My name is Daryl Smith and I am running for Supervisor, District Two. I was raised in the Henleyfield-Millcreek Community and have been a lifelong resident of Pearl River County.

My father, the late G.W. and mother, Gladys Gayle Kenmar Smith, raised me to understand the meaning of the words family, hard work and commitment.

I am the husband of the former Allison Haney, of Quitman. We have been married for 13 years and have a son, Jonathan Daryl, who is a sixth grader at Pearl River Central Middle School. Allison has been a teacher at Pearl River Central Middle School for the past 12 years.

We are members of Lee’s Chapel in Millcreek, where I serve on the building committee.

I graduated from Pearl River Central High School in 1981 where I participated in sports and in campus activities.

In making my decision to seek public office to represent my neighbors, my friends and all of the people in my district, I remember my father’s commitment to make things better for my mother, my brother, my sisters, and myself.

At age 44, I have worked over 20 years in construction, maintenance and infrastructure service. The past six years I have been responsible for formulating and administering a multi-million dollar budget.

I spent seven years in maintenance and grounds beautification with the Picayune Housing Authority. In 1994, I joined the maintenance and grounds crew of the Picayune Municipal Separate School District.

Looking for advancement, in 2001, I accepted a field supervisor position with the city of Picayune in the Public Works Department. My duties for the past six years include working on the annual budget, overseeing project implementations, personnel assignments and heavy equipment operations.

I am very proud of the work our city crews have done in emergency and storm related recovery projects undertaken in recent years, particularly during the post-Katrina cleanup efforts.

I am a board member of the Henleyfield Volunteer Fire Department. I am a firefighter and certified First Responder, holding the rank of Captain in the department.

In 2001, the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce presented me with their Volunteer Fireman of the Year award. I have twice been named Fireman of the Year by the Henleyfield Volunteer Fire Department. In 2000, I received Pearl River County’s Fireman of the Year award.

My love of sports has spurred my involvement in our community’s recreational programs. I have served two terms as president to the Henleyfield Community Center.

I believe I have the knowledge, the experience and the commitment to work with other city, county and state officials to promote job opportunities in Pearl River County, to keep our roads and highways litter free and safe, and to create new and rewarding opportunities for our young people.

If elected, no more will our roadways become a dumping site of choice. Our county’s waste disposal issues will be among my top priorities. I will work along side other dedicated elected officials to keep your taxes down, the county’s budget tight and to eliminate wasteful spending at all levels of county government.

I will cooperate with the sheriff’s department to fight drugs and crime wherever they exist. I support the use of inmate labor for countywide roadside cleanup.

As I see it, a county supervisor has the responsibility to prepare his people for the future, adjust to the present and always provide needed services with a high rate of proficiency at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.

I believe I know how to get these things accomplished with your help. Give me a call after 6 p.m. at 601-799-1980 and let me know what you think. I need your vote on Tuesday, Aug. 7, in the Republican Primary. Thank you.