What candidates need to do

An editorial in the Smithfield Herald recently complained about one of our town board candidates, David Holt, and his lack of a platform. “I’m just offering my services,” the former mayor said when he filed. The voters and his supporters deserve more, The Herald complained.
I was bothered by the comment when I first heard it. Among all of the challengers, David has already paid his dues. He served as mayor with distinction. He worked hard as mayor. More than any one of the challengers, he can “run on his record.”
There is a side of me, the reporter side, who believes there is a story here we are not hearing. David’s last minute filing and his apparent change of heart suggests something happened. Often last minute filings are strategy moves: after seeing who else is in the field and assessing your chances of winning, you decide to jump in. After denying any interest in serving again, for several years, suddenly you jump in. Smells like a story there.
I’m not really shocked by David’s stance. He played things close to the vest while he was mayor. He wouldn’t speak up and volunteer a lot until it served to push things one way or another. To be sure, Mr. Holt is intelligent, and he usually did his homework on issues. When he spoke to something, he had something to say and the knowledge and logic behind it gave his opinions weight.
The Truman Administration was a bit before my time, but I still remember references to “Give ‘em hell, Harry.” There is a side to many who believe the way to get elected is by cutting up the other guy, and those politics are not foreign to North Carolina or Princeton. Certainly that kind of politics sells papers and makes for a controversial election.
I don’t believe it makes for better elections. While occasionally there may be someone who violates the public trust and deserves to be brought down, most people who offer themselves for office do it for the right reasons.
As The Herald implies however, just offering yourself for office may not be enough to get elected.

I was very disappointed last week when the town board met and only one of the four challengers for the town board, Gregory Collins, bothered to show up.
It is not uncommon for town board candidates to be elected without having ever been to a town board meeting. It’s akin to a football player starting a game without ever going to practice. It just doesn’t sound right.
In truth and fairness, there have been several over the years who went on the board who served with distinction without ever going to a meeting.
There are others who may not have had the complete appreciation for what they were getting into. After serving for awhile, they discover this is more than they bargained for.
If you are truly interested in serving the citizens, can’t you make the sacrifices in your schedule to get up to speed on what is happening in the town now?

There have been some elections where I have been surprised. People who I thought were relatively unknown did well. I’m beginning to appreciate more those who may not have been in public life, but have lived here all their lives and have quietly made their name.
Still, the best way to get elected is to get out in the town and sincerely listen to people. The reality is that not too many candidates really do that. There may be a circle of friends that they get affirmation from, but to impress the average voter, they need to get out.

Let me reiterate, the News Leader will work very hard to get you the information to make the right decisions on the candidates. You may not agree with who we like, but at least you won’t say I don’t know anything about the candidates.