Announcing his bid for a third term today, Smyrna Town Council Member Tim Morrell said he wants to continue his work toward improving the quality of life for his fellow residents.

"We've worked on improving the quality of life for Smyrna residents. Ultimately, we want residents to live, work, and play in Smyrna. We've worked on improving infrastructure to attract retail and commercial investments, which has resulted in more jobs, increased sales tax revenue, and lower property tax rates. Our retail growth is also one of the reasons our property taxes are low. Smyrna is now the 14^th largest city in Tennessee with the 3^rd lowest tax rate. I want to continue to be a part of these efforts," Morrell, the only candidate to have served on the Council, said.

Those efforts have earned Smyrna numerous accolades: ranked Top 25 Best Places to Retire by Forbes in 2016, Second Most Affordable City in Tennessee by livability.com in 2016, Top 10 Places to Retire by U.S. News & World Reports, 12^th Safest City in Tennessee by backgroundcheck.org and 6^th Safest City in Tennessee by Movado.com.

Morrell is Vice Chair of the Smyrna Planning Commission, a Council Representative on the Rutherford County Economic Development Board, and a member of the Lowry Street Revitalization Committee.

"The Planning Commission adopted a design review that requires higher standards, such as quality building materials, sidewalks, and amenities for new subdivisions. We've increased the greenways and will open the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Event Center soon, all quality-of-life improvements that attract major manufacturers and retailers," Morrell said.

"I was talking with a CEO of a company that was considering moving its operations to Smyrna. He said, 'Everyone has dirt. I want to make sure people have things to do in this town.' The company was a major employer who ultimately relocated here," Morrell said.

Transportation improvements in progress include work on Sam Ridley Parkway and the Rocky Fork/ Enon Springs roads interchange and a traffic light system that works according to traffic flows.

Educational opportunities and access to specialized medical care are other benefits Morrell and the Council have worked to bring to Smyrna. He supports the expansion and growth of Motlow State Community College, which boasts the largest campus for a 2-year college in the State.

"The Tennessee College of Applied Technology and Nissan's joint venture to build a training facility will provide opportunities for our workforce to receive training, in areas like IT technology, robotics, and more, for the jobs of the future," Morrell said.

"We used to have to go to Nashville or Murfreesboro to be treated by medical specialists. You can now receive world class care in Smyrna," he said.

Morrell is an insurance agent for Miller Loughry Beach Insurance in Smyrna, with almost 30 years' experience in the insurance industry. He serves on the Rotary Club of Smyrna's Board of Trustees and is a Paul Harris Fellow, a designation given based on philanthropic activity. Morrell is a former Board member of the North Rutherford YMCA and United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

Morrell has lived in Smyrna for 34 years. He and his, wife, Donna, have four children and eight grandchildren and attend Life Point Church.