Candidate: Charles B. Smith

1701 4th Ave W Palmetto FL 34221 (941) 720-3013 sclccharles@aol.com Charles B. Smith was born in Batavia, New York, and was raised in the Lincoln area of Palmetto. He graduated from Palmetto High School and the University of Central Florida with a degree in criminal justice. Charles is a marketing consultant, his family business, Manatee Harvesting Co, Inc. has been in business for over 40 years. Charles is a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as an ordained deacon. He also serves as the Chairman/President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). He also serves on the State and National Board of Directors. He is Vice-President of Manatee Branch of the (NAACP). Charles is also National Vice-Chairman of Operation People for Peace, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization which has a partnership with basketball legend Magic Earvin Johnson Enterprise/Foundation. This Foundation has made a $50,000 donation to Operation People for Peace. Charles serves as the State President of the Florida Black Caucus of local elected officials. Comprised of all Black mayors, councilmen, county commissioners in the state of Florida. He was the first Black elected Palmetto City Council member in 1990. He has worked in the community for over 27 years, presently serving as Palmetto City Commissioner, Ward 1.He was elected four terms to the Palmetto City Commission, serving three terms as the Vice Mayor of Palmetto. Commissioner Smith was awarded and presented the Senator Edgar J. Price, Jr. Humanitarian Award. Charles has also served with the following organizations: Manasota League of cities-3years; Past appointed and confirmed to the Human Health Service Board, District 6 by the Florida Senate; Former Executive Director of the Palmetto Youth Center; Former Minority Recruiter-Big Brothers of Manatee County; Past Key Note Speaker-United Way of Manatee County Campaign Kickoff and Former Chairman & President of 13th Ave. Dream Center. Since his current election to the Palmetto City Commission: Established first Housing Authority in the history of Palmetto to help remove slum and blight in Palmetto Housing; Created a partnership with Manatee Habitat for Humanity and the (CRA) Community Redevelopment Agency, which Charles was instrumental in establishing in the City of Palmetto a number of years ago. This partnership has assisted in the rehabilitation of the homes of elderly, poor and moderate-income families and established a multi-cultural event in Palmetto with an annual allocation of $25,000 aimed at preventing crime and assisting law enforcement. Established a $1.3 million dollar project for the Dr. MLK Park Fought for diversity in law enforcement, bringing about the first black female officer hired in Palmetto. Opposed assessing water, sewer and garbage charges for residents while they were absent from the City of Palmetto.