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Marietta Daily Journal, Smyrna mayor candidates square-off in public debate

Patch, Meet the Candidates: Alex Backry

Alex grew up in Boston and has lived in Connecticut and Arizona before settling in Smyrna in 1981. He holds degrees in management and business science from the University of Massachusetts and Arizona State University.

Alex worked at Iberia Airlines for 14 years in the department of sales and marketing.

Alex Backry's campaign for the City of Smyrna Mayor is his first entry into politics. Previously he ran the mayoral race five times, but did not win. He also ran for city council member, ward six but did not win.

As of August 23, 2023, Alex Backry did not have a website or any information online.

Natural Resources & the Environment

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Public Services

Supported previously installing additional traffic lights.

- Supported previously installing additional traffic lights.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Alex Backry

Derek grew up in Cobb County. He lived in Smyrna for 15 years. He holds a bachelor's degree in international business from the University of Georgia. He is married and has two children.

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Derek worked at Medical Association of Georgia as the Director of Government Relations. He also worked at Atlanta and Georgia Apartment Associations. He first served as the Director of Government Affairs and then as the Vice President, Government Affairs.

Derek Norton is currently the Mayor of Smyrna. He was first elected in 2019 and has been in office for one term. Previously he served as a City Council Member of Smyrna, Ward one, from 2016 to 2019.

Wants to execute planning and construction of new recreational amenities including a Smyrna aquatics center, gymnastics facility, tennis and pickle ball courts, and turf athletic fields.

Initiated the installation of energy efficient lighting and systems throughout the city to reduce Smyrna’s carbon footprint.

- Wants to execute planning and construction of new recreational amenities including a Smyrna aquatics center, gymnastics facility, tennis and pickle ball courts, and turf athletic fields.
- Initiated the installation of energy efficient lighting and systems throughout the city to reduce Smyrna’s carbon footprint.

As of August 23, 2023, Derek Norton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Raised previously the salaries of public safety professionals.

- Raised previously the salaries of public safety professionals.

Created “Downtown Refresh,”: an open space with two new parks, a splash pad, Stillfire Brewing, and a parking deck.

- Created “Downtown Refresh,”: an open space with two new parks, a splash pad, Stillfire Brewing, and a parking deck.

Wants to carry on with South Cobb Drive improvements vision and implementation.

Secured $17 million for South Cobb Drive improvements from Concord Road to Windy Hill.

- Wants to carry on with South Cobb Drive improvements vision and implementation.
- Secured $17 million for South Cobb Drive improvements from Concord Road to Windy Hill.

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Derek Norton

Ken Hymes is from North Carolina. He attended Morehouse College. He is a father of one daughter and currently lives in the Smyrna area.

Ken Hymes is an information technology product manager. He works at Warner Bros., where he has been for 23 years.

Cobb County Courier, Q&A With Ken Hymes: Smyrna Mayoral Candidate

Ken Hymes's campaign for mayor is his first entry into politics.

Wants to preserve the tree canopy and existing tree structures in the city.

- Wants to preserve the tree canopy and existing tree structures in the city.

Wants to increase the inventory of affordable housing within the city.

Plans to fund environmentally-friendly housing developments.

- Wants to increase the inventory of affordable housing within the city.
- Plans to fund environmentally-friendly housing developments.

As of August 30, 2023, Ken Hymes’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to further fund parks, recreation, and the arts.

Wants downtown to be "a welcoming, walkable area and space that’s accessibility-friendly."

Wants to ensure "that all citizens have access to and opportunities to comment on any major financial transactions BEFORE negotiations begin."

Said he is "in favor of downtown development, as long as it’s smart development and that we’re using our resources efficiently to deploy mixed-use development and designs that bring businesses, services, restaurants, and attractions that the citizens want."

- Plans to further fund parks, recreation, and the arts.
- Wants downtown to be "a welcoming, walkable area and space that’s accessibility-friendly."
- Wants to ensure "that all citizens have access to and opportunities to comment on any major financial transactions BEFORE negotiations begin."
- Said he is "in favor of downtown development, as long as it’s smart development and that we’re using our resources efficiently to deploy mixed-use development and designs that bring businesses, services, restaurants, and attractions that the citizens want."

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Ken Hymes

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Smyrna Mayor

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Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

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Transportation & Infrastructure