Editor, The Smithfield Times:

The populace of Smithfield wanted a change in 2022. With voters desiring a breath of fresh air, a virtual unknown and less-than-two-year resident, Jeff Brooks, was elected to the Town Council, while the longtime mayor was voted out. 

Also elected was longtime and well-known resident Steve Bowman. Many in the Historic District supported and voted for him. Now, he won’t support them. Quite the contrary. 

In 2022, Mr. Bowman garnered 2,658 votes. Second place was 1,781. Between second and fifth place was only 73 votes. Mr. Bowman won all large precincts by large margins. The point is that Mr. Bowman’s votes came from ALL OVER town, indicating somewhat of a mandate. 

New guy (Brooks) gets elected; longtime mayor is out. Breath of fresh air … am I the only one seeing this? Obviously not. 

Mr. Collins and Mr. Gibbs are certainly credentialed, but so are Bill Harris, Darren Cutler, Mary Ellen Bebermeyer and Mike Smith. The notion that where these folks live means that they could not or would not represent the entire town is nonsense. Anyone who reads the letters to the editor and other local media is aware that conservatively at least 75% of what is stated by citizens aligns with the four candidates’ views. 

I know of no one who has said no to all development despite strong innuendo to the contrary. But we should say no to handing out special use permits like Halloween candy. One thing these four WILL NOT represent is the “good ole’ boy club” where long-term friendships reign supreme in a somewhat non-blood related form of nepotism.

Let’s change that with the election of Bill Harris, Darren Cutler and Mary Ellen Bebermeyer, and the reelection of Mike Smith.

 

Bob Hines

Smithfield