The people of Smyrna, TN

This is the first of what I hope to make a regular column. I have come across so many interesting people recently that I thought a series written by the people of Smyrna Tn. would fit in nicely on this site.

With my time watching the town meetings, I felt that the first people to invite should be the ones who represent us on the city council. Our first responding guest columnist is James Yates. A Smyrna Town Councilman At Large and in real life a Realtor and General Contractor.

He asked me if there was a specific subject I could recommend. "Why he decided to run for the council" was my suggestion.

Politics has always interested me. A few years ago I made a decision to throw my name into the local political arena. After a conversation with my family about concerns I have in our Town, I decided to be a decision maker rather than a bystander. I announced my intentions to my family at a Thanksgiving Dinner. Life intervened and various things caused me to delay my plans. After a slight set back, the time finally came to make the move.

First, I began talking about it to “poll” people and get a feel for the support level. Once I decided I had enough encouragement, I picked up my qualifying papers and began my trek.

The undertaking proved to be a BIG challenge. It consumed an enormous amount of time, required me to miss a lot of work, and helped to define me as a whole. I must admit… It was a hard row to hoe (as my father would say)!

The election came to a head in a very unique way. My opponent and I tied! That’s right… we tied! Each of us had the exact same number of votes! To my knowledge, that has never happened before in the Rutherford County area. Never again can anyone say to me that their vote doesn’t count! All it would have taken was for one more person to go to the polls, for either candidate! This led to a runoff race that essentially made me start the entire process over again.

At the end of the runoff, the citizens made their choice and I was graced with the position. I was blessed to have run with others who did not encourage or participate in “mudslinging”. I never saw anyone, especially my direct opponent, say or do anything that was less than “professional”. All of Smyrna should be proud of this fact.

So, in conclusion, I hope I am making the Town’s citizens proud with the way I conduct myself and with the way I vote. Thanks to all for allowing me to serve as your Councilman!

Sincerely,

Honorable James Yates
Smyrna Town Councilman At Large
www.TownofSmyrna.org

Thank you Mr. Yates.