Marvin Smith, Republican 

Question:  Why did you decide to run for Road Superintendent?

Answer: It’s a career I’ve always done. I’ve always been interested in equipment, and working outside and everything. And really the people of Bledsoe County, I want to show the people of Bledsoe County that I can do a good job for them.

Question: What are your qualifications for office?

Answer: Well, I have been certified by the state twice. I’ve ran equipment all my life. I have worked with the highway department in years past and I certainly like to show the people that I care for them and I want to do a good job. Be in Nashville for them. Any grants, any state aids, anything that I can do. If they tell me or send me a letter that they got money to be distributed, well I want to be in Nashville and get our part of it. And even more if I can.

Question: If elected, what do you think is the big problem you would have to face? How do you plan to correct it?

Answer: Probably the roads. People are wanting the roads paved and tarred and chipped in some way and I think if you have the money that’s what we should do. Do it year by year, and not wait a fourth year and round up and save up money to do it. Just do it as you have the money to do it. I believe that’s the way it should be done. Like I said, by state aid help, grants, being in Nashville for the grants. Establishing the ditches, putting crowns in the road where the water will run off the road instead of down the road, and installing tiles, proper tiles. I think getting the roads ready for the tarring and chipping is one thing that has to be established first. Trees have to be trimmed, ditches have to be ditched, proper tile and stuff put in before we even do that. We don’t want to have to go back and dig them up and put a tile in, we want to get it all ready, prep it is what I believe.

Question: How do you think the office of Road Superintendent is currently viewed?

Answer: Well, Mr. Frazier has obviously done a good job. He has done a lot of roads. I would say he is a fair man.

Question: What three things in your life do you consider to be most important to you?

Answer: Well, Jesus Christ is the first and my family and the way that I handle myself towards other people.

Question: How do you hope the people of Bledsoe County will remember you by after your term?