David Smalley for Sylvania Town Council Place 4
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
SYLVANIA, Ala. — Longtime Sylvania area resident and businessman David Smalley has announced his candidacy for Sylvania Town Council Place 4. His family is longtime members of Concord Baptist Church. Smalley has two sons, three stepchildren, and five grandchildren.
Professionally, Smalley has been a business owner and farmer. For most of his working career, Smalley has been involved with the family business; a mechanical millwright company. The company does business not only across the country, but around the world. Currently, his oldest son runs the millwright company and his youngest son manages the family poultry farm.
Smalley currently runs his own custom hay farm that specializes in Coastal Bermuda. He also has a small mechanic’s shop that he enjoys as more of a hobby. He is the previous owner of Sylvania Tobacco. Smalley also has nine years of experience as a firefighter in Henagar, and understands how this crucial department operates.
Smalley’s entire family, including himself, has attended or is still attending Sylvania High School. They are big Rams fans and very supportive of anything to do with the school.
When it comes to Sylvania’s town government, Smalley has seen a lot of good things happen with the current council, and seeks to continue all the progress that has been made.
“We went from not even knowing if they will be able to make payroll several years ago for the city employees,” Smalley pointed out, “and the current council has been able to turn that around and generate enough funds to start making improvements to the infrastructure of this town.”
“Our city streets have been overlooked for years. They are in horrible shape. They have implemented resurfacing these roads,” said Smalley.
“I want to continue that,” he added.
Smalley made it clear that he’s a strong fiscal conservative; even at the municipal level. While many candidates talk of new construction projects, he believes in spending the town’s money wisely, and making improvements when they are necessary and affordable.
“I’m not going in as a fireball candidate who is promising the world,” Smalley said.
“We can’t afford it. I’m not one to put the town into debt by loans. I want to work with what we’ve got and eliminate foolish spending,” he said.
“You can promise the world, but in the end you’ve got to pay for it,” Smalley added.
Having served nine years and achieving the rank of Lieutenant on the Henagar Fire Department, Smalley understands the needs of public safety departments and also what role they play in improving the town.
“I understand the fire department, I understand the ISO fire suppression ratings and the equipment needed to meet the ISO rating we have at this point, or improve it,” he said.
“We definitely don’t want to lose our ISO rating. The better the rating, the cheaper the insurance costs to businesses and residents,” Smalley added.
“I want to improve our town, but I want to maintain our small town way of life, and keep the things that make Sylvania a great place to live,” said Smalley.
David Smalley will be on the Sylvania municipal ballot on August 23. His opponent for the Place 4 seat is Gary Ferguson.
If you would like to get involved with David Smalley’s campaign or get more information, visit his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/smalleyforsylvania.
If you have any questions for him, you can reach him by email at smalleyforsylvania@gmail.com.
