Smyrna to hold reception for outgoing council members

Next Monday, Dec. 19, marks the final Smyrna city council meeting of the year and with it the final meeting for four outgoing council members.

“They have a total combined 56 years of service on the council and all four brought a very unique and positive perspective to the council,’’ said Mayor Max Bacon.

Dr. Ron Newcomb, Ward 2, and Charles Pete Wood, Ward 7, have each served on the council since 1991. Mike McNabb, Ward 4, and Jimmy Smith, Ward 5, have spent the last eight years on the council.

In recognition of their service to Smyrna, the city is hosting a reception for them at at 3180 Atlanta Road on Monday from 5 - 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited. All the Smyrna city council members are planning to attend, including the four newly elected ones. The council will then hold its final 2011 meeting at 7:30 p.m. at .

Wood is the committee chair for Finance and Administration, Purchasing, Alcohol Beverage, License, Telecommunications, Annexation, and Economic Development and Redevelopment.

Newcomb is the committee chair for Community Development; and Vision/Education Committee

“Pete Wood has been very, very instrumental in helping with the financial stability of the city,’’ Bacon said. “He’ll be missed and hopefully we can find a way to keep him involved. Ron Newcomb’s knack for doing the right thing for the environment and conservation causes has been important."

Like Wood and Newcomb, Smith opted not to seek re-election this fall. He serves as committee chair for Parks and Recreation/Library/Community Relations/Cemetery/Community Culture/Veterans Memorial.

“In the last three years, Jimmy figured out how to work in this system; the ways to get things done,’’ the mayor said. “He really matured into the position and he’ll be missed.’’

After garnering almost 49 percent of the votes in the general election, McNabb lost by 50 votes in this month’s runoff election. “I am proud of what we were able to do during my time (on the council) during some of the worst economic conditions our country has ever experienced.’’ McNabb said.

Said the mayor, “Mike is very bright and brought technology expertise to the council and a different perspective to the table.’’

With four council members on their way out, four new ones will be sworn in when the council meets on Jan. 3, 2012. At that time, the mayor will assign new committee responsibilities to all seven council members. The new members include Andrea Blustein, Ward 2; Corkey Welch, Ward 4; Susan Wilkinson, Ward 5; and Ron Fennel, Ward 7.

“I’ve met with them individually and collectively and I’m excited about this council,’’ Bacon explained. “Susan’s been my neighbor for about 10 years and is a great person with a great family. I know Andrea from (her service on) the Planning and Zoning Board. Corkey comes from an engineering background and he’ll hit the ground running. And Ron Fennel is a no-nonsense guy who will get info and then say, ‘let’s get this done.’ I think they’ll all be good.”