Candidate Profile: Palmetto Commission Ward 1: Charles B. Smith

Candidate: Charles B. Smith (Incumbent)

Party Affiliation: Non-partisan

Age: 49

Hometown: Batavia, N.Y.

Residence: Palmetto

Occupation: Marketing consultant

Education: Palmetto High School; B.A. in Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida

Challenged by Carolyn L. Higdon, Charles Smith hopes to continue serving Ward 1 of Palmetto’s Commission, which he was appointed to following the recent retirement of Mary Lancaster (Higdon was the other applicant for the appointment).

Smith is a marketing consultant and has managed Manatee Harvesting Co., Inc., the business his family has been operating for more than 40 years. In addition to his criminal justice degree, he has obtained security, investigation and bail bonds certifications and previously worked in the bail bond industry as well. 

Being an ordained deacon for the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Smith also serves the Manatee Sarasota Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) as chairman and president. He has furthered his work with SCLC by participating on the organization’s state and national boards.