Today’s election means different things to different people. To me, it is a reminder that half of my 4-year term as your Mayor has passed. As the light voter turnout for these municipal elections would seem to indicate, there does not seem to be much general interest in what goes on at City Hall. But let me humor myself and think that the citizens actually do care what goes on, so please read on as I use this occasion to reflect a bit on my first two years in office, before making the turn on the backstretch of my mayoral term.
I ran on a platform of doing something about being the highest taxed and highest unemployed area in the state of North Carolina. I ran on the idea that in order for Laurinburg to turn around we needed to change our model of economic development from looking outside for help and jobs to turning our focus on making Laurinburg an attractive place to live, educate, shop and retire. I ran pushing the idea (not my own) that small southern rural communities needed a new model for growth, or they would wither and die.
Well, so what have I accomplished? Unfortunately, there is not room enough in this column to list everything, so I’ll just name a few (that’s my sense of humor at work).
Regarding the highest taxes in the state, some people felt I was misleading the public by mentioning the county tax rate as an election issue when I ran, because the Mayor of Laurinburg, they said, has nothing to do with the Scotland County tax rate and therefore I was just trying to use the general public’s anger about the tax rate to get elected. But, I hope I have been true to my word in trying to do something about this issue, which I still feel is an important one for the growth of the City of Laurinburg. I have, using the bully’s pulpit afforded me by the office of Mayor, tried to engage the public and other elected officials on this issue in the hopes that with further understanding of why the taxes are the highest in the state (the school floor) and why the arguments for maintaining the current system are faulty and damaging to the county (and therefore the city), that momentum would gather and public pressure would force change. And I think I have helped to move the ball forward a bit, but we still have a ways to go before the end zone.
Regarding my campaign promise to work towards seeing what the City’s role is in changing the paradigm of economic development by focusing on quality of life issues, I think that although the fruits have not ripened yet, the seeds have been planted. I have formed the Retail Recruitment Committee, the Beautification Committee and the Laurinburg Recreation Center Committee to begin to work towards meaningful progress in these areas. Some minor achievements have resulted from these Committees already, but I hope, in the next two years the citizens will begin to see some exciting things done.
Most significantly, during my first two years I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to play an important role in deciding on our next city manager. Now that we have the right man in place, I believe the citizens will begin to see just what a city is capable of doing for its citizens.
At the end of 4 years, the citizens who elected me will naturally want results. The fact that much of my 2008 was spent dealing with unforeseen personal setbacks, or the fact that many of Laurinburg’s problems are part of a national economic crisis might be explanations I could use to for why perhaps more hasn’t been done. But I know, that when my four years are up, the citizens will want tangible accomplishments, not committees and not excuses. I look forward with great excitement to making progress in these areas and remain immensely grateful for the opportunity you have given me to help move our city forward.
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I would like to respond to Mayor Block's sad but true statement but I will first introduce myself...
Laurinburg, N. C. is my birthplace. I attended Scotland County schools for the bulk of my fundamental education, enjoyed the outlet of Parks and Recreation sports, and volunteered with the local Habitat for Humanity throughout high school. I am a graduate of North Carolina State University and began my professional career outside of the state three years ago; I relocated to North Carolina a year ago with local family in mind and continuing my education and in the transition of young adulthood I’ve learned to appreciate exposure to various environments that have broadened my social awareness, specifically, government and politics as it relates to the November 3 election.
I’ve had the opportunity to discuss living within the area with friends, associates, former teachers, and professionals on different occasions. People do have an interest in what goes on at City Hall but does City hall have an interest in the citizens of Laurinburg outside of a vote for a seat? I was riding the Laurinburg transit bus prior to the election and on route there were signs everywhere, some I believe strategically placed in communities that would “guarantee” the votes of certain people(different issue) and surprisingly older ladies in conversation said, “Who are these people, how are we to vote for’em if we don’t know who they are?” Interesting because I was thinking the exact thing, all I knew of any candidate was a name and recollection of various outbursts from board meetings printed in the newspaper. I don’t recall seeing or hearing of the candidates going door to door, INTRODUCING themselves, addressing or questioning the concerns of the community(everyone doesn’t attend your church or live next door) or making themselves more available to the public. I question the professionalism of some of the elected officials and their true ability to make change. How many businessmen are in the area employing the unemployed? I’ve applied on numerous occasions to county positions only to receive an unedited, unprofessional letter of consideration or to be told, “Well, you know, you might have a difficult time with that one. I’m aware that the secretary or staff may not pull the resumes because we normally hire from within to stay within the budget.” Tacky but this is what’s being represented throughout the city of Laurinburg.
I was among the 2, 410 voters yesterday out the 15,000 plus total population of Laurinburg. Something’s not right, and it’s not entirely the lack of general interest of what goes on at City Hall. City Hall, if your board members are just members, without significant ability to represent or willing to put the words they speak into action, the tax-payer’s dollars are being squandered. Take all into consideration.
Thank you Mayor Block for your initiative and work in progress!