ETNA GREEN — Etna Green has a new town council member.

Kevin Smith was appointed by the Kosciusko County Republican Chairman in December to fill Andrew Cook’s vacancy. Cook, who was re-elected by default to another term, declined that re-election.

Smith, who is a first responder, decided to run for the council because he wants to be more directly involved in helping Etna Green become a more engaged community.

Smith has the goal of making Etna Green a more recognizable name. Smith believes that getting the community more involved would be a step in the right direction towards that goal. Along with bringing back old holiday celebrations and adding new traditions, Smith would like to see the parades the town used to have on Independence Day and have costume contests for Halloween. He also wants community decorating for Christmas with a movie night and food in the park for everyone to attend.

Smith is a firm believer that community involvement is a number one priority. “Etna Green is a small town but there’s no reason that we can’t be more than what we currently are,” he said. “We have good people, in a good community.”

Town council meetings are held 7 p.m. every second Tuesday of every month in the town hall.