Womack: Serving The City Has Been A Joy

Outgoing Cookeville City Council Member Charles Womack will participate in his last council meeting Thursday night.

Womack first began his service to the city in 1998. He said what’s kept him running for office since then are the people.

“It’s a joy to work with them, it’s a joy,” Womack said. “The city employees are of a high caliber and they’re good people. And it’s been fun and a pleasure to work with them over the year and to see things accomplished.”

Womack said one of the things he’s most proud of is the development of his hospital. He said when he first got on the city council they had about 1,00 employees and about 70 doctors. Now there are over 2,000 employees and almost 200 doctors. Womack said the hospital has become one of the biggest assets to the city.

Womack said the hardest part of his job was balancing his time as mayor and his career as a urological surgeon. He attributes his success to the help of his partners.

“I mean that was quite difficult,” Womack said. “My partners Steve Goryl and Lee Moore were really kind to me and covered for me and helped me do this I couldn’t have done it without them. They were so nice to be able to let me do the things I needed to do as more.”

Womack said that this term would mark his last serving the city. At 78, he said he doesn’t see himself running again in four years. As for his legacy, he thinks the growth and development of the city speaks for itself.