Former Smithfield Parks and Recreation Director Tim Johnson has filed for town council. Johnson threw his hat in the ring for the District 2 council seat Friday afternoon.
“I care deeply about our great community and wish to see Smithfield flourish as a more thriving, vibrant, and welcoming community; rich in opportunity and variety, including improved quality of life, new business, residential and economic development, continued excellent municipal services, and above all else, affordability.”
Johnson retired in 2014 after working 30 years in the parks and recreation department. The last 17 years he was the director. He has served the last 14 years on the Smithfield Fire Department and is also a member of the Smithfield Recreation Advisory Committee.
“Although I could never fill the shoes of my dad, Norman Johnson, my lifelong goal has been to be the type of community servant he was. He selflessly served the Town of Smithfield in a variety of ways for over 50 years, including a volunteer on Smithfield’s original Rescue Squad, the Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter, Assistant Chief, and Chief, a Town Councilman and Mayor.”
“I truly believe that my experience as an employee and volunteer for the Town of Smithfield, along with the numerous relationships within the community I have been so blessed to establish through that service, has prepared me well to serve the citizens of Smithfield as a Town Councilman. I look forward to the many challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Johnson is married to Debbie Bentley Johnson. They have three children Zach, Hannah and Christian.
A 1980 graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School, Johnson received a degree in Recreation Resources Administration from UNC Wilmington in 1984. He graduated in 1990 from NC State University with a dual Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Recreation Resources Administration.
After his 2014 retirement from the Town of Smithfield he worked two years as the Manager of Grants and Special Programs with the State of North Carolina Natural and Cultural Resources. Mr. Johnson was also named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Smithfield Rotary Club.
Johnson will challenge incumbent District 2 councilman Perry Harris who filed for reelection on Friday. The filing period will remain open until Noon on Friday, July 21st.
