October 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Smithville has a new alderman.
Beth Chandler was appointed Monday night upon the recommendation of Mayor Josh Miller. The aldermen voted to make the appointment during the regular monthly meeting. Chandler will fill the remaining two years of Gayla Hendrix’s unexpired alderman term. Hendrix resigned last month after being appointed Smithville Municipal Judge.
“I think Ms Hendrix and I probably did not agree on all of our politics but we worked really well together. When we run for office at this table, we run non-partisan. We can be Democrats and Republicans out there (community) but here at this table we are non-partisan. Our job is to help keep the city moving forward. I think we have done a good job at that,” said Mayor Miller.
“Tonight my recommendation to the board is Beth Chandler. This lady has owned a small business. She is a member of Leadership DeKalb and has been very active in extracurricular school activities. She is very active in our community. The bottom line is I think she will be a great asset to our town and I think she will help keep moving us forward. I would like to recommend that we appoint Beth Chandler to the city council,” said Mayor Miller
Alderman Danny Washer moved to follow the mayor’s recommendation. Alderman Brandon Cox offered a second to the motion and Aldermen Shawn Jacobs and Jessica Higgins joined Washer and Cox in voting for Chandler to get the appointment.