VIDEO: Reflecting On A Legacy

SMITHVILLE, Miss.(WCBI)—After serving the town of Smithville for more than a decade, Gregg Kennedy will complete his last term as mayor at the end of June.

Smithville, under mayor Kennedy’s administration, experienced an EF5 tornado in 2011 that left more than half the town in shambles.

” I want people to remember, I’m still here. I’m still available to help whenever I can, but now at the end of this month my role will be limited,”said Smithville Mayor Gregg Kennedy.

After 16 years in office, the town of Smithville says goodbye to Kennedy as mayor.

“Well in my opinion he’s done an excellent job. He’s been here for years and everything he’s done is to try to help the community. I’m just disappointed that he didn’t go back in,”said Smithville resident Jerry Roche.

Kennedy served as aldermen for eight years before becoming mayor. Smithville resident Martha Garner says he has always had a servant’s heart.

“I just reflect back on when the tornado hit Smithville. His family very seldom saw him for months on in. He sacrificed everything trying to get the town back together and to help the community,”said Garner.

Kennedy was instrumental in the clean up efforts in his own town in 2011 but when the 2014 EF4 tornado struck the Winston County Area, according to mayor Will Hill, Kennedy was there lending a helping hand and offering a sense of calmness among chaos.

“I’d seen the need. I worked at True Temper Sports Center in Amory. I asked for a three month leave of absence. I helped out everywhere I could. Louisville has a special place in my heart. I love the people. I love being in the community,”said Kennedy.

Garner says she will fully support Mayor Elect Earl Cowley but Kennedy will truly be missed.

” It was kind of a shock to me. Mr. Cowley is a fine fellow. I’m sure he will do a fine job but I was a little surprised with that. It will all just be new to us,”said Garner.
Kennedy says most of all he hopes the community remembers him the way he was.

“I want people to realize it wasn’t a job. I’m a public servant. Even though my term is ending, I want my legacy to be I was a working mayor. I’m not a behind the desk kind of guy. If it takes me putting my rubber boots on and helping fix a water line, or fighting a fire, or do whatever, that’s just the type of guy I am,”said Kennedy.

Kennedy says since the he isn’t limited by how many terms he can serve as Mayor, he may consider running again in the future.