The holiday season is upon us. For the City of Laurinburg this means getting ready for Christmas on Main Street, the Christmas Tree lighting, hanging the Christmas decorations on Main Street and, of course, the Christmas parade. There will be holiday parties and gift-giving and some days off from work. It is a season for family and friends and being thankful for what we have and reaching out to those less fortunate.

It is also the season for the beginning of a new chapter in the annals of Laurinburg City Government. As Mayor, I am pleased to welcome a new member to City Council. I am pleased not because of the loss of Mr DeBerry who, as anyone who knows him would agree, is one of the finest and fairest citizens this City has, but, rather, I am pleased because the election of Kenton Spencer to the at-large city council seat is an opportunity for change. It is an opportunity for new ideas and new energy. Though only 20% of the council has changed, the dynamics of the council will not be the same. By this I am not referring to the racial make-up of the Council, though of course many people will see that fact as important. Sitting next to Mr DeBerry for the past two years I can attest to the fact that he did not govern from a racial perspective. So, from a racial standpoint, I do not see the new council as being different in any significant way. What is different, is that Council has a new voice that will lead to a fresh look at familiar problems.

What is also worth noting is that the defeat of an incumbent, especially one as universally liked as Mr Deberry, means the citizens are looking for a change in the way Council is doing its business of running the city. The question is, what change are the citizens looking for? It is my belief that the change the citizens are looking for is that they want a more aggressive and active city government. I believe, that in bad times, the citizens are looking to City government to not just make sure the police, fire, water, lights and garbage are being done right, but rather, the citizens want City government to play a more active role in being agents of change and growth. I believe the citizens are concerned about the direction the City is heading in and they realize that things are not going to turn around unless we do something. If the City were flush with jobs, if each week did not seemingly bring news of another Main Street business closing, if more of the City's children were growing up to be successful in a nurturing environment, than I believe the citizens would not have wanted a change in leadership. But that is hardly where we are. And although our City's struggles are not the fault of Council, the citizens rarely will stay on board with the same leadership when they perceive the ship to be sinking. I believe the citizens are desperate for action. I believe this because I see it and hear it everyday. In tough times, the citizens want their leaders to be bold, to be creative, and to do whatever is necessary to restore jobs and growth. I believe the citizens understand that turning things around may require spending money and taking risks and doing things differently than they have always been done. And I believe, in fact I know, we can turn things around if we do these things. I believe that the citizens were voting for this when they cast their ballot for Mr Spencer. It was not a vote against Mr Deberry, it was a call for change and action.

While many of us will enjoy the holiday season, for many it will be a hollow reminder of how their lives are not like the ones displayed in Hallmark commercials. I am hoping that our new Council will see that the people want their leaders to play a more aggressive role in improving life for its citizens. Otherwise, as this election has demonstrated, the citizens will find someone else to lead.