We need to remain committed to policies that fuel a vital community, even as the Town’s population grows. Design standards that connect neighborhoods and preserve open space promote growth that brings neighbors together, rather than isolating us. Town budgets that provide resources for public parks, arts, and programming give us reasons to come together. Community-based safety initiatives encourage and equip us to look out for one another. Well-managed growth lays a solid foundation on which to build community.
But the job of nurturing community doesn’t end there.
Our elected leaders must be just as adept at connecting people with diverse interests and viewpoints as our policies are at creating common space that draws us together. It’s the job of the Board to facilitate a dynamic community conversation that helps us articulate and pursue a shared civic vision. Where divisions emerge in that dialogue, our Board’s response must serve as a model for building consensus. When the dialogue inspires citizen to act in pursuit of the common good, our Board’s goal should be to remove obstacles to that action. Where questions arise in the conversation, our Board’s first instinct should be to widen the array of local talent, perspective, and experience at the table. When no clear answer emerges in the conversation, our Board’s responsibility is to step forward, weigh the options, commit to a direction, and give the community reason to follow.
Strong relationships are key. Servant leaders never stoke conflict; they double back and find a path to resolution.
(This post is excerpted from my responses to a series of candidate questions posed by Davidson’s online local news resource: News of Davidson. The full article appeared on that site on Friday, August 29, 2025 and can be reached here.)
