Hoschton names new city clerk
BY KERRI TESTEMENT
Hoschton has a new city clerk — the first in almost three decades.
Monday, the council named Kristen A. Smith, 37, as the city’s new clerk. She will take the oath of office today (Wednesday).
Smith is a former employee at the Hamilton State Bank branch on Ga. Hwy. 53 in the city limits. She graduated from North Georgia College and State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and has worked in the financial industry for 17 years, mostly in business banking.
Smith was among 28 people who submitted an application for the city clerk’s position. A city search committee interviewed eight people for the job and named two finalists.
Hoschton’s former city clerk, Cindy Edge, resigned on Feb. 18, after working with the city for 29 years. The council accepted her resignation on Feb. 20.
Mayor Bill Copenhaver said Edge continued to work for several weeks after her resignation to help two other clerks with additional duties at city hall. Edge may help Smith transition to her new job, he added.
While Hoschton looked for a new city clerk, assistant city clerk Karen Butler and administrative assistant Teresa Heath were given 25 percent wage increases. Butler served as interim city clerk during the search process.
Smith, who will earn $55,000 a year, will also maintain her position as president of the Hoschton Business Alliance, a non-profit organization of the city’s businesses.
Smith said her experience with the business alliance, and working with the mayor and council encouraged her to seek the city clerk’s position.
“I am truly going to be looking for the mayor and council for guidance,” Smith said.
Smith lives in the Hoschton area with her husband, Steve, and step-daughter, Caroline. She has lived in Georgia and the Hall County area since 1977, according to a city press release.
