City Council bids farewell to Kyle Smith
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree Salute To Service El Campo Mayor Phillip Spenrath, left, presented outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Smith with a plaque commemorating his service to the city during Tuesday's Council meeting. Smith resigned from Council last month to take a job with the Small Business Development Center.

With a 24-item resolution and a hearty thank you, El Campo City Council officially bid adieu to Councilman Kyle Smith Tuesday night.

"You're one of the few Longhorns I actually like," Councilman Ed Erwin said wishing Smith well in his new endeavor as a director with the Small Business Development Center.

Smith resigned last month to avoid a conflict with his new job - one which will involve coordination with municipallyfunded El Campo City Development Corp. and Northside Center efforts.

Mayor Phillip Spenrath read the resolution citing Smith's service to the community.

Councilman Anthony Collins thanked Smith for his assistance as well.

Smith served on City Council from May 1999 to May 2000 and then again from May 2002 until last month. He was mayor pro tem from May 2005 through November 2007.

During the time Smith served on Council, the city's Aquatic Center was built, more than $5 million in water systems and drainage improvements were done, South Street was extended to create new West Loop thoroughfare and bonds issued from municipal building improvements.

"I'd like to thank the citizens of El Campo for giving me this opportunity," Smith said as he accepted the resolution.