There comes a time in everyone’s life when they face a cross-roads, and I have had many cross-road moments in my life. I am willing to admit that I have made many mistakes in the past and allowed my passions to get the better of me.
I have participated in the political divisiveness in Laurinburg and Scotland County and I will admit I have many regrets. One of my many questionable decisions at the time was to align myself with the current mayor of Laurinburg, Matthew Block.
While at the time I was enamored by the thought of getting involved in the political process, I exercised poor judgement — especially in participating with Mr. Block in personal attacks against current and former city council members and other citizens in the fight against building the new city hall. While I still believe the process of obtaining citizen support and buy-in for the new city hall was deeply amiss, I regret participating in the personal attacks to an end. For that I am deeply sorry, and I publicly apologize to all that were affected by my actions.
With that said, I am really dismayed at the continued use of The Laurinburg Exchange and social media by Mayor Block in his denigration of perceived political enemies and those he disagrees with. It is high time that we who live in this community demand better of our elected officials. Block will call me a hypocrite for this letter and has already done so in The Laurinburg Exchange online. However, this is one of the cross-roads I was speaking of.
Our country is deeply divided right now and it’s time to put aside the childish behavior and work together, despite our differences, to make this a better place to live for all of us. Those that cannot put aside the bitterness and divisiveness need to relinquish their positions for those that are willing to step up and do the right thing.
Because of all that I have stated in this letter and as a resident of Laurinburg, I am demanding the immediate resignation of Matthew Block as mayor. It is obvious to me and I am sure to others that Mr. Block does not have the temperament to continue to lead the city of Laurinburg in this capacity.
I call on citizens and leadership who want to build bridges instead of division in the community to add your voice to mine in the call for Matthew Blocks’ resignation.
David A. Norris
Laurinburg