July 2021 - January 2022

I’m hoping this update finds you well and I look forward to a great 2022! As promised, I want to update you on the many happenings for our great city.

Smyrna is on the move in 2022 – we have many exciting things in the works and on the move in the new year.

2022 Important Dates: 

• Spring Jonquil Festival: Saturday, April 23rd – Sunday, April 24th
• Summer Concert Series: 6/11 and 7/16
• 150th City Birthday Celebration: Friday, October 7th – Sunday, October 9th
• Fall Jonquil Festival: Saturday, October 29 - Sunday, October 30th

Exciting Projects Underway

• Windy Hill Road  Project – underway and expected completion by 2024
• The Quad (Spring Road) – exciting new restaurant / outdoor venue – Council approved in 2021, expected completion late 2022
• Downtown Redesign – expected to get underway in early 2022 & completion Spring 2023. Council gave final approval to the redesign in the fall of 2021. Final design concept here.

City Staff & Team: Thank you!   

As 2021 has recently drawn to a close, I want to thank our city staff across the board for the many efforts to deliver the best to our residents. 2021 was another tough year and added to that are significant workforce shortages thus making our staff’s jobs even harder from day to day. 

Mt. Zion Cemetery Restoration Project – Rededication Sunday, February 20 at 1:30 pm

UPDATE: 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, Rose Gardens leaders, and Ron Davis of the Williams Park Association for their continued leadership on the effort. If you have not visited the cemetery, I encourage you to check it out. 

The new gateway arch has been installed drawing a close to this important restoration.  

Traffic Calming

In 2020, Mayor Norton created a special committee to look at traffic calming citywide. Council Members Susan Wilkinson, Tim Gould and I serve on the committee; I serve as committee chair. Since the creation of the committee, we have implemented calming measures throughout the city. Including major projects on Campbell Road, Oakdale Road, Powder Springs Street and Church Street. We have also implemented new stop conditions and calming measures, and of the nearly 40 target areas, we have now completed roughly half to date. The calming measures range from enhanced road markings, stop signs, traffic islands and curbing, speed humps, and chicanes.  

Covid Testing

The City of Smyrna is offering onsite testing – see more information on the city’s website and the City of Smyrna social media. 

I’m very proud that our city is the only city statewide to offer testing and the vaccine!

City of Smyrna Financial Health 

I have served on the Budget Committee for two years and was appointed committee chair last fall. 

Each month, Finance updates the financial data published to the Smyrna City website. Tableau Public is a free platform that allows the City to easily visualize budget data alongside year-to-date revenues and expenditures. To access the Open Data dashboards, click “Financial/Budget” at the top of our home page, or follow this URL for a direct link: 

https://www.smyrnacity.com/financial-budget/open-data 

SPLOST Update – 2020 Election 

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
• South Cobb Drive Overhaul & Improvements (Concord to Windy Hill) 
• New Aquatics Park
• Completion of the Windy Hill Road Project 

Ward 3 Meeting – Sunday, April 10 from 4 until 5:30 pm

I will host a joint Ward 3 / Ward 6 (with Council Member Tim Gould) Meeting at City Hall on Sunday, April 10 from 4 until 5:30 pm. 

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 
• Housing Authority - Lem Ward, JD, Williams Park 

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

Want to get involved? Reach out to me at: tlindley@smyrnaga.gov 

Projects Completed & Promises 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. 

We are here to help. 

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 who don’t yet know of this crucial ministry, it is located at 940 Concord Road and is a ministry of Smyrna First United Methodist Church.

Upcoming Events? (Civic clubs, HOA meetings, etc.)

Please let me know if you would like I or any city staff to coming to a meeting or event – we are always happy to join you and update you on city business. 

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.govand my phone number is (678) 631-5308.