The surname of Smith is one of the few things the two candidates running for the District 3 Gaffney City Council seat seem to share.

Incumbent Bernard Smith is a 62-year-old grandfather and a seasoned political figure looking for his sixth term on council. His challenger, unmarried 34- year-old Cornelius Smith, thinks it’s time for people of his generation to bring new ideas to the table.

“I can do my best and bring fresh ideas,” said Cornelius Smith, a real estate salesman.

In particular, he wants to actively seek solutions to help the city’s elderly. He said he will find those solutions by engaging the elderly in one-on-one conversations.

“I will sit down and listen and see what their needs are,” he said.

He also supports the renovation of the former Brown Furniture store into the proposed performing arts center.

Bernard Smith, on the other hand, believes his ideas — such as the growth of the city’s parks system — have worked just fine and resulted in an improved quality of life for city residents.

However, he’s still not satisfied. If re-elected, he will support the construction of a shelter for the farmer’s market modeled after the former train depot. He also endorses the proposed performing arts center as well as an overall revitalization of the downtown area.

The candidates did share the same ballot in 2006 when Bernard Smith narrowly edged Cornelius Smith, 121-119.

Cornelius Smith said that close result is a confidence builder heading into Tuesday’s municipal election.

“It made we want to work even harder,” Cornelius Smith said.

It had the same effect on Bernard Smith, who admitted he might have taken the 2006 election for granted.

“The last time people told me they didn’t vote because they thought I would win. But this time I’m getting out knocking on doors and taking nothing for granted.”

Cornelius Smith is a graduate of Gaffney High and Limestone College. Bernard Smith is a graduate of Granard High and has associate degrees from Cleveland County Technical College and Rutledge College.