SMYRNA – Former Marine combat veteran, Smyrna Town Councilman Steve Sullivan, announced his re-election bid to continue the work he began eight years ago: improving infrastructure, expanding roads, supporting emergency services, creating parks, and managing growth to enhance Smyrna's quality of life.
“One of my main goals is to continue making Smyrna a great place not only to work and raise a family but also to retire," Sullivan said. "I initially campaigned on making Cedar Stone Park a reality because it had been 35 years since Smyrna invested in athletic fields. This park met a crucial need in the town and now generates millions annually from tournament-related revenue, including food, lodging, and shopping. As Smyrna grows, I am committed to managing that growth.”
Sullivan collaborated with the mayor, council, federal, state, and local officials, as well as the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, to achieve the following:
INFRASTRUCTURE:
· Increased the capacity of the state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant
· Implemented the ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) linking traffic signals in town to reduce congestion and address traffic flow issues quickly.
ROADS:
· Widened Sam Ridley Parkway
· Widened Jefferson Pike
· Extended Enon Springs Road West
· Improved Rock Springs Road
· Widened Florence Road and added sidewalks
· Expanded and extended Genie Lane
EMERGENCY SERVICES:
· Increased pay for police officers
· Funded new police cruisers
· Installed LPR (License Plate Readers) and body cameras (first in the county to do both)
· Constructed the Fire Hall on Jefferson Pike, one of six fire halls in Smyrna
· Expanded the Enon Springs Fire Hall
· Funded 5 new Fire Apparatus
PARKS & REC:
· Completed Phase 1 and started Phase 2 of Cedar Stone Park
· Built the Capt. Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial
· Implemented Golf Now online tee times for the Smyrna Golf Course, helping make the course profitable
· Remodeled Lee Victory Recreation Park with a new entrance
· Constructed Freedom playground and added five new playgrounds across town
· Added pickleball opportunities at parks
· Built a new outdoor stage at Front Street
“When people look for a well-managed town, they look at Smyrna. We have not had a property tax increase in 11 years, and Standard and Poor’s recently awarded us a AAA bond rating. Smyrna was recently recognized with the Tennessee Municipal League’s award for Excellence in Governance, and last year, Fortune magazine rated Smyrna one of the Top 50 best places to live for families,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan attended Middle Tennessee State University before transferring to Trevecca Nazarene University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Management/Human Relations and a Master of Business Administration.
Prior to his two-decade career in information technology, Sullivan served in the United States Marine Corps following graduation from Smyrna High School. A combat veteran, Sullivan operated on the front lines of Desert Storm and helped remove Iraqi troops from Kuwait. He is currently Legal Operations and E-discovery Manager for Nissan Americas.
Sullivan is Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, a member and former Chairman of the Rutherford County Library Board, and a former board member of the Smyrna Girls Softball League and Smyrna Baseball League. Since 2013, Sullivan has served as President of the Smyrna Adult Softball League and is a past volunteer coach for girls softball at Thurman Francis Middle School, boys baseball at Smyrna Middle School, youth league soccer, Smyrna Baseball League, Smyrna Girls Softball league, and Smyrna Fastpitch league.
Sullivan and his wife, Pam, have been married for 32 years and attend World Outreach Church. Their daughter Stephanie is married to Kaleb Gonyea and their son Kevin is engaged to Kennedy Kimbel.
The Smyrna Municipal Election is on November 5, with early voting from October 16-31. The last day to register to vote is October 7.
Source: Release from Steve Sullivan for Smyrna Town Council
