Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
New member joins city council
Jessica Smith
DAVENPORT – Jessica Smith was sworn in as the next city councilmember at council's Dec. 22 meeting, becoming the only new councilmember entering 2022. She was sworn in along with re-elected members Cory Hollis, Lance Strite and Patrick Katz.
Smith is replacing Theresa Telford on council. Telford didn't file for re-election in 2021.
"When you live in a community, you have to give back at some point," Smith said on her desire to run for city council.
Smith has lived in Davenport for nine and a half years with her husband, Aaron Smith, who works at the Bureau of Reclamation. The Smiths have three grown children.
She originally ran for school board two years ago to try her hand at public office. She became interested in city council during discussions and debates of whether the city should form its own police force or continue contracting with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in 2020. The latter was ultimately the decision.
"I started reading during that discussion, which I found interesting," Smith said. "And here we are."
Smith was unopposed in her run for city council this year.
"I hope I can bring a different perspective as a new person," Smith said. "I didn't grow up here, and a lot of people on council have lived here all their lives, so that'll just be something different I can bring."
She said she hasn't formed an opinion yet on some issues facing the city, such as the balance between growth and remaining a small town.
"I'm more into listening to people and trying to do what they want me to do without stepping on too many toes," Smith said. "No major issues have come up (this year on council), so I'm still learning and growing my perspective."
Smith grew up in Massachusetts and spent time in Nevada, Idaho and California as her family frequently moved to accommodate her father's work on power plants.
She has been employed at New Alliance Counseling on 12th and Merriam Streets for two years. Prior to that, she spent eight years at Farmers Insurance.
Being on city council provides her the opportunity to wade into politics, a topic that she said has always interested her.
"I enjoy the debates and seeing where everybody lands," Smith said. "I'm interested in finding the happy medium between the divide, especially in today's climate."
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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