The city’s elected officials
Councilman Rob Herrell
ROB HERRELL
Herrell is a native of Clinton and a graduate of Clinton High School. He received a degree from the University of Tennessee in business logistics.
For 23 years, he has been in pharmaceutical sales. Herrell’s first job was in Lake Charles, Louisiana, but he eventually moved back to Clinton because he felt like it was a good place to raise a family. Two of his three sons are carrying on the family tradition by attending UT. Herrell is a member of Second Baptist Church.
“How do we maintain a smalltown culture in Clinton and still grow?” is one of the big challenges Herrell sees facing the city council.
When Herrell, who is in 12th year as a councilman, took office the city was not in as good a shape financially as it is now. He says the city now has a healthy fund balance.
He is proud of the fact that in a few years the city will be debt free and that the city currently has a good bond rating. After the city becomes debt free he would like to give the tax payers some relief. He feels the city should be able to make necessary purchases without going into debt.
Herrell has three priorities as a councilman.
He wants to be good to the tax payers, because they are his bosses.
He wants to treat city employees fairly and is a supporter of the Clinton system which he says is outstanding, noting that school resource officers were added early in tenure.
Getting the swimming pool in Jaycees Park redone is also one of his priorities.
“We have diversity of thought, and there is no petty politics,” Herrell said of his fellow council members. “I like it when we solve problems.”
He feels that the city manager and the department heads are doing a good job.
Among positive city council accomplishments Herrell mentioned the demolition of Magnet Mills. He would like to see that property put to good use.
He also mentioned a grant for downtown improvements, improvements in the fire and recreation departments, pay raises for city employees, construction of a splash pad downtown and construction of a dog park.
“I think we work well with the county,” Herrell said. He mentioned joint paving projects, most recently in the industrial park.
“It’s been a pleasure to serve,” Harrell said. He would like to serve at least one more term in order to see the city become debt free.