Joe Smith is running for the Chattanooga City Commission.We endorse independent Joe Smith – the long-time Y-Cap youth leader – for the County Commission District 3 seat.
Smith also has the endorsements of several former elected Hamilton County leaders, including former Hamilton County Mayor and Deputy Gov, Claude Ramsey, former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp and former state Rep. Richard Floyd.
Smith, 62, faces opposition from Republican Greg Martin, the current Board of Education representative for the district, which includes Hixson, Middle Valley, Lakesite and Big Ridge. The seat has been vacant since Sept. 1, when Commissioner Marty Haynes took on his new role as the Hamilton County assessor of property.
“I just want to serve,” Smith says of why he is running. His son is taking over the Y-Cap ministry that Smith started in 1998, and Smith’s concern for things he believes need improvement in the county led him to seek the commission seat.
“I believe I can be a conduit maybe to get our commission and our school board working better together,” he says, and likewise the county and city governments. “We need to work better together to solve problems. My passion is kids and family and community.”