One of the longest serving public officials, in either city or county government, will be exiting office after this month following a cumulative 31 years as a member of the Albany City Council.

James “Smitty” Smith, 79, was first elected to a seat on the council back in 1978 and barring a couple of terms in which he did not serve, put in a total of over three decades, including one term being for three years when state government pushed to make all local elections fall in “even” years, which gave elected officials an extra year to serve back in the 1990s.

Smith, who is also a now-retired long-time businessman and farmer, served a total of 15 terms and recalls when he was first on the council, the position paid a hefty $1 per month.

The outgoing councilman has seen a lot of changes within the city and county over the years and decades and noted some of the more major accomplishments that have taken place over that time.

Smith served when city water became available to almost all residents of the county and was in office during two new sewer treatment facilities being constructed and two new fire stations, actually helping with the design of the former fire station years ago.

Smith also said he was in office during the Downtown Revitalization Project that took place in Albany just a few years ago and when the city helped get the stop lights installed on Hwy. 127 near McDonald’s, as well as adding some sidewalks in some areas of the city. He did say, however, he would like to see more sidewalks in the city limits, including to the high school and on Hwy. 738 to Albany Manor.

The councilman also noted that even though the city didn’t get much credit, the mayor at the time, the late James Brown, and the city council did support and help in getting Cagles (now Equity Group) to locate here.

When Smith first served on the council, the current “new” city hall was a garage that was purchased by the city and renovated into the current Albany City Hall, complete with offices and conference room and kitchen type area. The old city hall portion is now used as the city’s water department office.

Even before becoming a city council member, Smith served as chairman of Golden Harvest Village (Housing Authority), a position he has held for 36 years.

Smith is also pleased that in the last 20 years as a councilman, he has not voted to increase city taxes.

Smith said he was going to miss working with other city officials and being around people when he leaves office next year, including the mayor, council members and the public. He has served with a total of six different mayors since the late 70s, and said about the position another thing he would miss is being a voice for the citizens of Albany and representing them to the best of his ability.

Smith said the duties of a council member are varied, including seeing the city is managed properly, assisting the mayor in making decisions that concern the city and correcting problems when they arise, as well as working to help gain new business and industry.

“Smitty,” as he is affectionately called, owned and operated Smitty’s Drive-In near his home in south Albany for some 38 years, starting May 18, 1962 and closing July 4, 2000.

Smith, who was born and raised in the Central Grove Community, also farmed in his earlier years before leasing and working in Cleveland, Ohio for Kroger’s from 1950-1961 before moving back home and opening his very successful drive-in restaurant.

Smith and his wife of 59 years, Shelva (Hughes) Smith–who helped operate Smitty’s Drive-In throughout the years, have a daughter, Sherry Shepherd and two grandsons, Brandon, a senior at the University of Kentucky and Brett, a high school senior.

He noted that he planned on dedicating his time to take care of his wife and vice versa and closed by thanking the citizens of Albany for putting their faith and confidence in him over the years.