Fort Oglethorpe voters may be more familiar with one of the three names on the November ballot contesting the campaign to serve Ward 1 on the city council.
Before his election to the council in 2008, Johnnie "Red" Smith was twice interim chief and was involved in three shoot-outs - one nearly claimed his life - during 24 years on the city's police force.
"In the early years, I had to work two and sometimes three jobs to raise my family on a policeman's pay, but I loved the job and there was never a day that I dreaded getting up and going to work," the 68-year-old said. "This is something that comes from my heart. I want to continue giving back to the people of this city - that are like my family."
Smith joined the Air Force after graduating from Ringgold High in 1992 and served in Vietnam as a flight crew chief for C-130 transports. After stints with Lockheed and as a truck driver, he "decided to follow a lifelong dream of becoming a police officer" and graduated from police academies in both Tennessee and Georgia.
He was recovering from a near-fatal shooting in 1993 when "the dean at Dalton State College came to the hospital to present my diploma," Smith said.
In addition to serving as a lawman, Smith's efforts to promote the city's multi-use walking trail network was recently recognized when a section of trail was dedicated in his honor.
When asked why he ran for office after retiring and is now seeking re-election, Smith said, "I'm just another citizen here in Fort O. We've accomplished a lot - new sewers and water lines, developed walking trails that are second to none, and put money back into our reserves - all while developing a harmonious relationship with Ringgold and the county.
"We've got a lot of things under way and I'd like to continue making progress for the citizens," Smith said.
Derek Rogers, a newcomer to the political arena, said his reason for entering the Ward 1 race is to help the city grow while offering the viewpoint of a younger generation to the city council.
"My wife, Stephanie, and I have lived here since 2005," the 30-year-old insurance salesman said. "We chose to move to Fort O because of what it is, and I just want to improve what is here.
"I don't want people to think I'm an arrogant young guy that wants to show people how things should be done. I'm level headed and definitely not running to force a change."
A graduate of Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., with a bachelor's degree in financial management, Rogers said that before getting involved in the insurance business he was director of operations at the Canyon Ridge Club atop Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, Ga.
"Running that operation gave me a taste of the decisions involved in running a city," he said.
Rogers said Ronnie Cobb, the late mayor of Fort Oglethorpe, encouraged him to become involved in his chosen city and urged him to participate in local government.
As an appointed member of Fort Oglethorpe's Downtown Development Authority, Rogers said he and that board are attempting to bring change to the community.
"There is nothing I feel that is really bad," he said. "I have no enemies and don't have any 'good ole boy' connections, so this is a chance for me to make solid decisions based on what's right and good."
Rogers said he only decided to seek the council seat after discussion and prayer with his wife.
"I don't have a desire to become a politician," he said. "This is a way to help my community and grow personally."
Stephen Lanier, 41, is seeking election to the city council because he feels members of that elected body should be true to their word and be held accountable for their actions.
"Actually, I've run for the council before," Lanier said. "I wanted to run this time because I think I can make some better decisions than their's if I'm elected to the council."
A graduate of LaFayette High School, Lanier earned an associate's degree from Walker Tech, now Georgia Northwestern Technical College, and now owns and operates Steve's Used Cars and Campers, located on Chickamauga Avenue.
"My goal, if elected, is to keep taxes low - a lot of the elderly cannot afford a tax hike - and the only way to do that is by controlling the budget," he said.
As an example, Lanier cited his utility bill for water, which includes a charge for sewer service.
"Water bills seem to have gotten out of hand," he said. "My bill includes a sewer fee but I don't have sewer. I asked to be annexed into the city about six or seven years ago so I could get city services for some commercial property. I do get garbage pickup, but nothing else they've promised - a security light and sewer - has been delivered.
"Whatever we promise as a city, we should deliver," Lanier said. "I'm charged but not getting it and I'm sure there are other people that have the same thing happen.
"That is one of the reasons I am running. The city council should stand behind what they say and they should be responsive to the citizens."