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These
four men are running for three at-large seats
on Smithfield's Town Council in the Nov. 5 election
JOHN DUNN: Age 45; resident of Eden Woods; Certified Public Accountant with family CPA firm in Smithfield since 1996; graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School and East Carolina University with a degree in accounting; wife Kimberly; volunteer fireman with Smithfield Fire Department since 2005; member and past president, Rotary Club of Central Johnston County; member, First Baptist Church of Smithfield; first elected to the Town Council in 2015. "Goals this term: • "Continued improvement of roads within the town. • "Make more of the sidewalks throughout town handicap accessible. • "Continue to work on I&I (infiltration & inflow) sewer problems in town. • "Continuous revisions to our town UDO (Unified Development Ordinances). • "Continue the implementation of the 'Smart Meter' to save money and to assist with reporting of outages and other issues. • "Smart growth of the town to help increase the tax base, not raising the tax rate. • "Start back the 'Government in Touch' meetings so we can hear from the citizens of each district and hear what is affecting them." STEVE RABIL: Age 60; resident of South Smithfield; involved with family business, Yellow Cab Company, for more than 44 years; graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School and East Carolina University with a degree in business administration; wife Sheila and daughters Hope (26), Holly (23), and Heather (23); volunteer paramedic and fireman with Smithfield Rescue and Smithfield Fire Department for almost 37 years; usher, Temple Church; first elected to the Town Council in 2015. "My goals are to be more aggressive on street resurfacing, address infrastructure needs in a timely manner, continue to enhance the Unified Development Ordinances, eliminate red tape for new and existing businesses that are considering Smithfield a place to invest in, all while keeping tax rates low and cost of services reasonable for all." JIM SNYDER: Age 69; resident of South Smithfield; retired after working 30 years at the Short Journey Retreat Center for the Catholic Dioceses of Raleigh; associate degrees in carpentry & cabinetmaking, residential construction, architecture, small equipment, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, gas; six years study of pastoral theology; member of the church choir of St. Ann Parish where he also works in the Al Varner Food Pantry; a former Past Grand Knight, financial secretary, and trustee of Council 11265 of the Knights of Columbus International; has coached elementary-level girls and boys basketball, soccer, and baseball. "In four years I hope that the council will have in place a long-term plan for the following, and (will) have started physically working on these projects: • "Storm water drainage: Finish curbing and gutter on streets where half of a street doesn't have any; put in new and repair old curbing and gutter; we have spring branches that need cleaning and widening from 301 highway to the Neuse River; we have a growing elderly population and sidewalks a healthy exercise for all. • "Water: We have old water main lines that need replacing in our municipality. • "Sewerage: We have old sewer lines that need replacing in our municipality. "We have a lot of good assets. It's about time we give them a strong foundation to work off." ROGER WOOD: Age 49; resident of West Smithfield; in sales and management for more than 30 years, 24 years with Coca Cola Consolidated; graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School plus two years at Johnston Community College; wife Jennifer and sons Parker (23) and Landon (15); member, Smithfield Recreation Advisory Committee; served on the Town Council 2013-17. "My goals are to help identify and find resolution for the opportunities and challenges we face such as the town infrastructure ... assets, road conditions, facilities, etc. I hope to help Smithfield grow its tax base ... by virtue of industrial growth and residential growth. "Also, a goal is to continue to be competitive in the work force for our town employees with salary and benefit studies. "Also, I would continue to support the development of Downtown and its functions and events and work with the Downtown Development organization to grow and support our local business owners." |
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