I believe that anyone who runs for office must have a true understanding of what “Leadership” means. Leadership is not something that is magically given you when you are sworn into office. It is not something that you can just flip a switch and you have it. Leadership is much much more.
Leadership is accepting and performing the obligations of your office. It is being willing to take the “High Road” not just the “Easy Road”. As George Van Valkenburg stated, “Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching”.
I hope that I have always acted as a leader. I know I have tried. I believe that a leader must lead by example, whether they intend to or not. I know that I have always lived by the motto “I will never ask anyone to do anything I am not doing myself”. That is why it has always been important to me to come down off of the pedestal that some people place elected leaders and work hands on for what I believe.
I believe that leaders do not force people to follow them; they invite those people on a journey. A true leader does not want to create followers; a true leader wants to create more leaders. I hope my efforts of empowering citizens to take a more active role in our community stands testament to that belief.
I believe that leaders understand that they will at times stumble, but also know they must always be willing to get back up and continue every journey. I willingly admit that I have made mistakes over my term as Mayor. I know that I will most likely make a few more mistakes before I step aside for the next leaders. But I also know that if I only focus on the past: If I only look to what mistakes were made and not to how to do better; nothing will improve.
I hope that I have earned your respect as a leader. I hope I have earned your vote as I run for reelection. If I have not, I hope you will sit down with me and talk with me. My only goal is to provide the citizens of Pacific and through them citizens of our nation with good governance and good leadership.
