The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Q&A: With James Smith
Village Council member talks about his new role in the community
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
James Smith is a member of the Dexter Village Council. He recently answered a Q&A for the Dexter Leader.
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Name: James Smith
Age: 59
Education: Master of Science in Educational Technology - Eastern Michigan University; Bachelor's degree in Geography, Economics, Teacher Certification Eastern Michigan University; Associate in Computers, Urban Planning - Washtenaw Community College
Occupation: Web Designer and Web Administrator
Family: Wife Nancy Ann; son Doug (Kimberly, children Taylor and Andrew) of Dexter; daughter Diane Vince (Colin) of Pinckney
Quote to live by: "There is more to life than being a spectator." - Unknown
Music to live by (favorite music): Country
Favorite place on earth: Turn 3 in grandstand at Michigan International Speedway with a perfect view of the cars of NASCAR coming down the backstretch.
Favorite movie: "Pure Country" with George Strait
Something people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a former air traffic controller.
Three people (living or dead) you would invite to dinner:
My Dad - I would love to talk with him again.
My Grandmother, Flora Smith - a Dexter Village historian, she died before I was born; I would have lots of questions to ask her about Dexter and its history.
Trisha Yearwood - I have had the pleasure of meeting her. She has such class and is so very down to earth. I would enjoy talking with her more.
You've been a member of the Dexter Village Council for about two months. What have been some of the issues that you've really dug into?
The way the Council operates - for instance, getting our meeting materials earlier so that we have more time to prepare for our meetings.
Communication with citizens - the town hall meetings are a step in the right direction.
Were those the issues you had in mind going into this?
There are a number of issues that we are looking at. Some have been discussed during the past year and others will make 2008 an interesting year to be on Council. In general, what I had in mind is to ask the questions that I feel the citizens would want asked.
What are some of the issues that you think the council still needs to come to grips with during the course of 2008?
In regard to communication with the citizens, we need to look at multiple methods. For the town hall meetings, we need to increase our promotional efforts to generate more interest in attending.
You've served on various boards and authorities in Dexter Village. What past experiences have you drawn on so far to perform as one of the village's six trustees?
Give and take in the interaction with other Council members; be a good listener; stand up for what you believe in; be willing to ask the right, and sometimes difficult, questions.
How has serving the public in an elected capacity changed, if at all, over the years, and how has it remained the same?
The differences: Sometimes we have more media coverage, the village government is now structured with a "strong manager" type of organization, and the cost of government has gone up considerably.
One thing is the same: The council is there to represent the citizens.
Everyone on the board has their niche. Jim Carson has really taken the lead on the Main Street Bridge Project and Joe Semifero is involved in various things, such as the Dexter Area Fire Authority. Where would you like to branch out on behalf of the village?
For now, I am a new member on the Facilities Committee looking at possible space for a new village office. I am also a member of a committee that is a follow-up to the bridge project, that will continue to look at options for the intersection of roads at the west end of the village with the issue of the railroad viaduct. If I run for office in November and get elected, I have additional areas of interest to express.
Give us your personal take on the village's potential transition to a city. It seems like that issue will be given another look, after this month's long-delayed town hall meeting.
Right now I could be described as being "on the fence" with this issue. I want to see more specific information about the pros and cons of changing to a city. My personal take is to question why we are on what appears to be the "fast track" toward becoming a city. I want to know, why the rush?
What was your reaction to the town hall meeting? Did it meet, exceed or fall below your expectations? If you see room for improvement, where would you like to see it?
I would like to have seen greater attendance. However, the meeting went well with the citizens and Council engaging in good discussions.
What are you doing these days professionally?
I work for the University of Michigan Health System in the Information Technology Department.
What do you like most about your job?
The people I interact with and the varied challenges of my job.
How did you get to where you are now?
Experience and confidence.
What do you like most about living/working in Dexter?
It is home. It has been my home for my life and that of my father.
People genuinely like living in Dexter. It has the character and community pride that would make me choose to live here even if I wasn't born here.
If you were giving a tour of Dexter to a friend, what would be some of your stops and why?
Dexter Bakery - the smell in the air as you walk down the street just draws you in;
Monument Park Gazebo - it is great to sit there and see so much of both the old and new of Dexter
Dexter Schools - the excellence of our school system brings such pride to our community
Gordon Hall and the Historical Society Museum - history speaks some important lessons
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