Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com
psparn@ClarksvilleNow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Local business and community leader Jim Durrett announced his intentions to run for Montgomery County mayor Thursday afternoon in front of a large reception at Freedom Point in Liberty Park.
“It is a time for new beginnings, a time of hope and optimism. It is time to put the past behind us and welcome a better tomorrow,” said Durrett. “That is what we are going to bring to Montgomery County and that is what we are going to bring to office of county mayor.”
Durrett expressed dissatisfaction with the current status-quo and a sense of optimism in the future for the county mayor’s office in his announcement.
“We are not going to do it the tired ways of the past,” said Durrett. “We need a leader who has a proven track record of getting things done; someone who has the experience, energy and plan to get Montgomery County on the road to a brighter future – a future that provides each of us with the quality of life and opportunities or families deserve.”
Durrett most recently served as Vice President of Business Development for First Advantage Bank in Clarksville and he previously served as the Chief of Staff and the Director of Streets for the city of Clarksville.
Durrett was born and raised in Montgomery County and said his passion to serve his community rose from his parents at a young age; as his father was a Clarksville city council member for 26 years and his mother was deeply involved in the community as well.
Durrettt began serving the Clarksville community when he was 16-years-old, shoveling asphalt for the Clarksville Street Department and worked his way up to become the Director of Streets for the city. He then led the street department for 20 years under 4 different mayors, before he was named the Chief of Staff for the City of Clarksville under Mayor Johnny Piper.
Durrett emphasized that he wanted to improve the quality of life for all of the residents in Montgomery County and pointed out that this included good jobs, abundant opportunities, a top-notch education system, safe communities and a strong transportation infrastructure.
“We need a county mayor that is fiscally responsible and who is a good steward of the limited resources entrusted to us by the people of Montgomery County,” said Durrett. “We haven’t always had that.”
Photos by Philip Sparn | ClarksvilleNow.com