Elected officials retirements observed

TYLER — Smith County Commissioner’s Court recognized two elected officials who have served the county for more than a decade on Tuesday. Precinct 1 Commissioner Jeff Warr and 114th District Judge Christi Kennedy, have each served three terms for the county. Both, Warr and Kennedy, were each first elected in 2009. Both received words of praise from County staff and leaders. They will both be retiring as of December 31, 2020.

During his time as Commissioner, Warr was instrumental in getting the Downtown Jail Expansion and Road and Bridge Bonds passed by voters. He is heavily involved in many of the county’s initiatives, including the long-term Road Plan.

Before becoming judge, Judge Kennedy practiced civil law with the firms Potter Minton and Flowers Davis. She also was a briefing attorney for the 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler. Although she enjoyed it very much, Judge Kennedy said she does not plan to return to the private practice of law after her retirement. Instead, she would like to obtain a position with a private charitable foundation.