Sam Shipley has announced his candidacy for re-election to the Elizabethton City Council. He is a lifelong resident of Elizabethton and is the son of the late Joe and Bernice Shipley. He and his wife, Vickie, live at 609 Barker St.
Shipley graduated from Elizabethton High School and East Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He is also a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Vietnam and Germany.
Shipley retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 33 years of service. Most of his postal career was at the Elizabethton Post Office. He is an active member of Elizabethton’s First United Methodist Church, serving on various boards and committees, including the Administrative Council, the Staff/Parish Relations Committee and the Property Committee. He also participates in the music ministry as a percussionist.
Shipley serves on numerous city and civic boards and committees. He is Chairman of the Carter County Emergency & Rescue Squad Board; Sycamore Shoals Hospital Community Board and the Sycamore Shoals Hospital Government Affairs Council. He is also a member of the Elizabethton Beverage Board, Elizabethton/Carter County Veteran’s War Memorial Committee, Elizabethton Senior Citizens Advisory Board, Carter County Animal Control Board, Animal Shelter Advisory Board, Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter Building Committee and the Elizabethton Housing Committee. He has previously served on the Regional Planning Commission and the Elizabethton Board of Zoning and Appeals.
He is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.
Among Shipley’s goals is to further address the city’s fragile infrastructure. He cares about the growth and prosperity of the city, the school system and the employment base. He also said he is proud of the collective accomplishments and the progress of the City Council, and if re-elected Shipley says that he will strive to continue to be a voice for the citizens of Elizabethton.