He is pictured from top right withThe candidate with Claude Ramsey, Harold Coker, Bill Bennett. Jim Hammond and Mike Carter
Smartt grandchildren
Phil Smartt and supporter June Cooper
Phil Smartt answering questions from his grandchildren
Phil Smartt, candidate for County Commission, District 7, officially kicked off his campaign with a breakfast held Saturday at his headquarters on 8150 East Brainerd Road. Many community supporters as well as politicians attended.
The event included Phil's grandchildren singing a song about his campaign set to the jingle,"Frosty the Snowman". His grandchildren also held a question answer session with their "Papa" using questions that he had not heard prior to the event.
Alan Johnston, campaign manager, introduced the program and welcomed the packed house. The event concluded with a speech given by the candidate in which he explained his reasons for running and his desire to keep the county moving in the right direction.
He mentioned his support for a vocational-technical high school and the need for strong schools to continue to attract business to the area. He said he has a desire to work closely with the Hamilton County School Board, having served as a member/chairman of that board himself.
He discussed his desire to keep taxes low and discussed his opposition to forced annexation. His concern is for the future of Hamilton County. He said, "I love this community and I have an obligation to leave things better for future generations."
Mr. Smartt is a retired small business owner. He ran his insurance business for 38 years in Hamilton County. He is a native of Hamilton County. He has been married to his wife, Gloria, for 48 years. They have six children and 28 grandchildren.