City of Smyrna Mayoral Candidate Q and A with Ken Hymes

The municipal elections for five of the seven cities in Cobb County are currently underway. This includes Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Powder Springs, and Smyrna . Candidates are running for Mayor and City Council seats in these various municipalities. Some candidates are running unopposed, while others have challengers.  

The Cobb County Democracy Center, in partnership with Spotlight, believes that voter engagement and informed decision-making are crucial in shaping the future of these cities and we encourage everyone to exercise your rights to vote for the candidates of your choice.

Candidates within competitive races have been asked to provide their positions on various issues to allow voters to gain insights into their perspectives and priorities as voters go to the polls. 

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: Tell voters about yourself.

KEN HYMES: I have been a proud resident of Smyrna for 23 years, and I am excited to share with your readers information about my candidacy for the position of Mayor of Smyrna. My motivation to run for this office is simple: my deep love for Smyrna and a strong desire to bring back trust in our government, promote responsible fiscal management, ensure transparency, and cultivate a servant-leader mentality in the mayor’s office. This way, Smyrna can truly become a better community for all who call it home.

Professionally, I’ve held leadership positions in several Fortune 500 companies and currently serve as the Director of Product Management at Warner Brothers Discovery. Beyond my career, I am an active community advocate. I’ve served as a board member for my neighborhood’s HOA, volunteered as a math tutor in the metro Atlanta area, and contributed my time to various community organizations, including the Atlanta Food Bank. I’m also a mentor for young professionals starting their business careers. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I actively participate in community service activities across the county.

Originally hailing from North Carolina, I chose to further my education locally at Morehouse College. I am committed to making a positive impact on Smyrna and its residents, and I am excited about the opportunity to serve as Smyrna’s next Mayor.

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: Why are you the right choice for Mayor of Smyrna and why should voters cast their ballots for you?

KEN HYMES: Ethical leadership should be a top consideration for voters in this election and I am prepared to compare my ethics to the ethics of the other candidates and let voters be the judge. Citizens should know that I am objectively the best candidate for Mayor of Smyrna because I will be ‘their Mayor’ and represent ‘their interests’, not my own. I am not a career politician or lobbyist, like others in the race. I will not be owned or controlled by big developers or special interest groups. I will make decisions based on what is best for the citizens of Smyrna, not outside interests.

Voters should also know that I will be accessible to the people of Smyrna and create an atmosphere where they know that their concerns and ideas matter. As the next Mayor, I will actively engage with residents to address their needs, not my own or special interest groups. I pledge to manage our city’s finances prudently and work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively. I am passionate about enhancing the quality of life for all Smyrna residents which includes improved educational opportunities, cultural enrichment, and recreational activities, while protecting the great community we call home. I have a clear vision for Smyrna that includes all of us, working together to achieve our brighter future.  With the support and vote of the citizens of Smyrna, I am excited about working to make that vision a reality as the next Mayor of this great city.  

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: What experience will you bring to this role?

KEN HYMES: In terms of experience and leadership, my extensive business background and past professional positions provide me with a wealth of expertise in business management, collaboration, and leadership. As a project management professional, I bring a valuable skill set to the City, which encompasses the ability to ensure large, complex projects are managed on time and within budget, among other essential skills. Moreover, my hands-on involvement in grassroots community service within Smyrna equips me with the necessary capabilities to lead Smyrna effectively and efficiently towards a brighter future.

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: Give voters your thoughts on Ethical Leadership and why it should be a factor they consider as they elect the next Mayor of Smyrna.

KEN HYMES: Ethical leadership is a fundamental aspect of good governance and is of paramount importance when choosing the next Mayor of Smyrna. Ethical Leadership in government is the cornerstone to prevent corruption and conflicts of interest within government and is the foundation of a just and thriving community. It ensures that the elected Mayor acts with honesty, accountability, and in the best interests of the people.

Ethical leadership is built on trust and integrity and voters should be able to trust that their elected officials will act with honesty, transparency, and fairness, especially behind closed doors. As Mayor, I pledge to act ethically and avoid making decisions for personal gain at the expense of the community. I will be a positive role model for the community, especially for our youth, and set an example of ethical behavior and values from day one that can inspire others to act with integrity and contribute to the betterment of our city. I will operate with those standards to maintain the trust of the community. I pledge transparency in Smyrna’s government and encourage the citizens to hold me accountable for my actions.

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: Other Cobb cities are actively looking at setting up ethics committees to review complaints and remedy conflicts of interest by city officials. Smyrna’s City Charter speaks to unethical behavior by city officials but has not created an independent ethics committee. As Smyrna Mayor, would you consider setting up an Ethics Committee to address unethical behavior in Smyrna’s government? 

KEN HYMES: Yes, I absolutely support the idea of establishing an independent Ethics Committee in Smyrna to address unethical behavior within our city government. Transparency, accountability, and the highest ethical standards are crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that the government operates in the best interest of the community. Once I am elected as Smyrna Mayor, I will actively work towards creating an Ethics Committee that will have the authority to review complaints, investigate unethical behavior, and address any conflicts of interest involving city officials and staff. This committee will serve as a crucial mechanism for upholding the ethical standards outlined in the City Charter and will promote a culture of integrity and responsibility within Smyrna’s government. It’s essential that residents have confidence in their local government, knowing that there are measures in place to prevent and address unethical conduct. I will ensure this committee has the authority to address unethical behavior with reprimands/penalties that fit the magnitude of the violation. Establishing an Ethics Committee is a significant step in achieving this goal, and I am fully committed to making it a reality in Smyrna.

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: Tell voters your thoughts on Transparency in Government.

KEN HYMES: Unlike the current mayor of Smyrna, I believe in transparency in government. I am dedicated to fostering a transparent and open government and will ensure that my administration adheres to this commitment. Smyrna residents deserve to know how their city is being governed. I will ensure that rules governing conflicts of interest are fully enforced, and that community input on key matters will govern our decisions, not special interests groups. I will insist on following the City’s documented processes and following a business model that delivers the best services possible to Smyrna.

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: What are your thoughts on Smyrna’s economy?

KEN HYMES: I believe that a thriving economy benefits all Smyrna residents and I see economic development as a key area. I have a comprehensive plan for driving economic growth which includes attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones through the establishment of a business incubator, and creating job opportunities by partnering with businesses to create continuity plans that support their growth. Smyrna has tremendous opportunities for businesses and with this level of support, we can empower their success.

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: Share with voters your views on Smyrna’s infrastructure.

KEN HYMES: I am deeply committed to the maintenance and improvement of Smyrna’s infrastructure. This commitment means ensuring that ongoing projects in our city are not only completed on time and within budget, but also adhere to environmentally responsible and sustainable practices. It’s essential that our roads, public transit, and parks contribute to a greener, more sustainable Smyrna. By managing projects efficiently and with a focus on sustainability, we can create a better future for our community, where residents can enjoy the benefits of well-maintained, environmentally friendly infrastructure. Electing leadership that prioritizes infrastructure needs over frivolous wants is an investment in the long-term prosperity of Smyrna. It ensures that decisions are made with a focus on sustainable development, environmental responsibility, and the overall well-being of the city and its residents.

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: Share your thoughts on Diversity and Inclusion and why it is important in Smyrna.

KEN HYMES: Smyrna is a beautifully diverse city, a true melting pot of people from all walks of life who have chosen to call Smyrna home. This diversity has organically enriched our community, making it a vibrant and welcoming place to live. I am a fervent advocate for diversity and inclusivity and firmly believe that a strong and harmonious community is an inclusive one, where every resident, regardless of their background, feels not only valued but also fully represented in the decisions that shape our city’s future. Together, we can celebrate our differences and build a Smyrna that is truly a place where everyone belongs. I will always consider the needs and concerns of all members of the community, regardless of their background, and strive to create policies that benefit everyone. I’ve always believed that the best ideas come from the community of ideas crafted by a diverse community, and I believe this continues to be one of the hidden strengths of Smyrna. Therefore, we should encourage each other to continue to support diversity and inclusion in all that we do.

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: What are your thoughts on Smyrna’s Public Safety?

KEN HYMES: As Smyrna Mayor, I will work tirelessly to support our public safety teams and first responders, so they can continue to ensure the safety of our residents in the most effective way. This includes advocating for increased pay, securing the best state of the art technologies and equipment, providing the latest training for our staff, fostering increased citizen partnerships, and seeking out the industry best practices that can be integrated into our programs. 

COBB COUNTY DEMOCRACY CENTER: Please give us a closing statement.  

KEN HYMES: Smyrna voters should choose me as the next mayor because of my unwavering commitment to listening to their concerns and prioritizing their needs for the betterment of our community. They should support me because I will be a good steward of their tax dollars and all state/federal funds that the City receives. Lastly, I will be transparent about the key decisions and expenditures that we make on their behalf. My vision is for a more prosperous and inclusive future for our city that is based on strategic planning, not a hodge-podge collection of projects. Voters should know that I will always choose Smyrna citizens and I ask them to choose me as their next Mayor. 

To follow Ken Hymes, go to his social media sites: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Hymes4Smyrna

Website: https://hymes4smyrna.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hymes4Smyrna/?show_switched_toast=0&show_invite_to_follow=0&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0&show_community_review_changes=0&show_community_rollback=0&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=0

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hymes4Smyrna