Smartt running for re-election

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON News Editor for the Southern Standard

SMARTT

George Smartt is announcing his bid for re-election as County Commissioner for the 3rd District. Smartt, who is currently chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, has served four terms on the commission, with stints as chairman of the Safety Committee and memberships in Agriculture and Fair, Legislative and Tourism. He is also a member of the Land Committee, and both the Jail Oversight and Jail Inspection Committees, dealing with the construction and operation of the new Warren County Jail expansion. In addition he serves as secretary of the Warren County Regional Planning Committee.

Smartt is married to the former Tammy Underhill of Mt. Juliet and they have four children, daughters Alex, 19, Jac, 16 and Madison, 10, and a son Will, 7.

Smartt is active in the community has been involved with a number of organizations over the years. He is a past president of the McMinnville Jaycees and Breakfast Rotary Club, in addition to working with the Warren County A&L Fair, the Cattlemen?s Association and the UT National Alumni Association.

Smartt says he believes strongly in running an adequately funded and financially sound county government, even if that includes periodic tax increases. He feels it is fiscally irresponsible to utilize funds from one budget to cover deficits in others in order to avoid raising taxes.

?The cost of running government, like any other business, is dependent on many factors,? Smartt said. ?Rising energy costs, state-mandated increases in retirement, improvements to the educational system necessitated by federally mandated programs, maintaining competitive salaries and associated benefits for county employees and officials, as well as providing vital county services such as ambulance, sanitation and law enforcement, all require increased funding to continue maintaining the current levels of care and service.?

Smartt says he urges intelligent and fiscally responsible action from his fellow commissioners to provide the funds needed for a healthy and balanced budget, even if those decisions may not be the most popular with some voters.

?I have enjoyed serving the people of Warren County,? Smartt said. ?And I will continue to do what I think is in the best interest of the county to maintain good fiscal policy. I ask for your vote and support to re-elect me your County Commissioner in the 3rd District.?