Friday, November 8, 2002
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Friday, November 8, 2002 |
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Smola edges out incumbent Cannon to become a Tyrone Town Councilman By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Though it sounds like a cliche', every vote does count. Just look at Tuesday's election for a spot on the Tyrone Town Council. Mike Smola challenged incumbent Ronnie Cannon and won by 16 votes, 544-528. "Wow, that was close," said Smola after the votes were tallied and he learned that he had edged out Cannon for the seat. Though his campaign was quiet, the entire town of Tyrone may have been able to hear his sigh of relief. "I intentionally ran a quiet campaign because my opponent is very vocal and demonstrative," Smola said. "I perceived that the town wanted a change and I'm looking forward to being some new blood on the council." Smola, a finance manager for ASA/Delta Air Lines, has been following the goings-on in Tyrone by regularly attending Planning and Zoning and Town Council meetings. He sees Tyrone as a pressure point in the coming years because it is between development in Peachtree City and development coming down Ga. Highway 74 from I-85. "I'm a pragmatist. I realize there will be some development," explained Smola. "I would like to see strong adherence to the Land Use Map, though." Smola also felt that Tyrone was becoming rather isolationist and having trouble getting along with other entities, including Fayette County government. He wants to be more practical and less emotional, while working with the consensus of the council. Smola is now part of a husband-wife team in county politics, as his wife, Janet, is a member of the Fayette County Board of Education. Both he and Janet feel that service to the community is important and they are illustrating this to their three sons by example. As for a possible recount, town manager Barry Amos and assistant manager Valerie Fowler could not be reached until after the paper went to press. Cannon could also not be reached for comment.
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