Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Never in the history of our nation or our local communities has a vote had the potential to impact the future for our families, and 2024 has become a rallying point for change in each arena. Smithfield politics has reached a boiling point, and it is important that each resident in our community weighs the impact of our votes. 

Gone are those days of hoping someone else will take the plunge and vote; it is now time for each resident to decide what the future holds for our families and decide what it will look like in 2025 and beyond as decisions that are made at the voting booth next week will determine our future. Your voice could change the face of Smithfield forever. 

Change is inevitable, but it should be sensible and transparent. In my 12 years in Smithfield, I have seen very little of it on the town or county side. Our elected officials need a wakeup call that we are no longer sitting back, but we are scrutinizing everything and choosing wisely.

At issue in Smithfield is the unrestrained growth with unlimited approvals to rezoning, mixed used zoning, special permit use and forgiveness after the fact. The rush to make Smithfield a mirror image of Suffolk and their drive to be a 15-minute city alone should raise eyebrows, but the speed and manipulation of processes should be enough to put an immediate stop to the growth that has not only put a burden on the infrastructure but lowers the standard of living by creating tax and traffic burdens that are already evident without breaking ground. The fact that the Town Council ignores the safety concerns of the residents over dollar signs is just another red flag indicator.

I was a huge supporter of Steve Bowman when he ran in the past, but he does not represent the future of Smithfield, and anyone he supports needs to go. Renee Rountree, the bastion of poor decisions, should not be used as a barometer of town ethics and future decisions on the direction of the town.

It speaks volumes to drive through town and see sign after sign on lawns for Bebermeyer, Smith, Cutler and Harris. Even before the official election, people are speaking loud and clear. Vote for transparency and vote for sensible leadership and change. The citizens of Smithfield deserve to be heard, rather than ignored.

 

Leigh Ann Erdman

Smithfield