Published: October 26, 2009 09:01 am      

Smith looks to ward of challenger

CLINTON — After a non-consecutive stretch of 50-plus years serving on the Clinton City Council, Darrell Smith spends most of his time at meetings listening.

There used to be a time when the 79-year old Smith would butt heads with colleagues. But nowadays, Smith leaves most of the talking up to everyone else.

However, there is still one question Smith will ask almost every time: How are we going to pay for it?

Because of that demeanor, Smith said he was once called “parsimonious” by a former city council member. The word means frugal to the point of stinginess. Smith admits at the time he didn’t know what it meant but he agrees with the accusation.

For four more years Smith says he would like to continue to ask those questions and serve the people of the Third Ward, which is why he decided to run one more time.

Jason Nevel: Why should somebody vote for you?

Darrell Smith: All I can do is offer what I have to offer. I’m very dedicated to the city of Clinton. I graduated from Clinton High School as did my wife and three daughters. This is our town. We enjoy living here. It’s not perfect but it’s not too bad either.

I try to do what is right. You’re not going to please everybody.

JN: Any issues pertinent to the Third Ward that you’d like to get addressed?

DS: The thing that affects the whole city is the condition of our streets. Right now today you get a lot of compliments but about a year ago it wasn’t the same.

The program we’re going to have next year will complement the one we have now and we should be in good shape.

JN: If elected again would this be your last term?

DS: Definitely. I would like to do it four more years. Clinton is a great city with lots of possibilities.

JN: What have you done on the council to attract jobs to Clinton?

DS: I’ve been supportive to the CRDC. I really think Steve Ames is doing a good job.

Boy, it’s tough all over. From what I’ve observed of him he travels a lot and is doing the best he can but there is a lot of that going around. It will take at least another year to come back.

JN: What have you done to try to provide relief for escalating sewer bills?

DS: It’s terrible. The council bought into a consortium to fight the legal bill. It looks like we lost that one. They settled for 21.9 percent.

We’ve tried to revise the schedule of increases to pay for the new treatment plant. That will be completed in next four years. I can remember when the one we got now was built.

We’ve helped a little bit by modifying that schedule.

JN: You're not always the most vocal councilman. Have you always been that way?

DS: I was more outgoing and now your brain matter takes a little longer to come to a decision, so I don’t want to waste it by saying things that may be germane to the situation.

JN: How does this council compare to some of the other councils you’ve served on?

DS: We’ve got a pretty good council. I like when people dig in to topics and bring out salient points. Bette (Oakley, at-large) don’t say much and I don’t say much but I listen.

I’m real happy with the council we got. We went through a trying time replacing the city administrator. Time will tell; the jury is still out.