January - July 2021

 I hope this update finds you well and life returning to normal. As promised, I want to update you on the many happenings with your city government.  

Back to Life! Between Food Truck Tuesday, the Smyrna Hand Made Market, the Summer Concert Series, the Jonquil Festival and the Smyrna Birthday Celebration – we are seeing our great City come back to life!

Important Dates:  

City Birthday Celebration – Saturday, October 9 

Fall Jonquil Festival – Saturday, October 23 & Sunday, October 24

Downtown Redesign 

In June, a majority of the Council agreed to move forward with the initial concept of a redesign of the roundabout outside the Community Center and Library. The concept plan below has many steps to go through but I’m excited about the opportunity for the additional greenspace in our downtown. The concept comes largely from the findings of the 2019 BOLD Initiative / Study that nearly 700 residents took part in. 

Click the button to the right to see the 2019 BOLD Downtown Master Plan Update 

Key City Staff Changes 

Earlier this year, we commissioned our new police chief, Keith Zgonc. The Chief recently came back to the department but served many years on our force earlier in his career. I am proud and thankful for his continued service to our city. Chief Zgonc takes over from now City Administrator Joe Bennett who assumed the role as permanent City Administrator. Mr. Bennett has provided the crucial leadership as the City has navigated the last year, a huge thanks for his calm and steady leadership. I also want to acknowledge newly promoted Lt. Louis Defense on the Smyrna Police force – Lt. Defense is a true leader and he makes us all proud. 

Arts & Culture Task Force

Earlier this year, Mayor Norton formed the Arts & Culture Task Force to bring the many talented residents together in looking at several big projects in the coming months. I am honored to be on the task force and eager to see the great work to come. Stay tuned!

SPLOST Update

As you may know or recall, the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) was approved by voters in November 2020. Projects for Smyrna include:

· Downtown Re-design Concept

· Splash Pad

· Overhaul & Improvements to South Cobb Drive

· New Aquatics Park

· Completion of the Windy Hill Road Project 

Traffic Calming

Last year, the Mayor created a special committee to look at traffic calming citywide. Council Members Susan Wilkinson, Tim Gould and I serve on the committee; I will serve as committee chair. 

The committee, working closely with City Administrator Bennett and our city staff identified over 40 targets for immediate traffic calming measures. The calming measures range from enhanced road markings, stop signs, traffic islands and curbing, speed humps and chicanes. Over the next year, it is council’s intent to implement the vast majority of these improvements. 

Ward Appointments – Our Neighbors

As the Ward 3 Council Member, I am honored to appoint several Ward 3 residents to posts representing Ward 3:

Planning & Zoning - Keith Bentley, Williams Park

Hospital Authority - Joan Stuart, Banks Street

Keep Smyrna Beautiful - Betty Williams, Rose Gardens

Parks and Recreation - Leigh Anne Rehkopf, King Springs area 

I am pleased to have several additional residents from Ward 3 serving in appointed positions citywide.

Want to get involved? Reach out to me!

Ward 3 Meeting – Sunday, July 11th

Thanks to everyone who attended the joint Ward 3 & 6 meeting on Sunday, July 11th, we had over 100 residents in attendance. Please watch for alerts on a future townhall meeting. 

Mt. Zion Cemetery Restoration Project 

The cemetery dates to 1877 and is Smyrna’s historic African American cemetery. We have made significant progress towards a long overdue restoration project for this sacred cultural landmark within our community. A special thanks to City Administrator Joe Bennett, Pastor Richard Bush of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Ron Davis of the Williams Park Association for their continued leadership on the effort. If you have not visited the cemetery, I urge you to check it out. 

Tillman House 

Looking to engage and help your community? I urge you to learn more about a vital service organization here in our community. I am beyond proud of the way our community has rallied and helped each other and those in need. Particularly for people needing food assistance, Tillman House has filled an enormous need in our community, and we continue to connect those in need with assistance. For those that don’t yet know of this crucial ministry, it is located at 940 Concord Road and a ministry of Smyrna First United Methodist Church.

Promises Completed & Kept! 

I want to thank the residents of Ward 3 for allowing me to serve as your Council Member – it has been a productive year and a half despite the many challenges we have faced in our community. We have much on the horizon to be excited about in our great community and I eagerly look forward to the challenges and outcomes. 

As always, I want to recognize our dedicated city staff, from our police and firefighters, public works, community development and our administration staff – these are folks who work each day to make our community a better place. 

Community Outreach

I have received many emails and calls from residents in Ward 3, with the help of our great city staff, and we have been able to timely address issues as they come in throughout the Ward. If I can be of assistance, please feel free to reach out to me. 

Constituent Services 

It is my honor to serve you and this ward. If I can be of assistance, please let me know. 

Please feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or ideas. 

My email is tlindley@smyrnaga.gov and my phone number is (678) 631-5308.