easing regulations so that they don’t have to jump through so many hoops.”

 

• What sort of policies do you support dealing with the amount and type of liquor that can be dispensed in the city limits

“I would not change the current regulations, as it is pretty well regulated. I don’t think there should be liquor on every corner though.”

 

• Do you want only certain ways to dispense alcohol within the city limits?

“I believe it should be up to the public input on that. The council has handled that in the past. Restaurants control the beer and wine very well as far as I can tell. But as my mother use to say, banning something just makes people want it that much more. Common sense and control, if someone is out of line than there are plenty of law on the book to deal with it”

 

 

• Do you Support Sunday Liquor sales?

“Sunday sales have been answered by present council. A public vote may be the answer. Outlaw something people find a way to do it anyway.”

 

 

 

• Are you for any limitations as to where alcohol is sold?

“The City Council has made the decisions for alcohol locations for a reason.”