July 15, 2011
Dear Southern Pines,
I am running for Mayor and ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
I'm running because I believe it's time for a different type of leadership: more open, transparent, inclusive, and participative- one which empowers Southern Pines residents to be the true governing body of the town.
I believe I not only represent that type of leadership, but have continuously
advocated for it.
The citizens are the heart of Southern Pines. Council members are stewards
entrusted by the people to conduct the Town's business in a way that will
best serve them and protect their right to influence the Town's policy direction
and have an effective voice in the decisions the Town considers.
Throughout the development of our Comprehensive Long Range Plan, the citizens
of Southern Pines were clear they have no desire for a paternalistic town
government, which merely pays lip service to minimum legal requirements for
citizen participation and then makes decisions as if in a vacuum.
I not only recognize that the residents are the true governing body of the
town, I agree and advocate for it
.
In politics, there are those who represent some of the people all of the time...
Others represent all of the people some of the time...
Very few represent ALL of the people ALL of the time…
Chris Smithson- A Mayor for ALL the people
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