Andy Smith Announces Candidacy for Columbia City Council

COLUMBIA, SC – Andy Smith, executive director of Columbia’s Nickelodeon Theatre, announced his candidacy for City of Columbia’s Councilmember at-large seat in the November 3, 2015 general election at a news conference at Hollywood Park in the Hollywood-Rose Hill neighborhood in downtown Columbia on Wednesday, August 19, at 10 a.m.

Surrounded by supporters, Smith announced plans for his “Andy for Columbia” campaign, including the following ideas:

• Smith has a goal of making Columbia a safe, smart and inclusive city by focusing on livability and quality of life.
• He plans to work with other city council members to support start-up businesses and a burgeoning entrepreneur culture, which will help the city better retain and attract the region’s top talent.
• Smith believes that Columbia can’t be a world-class city without caring for essential natural resources, including keeping our creeks and rivers clean.
• He will prioritize bringing the city’s water and sewer infrastructure up to date.
• Smith will staunchly defend Columbia’s firefighters and police officers to make sure they are properly compensated for the sacrifices they make to keep our city safe.
• As an at-large councilman, Smith will serve as a representative for all city residents, regardless of where those residents live, what they look like, whom they love or how much money they have.
• Smith believes that as a councilman, he will have a responsibility to serve Columbia’s communities and give weight to opinions and experiences different than his own. He believes that the more open and inclusive council is, the more the City of Columbia can innovate, grow and prosper.

Smith, who grew up in Columbia and currently resides in Earlewood, with his wife, Kimi Maeda, has served as the Nickelodeon Theatre’s executive director since 2011. Since that time, with the support of the theater’s members, board of directors and the city, the Nickelodeon has become a creative center linked to growth on Main Street in downtown Columbia. With Smith’s leadership, the theater has tripled its operating budget in recent years and increased programming opportunities for diverse audiences.

“We now know that each year our customers spend over $1 million at the restaurants, bars and businesses around the Nick, helping to contribute to what has been a tremendous transformation [in downtown Columbia]. By thinking big and making smart investments we worked together to develop a thriving and vibrant neighborhood,” said Smith. “I’m now ready to take this focus and effort to a larger level. That’s why I’m excited to announce today my candidacy for the at-large seat on city council. By running for city council, I want to help shape our vision for what our city can become.”

For more information on Smith’s campaign or to donate, visit AndyForColumbia.com or follow Smith’s campaign on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.