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Army veteran to seek Ward VI commission seat

Albany Herald - 4/2/2019

April 02-- Apr. 2--ALBANY -- Retired U.S. Army veteran Leroy Smith said Tuesday he's ready to give the citizens of Albany's Ward VI something they haven't had much of in the last couple of years: an active voice on the Albany City Commission.

Smith, an Albany native who served in the U.S. Army for 22 years before moving back to his hometown in 2007, announced his plans to run for the Ward VI seat on the Albany Commission currently held by Tommie Postell. Postell, 82, has not made any official announcement about his possible re-election plans, but poor health has kept him from attending all but a few commission meetings over the past several months.

And while Smith is a political novice seeking office for the first time, he said he is no stranger to the issues that impact the city and the citizens in Ward VI.

"Ever since I moved back to Albany, I've been involved in city functions," Smith, a 1975 graduate of Albany High School, said. "I was very actively involved in the Shadowlawn sewer extension project (recently passed by the City Commission); I spearheaded efforts to contact the Department of Transportation about improvements needed at the intersection of Slappey Drive and Oglethorpe Boulevard, and I spearheaded the call to resurface Carver Avenue, which had deteriorated to little more than a wagon trail.

"I haven't been actively involved in politics, but I've been involved."

That involvement, Smith said, is what led to his ultimate decision to seek office.

"About a year ago, people in the ward started encouraging me to run (for the commission seat)," he said. "They'd come to me with issues, but I told them they should take the issues to our city commissioner. A lot of residents expressed frustration, saying our representative (Postell) has not been available.

"People started really talking to me the last nine months, so with encouragement from my family, I started praying about it. I asked God to guide me, and this is what He's led me to do."

Smith said he's kept a close eye on issues that impact the city and Ward VI, and those issues are what led to the development of a platform that will focus on:

-- Continued recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael and twin January 2017 storms;

-- Providing necessary resources that will allow the Albany Police Department the best opportunity to combat crime;

-- Focusing on the city's aging sewer system;

-- Work to continue improving the city's image.

"Look, I think our city is heading in the right direction," Smith said. "I believe that with my leadership and commitment to service, I can work with the other members of the commission to continue moving us in a positive direction."

Smith said he developed an interest in health care while attending Albany High and worked at Palmyra Park Hospital for a period after graduation. He gave law enforcement a try, found it was not to his liking and took a recruiter at his word when the recruiter told Smith he could pursue health care as a career while serving in the military.

He joined the Army and pursued his passion throughout his 22-year career, working as a combat medic, an emergency medical technician and as director of primary specialty care, family practice and pediatric clinics while serving in the military.

When Smith opted out of the military in Texas, he gave public education a try but found it was not his calling. He started a transportation business, sold it after a year and a half, and then moved home to help care for his ailing mother and to be close to his family that by then included grandchildren.

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