News

Council thanks Smith for city achievements during his service on council

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 6, 2023

In a resolution it adopted, the Hendersonville City Council credited Jerry Smith for a long list of achievements the city made during his 14 years on the board.

He resigned his seat Thursday night, saying he had decided to "step away from council in order to take care of my family and my parents.” He said he did not know yet what he would do next.

His resignation will be effective at the end of a previously scheduled "Council Comp-versation" on Monday, Oct. 9, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Health Sciences Building, 805 Sixth Avenue West.
Following Smith’s announcement and his remarks, Mayor Barbara Volk presented him with a Resolution of Respect and Appreciation for his service to the city. Here is the text of the resolution:

Jerry Smith joined the  December of 2009 and since then has been a devoted proponent of park, greenway, and trail development in Hendersonville, supported quality of life enhancements for the community as well as City of Hendersonville employees, promoted government transparency and the provision of excellent local government customer service, and championed operating at top-notch water and sewer utility for approximately 80,000 customers across Hendersonville and Henderson County.

During his tenure on the Hendersonville City Council, Jerry Smith was instrumental in:

• Implementing a Five-Party Agreement Between the City of Hendersonville, Henderson County, Wingate University, Blue Ridge Community College, and Pardee Memorial Hospital for the construction and lease of, and relative interests in a building to be situated at 747 Sixth Avenue West for a Health Sciences Facility.
• Serving as a member of the Apple Country Greenway Commission, three years as chair, he advocated for and pursued the construction of the Oklawaha Greenway Phase II project. Additionally, serving as a member of the Parks and Greenspace Master Plan, adopted by City Council in 2011, he paved the way for numerous park improvements including the expansion and construction of the Oklawaha Greenway Phase III project. Combined, he implemented the construction of over 2.6 miles of greenway.
• The visionary investment in the construction of Fire Station #2, purchase of multiple fire apparatus, hiring of over 15 firefighters and life safety personnel, rehabilitation and construction of Fire Station #1, the purchase of land for Fire Station #3, and critical investments in a resilient water system, resulting in the achievement of an ISO Public Protection Class 1 rating for all residents and businesses within the City of Hendersonville.
• Investing millions of dollars in downtown infrastructure including the implementation of Main St. streetscape improvements, public restrooms, a public parking deck, resurfacing of public parking lots, façade grant improvements, small business pivot grants, multiple downtown events including Rhythm and Brews, and signage improvements.
• The construction and reimagination of the Laura E. Corn minigolf at Edwards Park, reactivating a long-vacant park and parcel.
• Supporting the sale and redevelopment of the Grey Hosiery Mill into workforce housing and putting it back on the tax scrolls.
• Advocating for City employees’ salaries, benefits, and service excellence.
• Dedicating additional tax base to street resurfacing, implementing a schedule to have roads repaved every twenty years.
• The construction of the new Police Station on Ashe St. and investment in a home repair program to maintain the community character of the neighborhood.
• The installation of the City’s current Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI), installed in 2011, at the time an innovative and visionary technology that placed Hendersonville on a solid foundation to improve water loss, inflow and infiltration, and future water and sewer improvements throughout the county.
• Implementing a water/sewer rate structure and utility extension policies to provide more equitable funding of future utility projects.