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Announcement Speech C. Paul Smith for Alderman May 2, 2005 About Paul My name is Paul Smith, and I'm running for Alderman in Frederick City. This is my lovely wife, Terry. Now, I recognize that many people in Frederick don't know us. I will tell you a little bit about us. Terry and I have been married 31 years. We have a happy family of 12 children, and 8 grandchildren. We are proud of them. We have invested our lives and our fortune in raising our children, and we are proud of their accomplishments. Our five oldest children have graduated from college; two others are still attending. Our children have participated in various high school sports teams--3 of our children played varsity basketball, others have played football, baseball, diving, lacrosse, wrestling and cross country. I have personally spent many hours coaching and encouraging them in these endeavors--I have coached several Babe Ruth baseball teams and even more basketball teams (including church league teams and Ballenger Creek league teams). For many years Terry and I have devoted hours upon hours to our children, their school work and their activities. This includes the many years I have been actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America as a scoutmaster (5 different times during the last 30 years)--I am in the 5th year of my most recent stint. Seven of our sons have earned the rank of Eagle--that number may be up to nine by the end of the year. I have also been extremely active in my church, including serving 6 years as bishop of the Frederick Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Professionally, I have been active in the Montgomery County Bar Association for many years. In 1998, as chair of the Bar's Speaker's Bureau, I established its annual seminar program on the Constitution. I have written and spoken on many current constitutional issues. In 2002, I wrote and published the book, The State of the Constitution. Why Paul is Running for Alderman Now that we have fewer kids at home, Terry and I have felt that we should give more of our attention to serving the community--specifically Frederick City. Upon learning that Joe Baldi, Dave Lenhart and Bill Hall would not be running for re-election as Alderman this fall, we decided that I should run; if elected I hope to carry on the good work they have been doing. Professionally, I continue to practice law. My main office is located in Rockville, Maryland, but I have many cases and many clients in Frederick. Because I am my own boss, I have some flexibility in my schedule. In the past, I have used this flexibility in accommodating frequent scout campouts, baseball and basketball games and practices, and church service. If elected Alderman, I will devote this same amount of time, energy, enthusiasm and service into the work of an Alderman. Paul’s Qualifications The qualifications I bring to this position include my experience in the general practice of law since 1978. I have had broad and extensive experience as a litigator in our courts, as a legal advisor and as a private business owner. This experience and these skills will enable me to be an effective Alderman. Because of my profession, I regularly deal with serious problems, many of which are accompanied by conflict and contention. And while I have had more experience in dealing with contention than any one could ever desire--I believe I have the ability to handle emotional and contentious issues with the necessary triple combination of toughness, efficiency and courtesy. I believe that I can help the Board of Alderman to function productively. Paul’s Platform I am very sensitive to the issues and needs that face small businesses. I intend to do all I can to promote and encourage the success of small businesses. I think this is an indispensable ingredient of economic success for the City. I am very much aware of the valuable contribution of churches and youth activity organizations in Frederick City. The success of these different organizations is responsible for the wonderful quality of life that Frederick City affords its residents. To the extent that private organizations are successful, the City government's burden is lessened. But there will always be some needs that the City can and must provide. The principal issues I see that will be facing Frederick City in the future are (1) establishing an appropriate plan of growth for the city; (2) working to reduce the traffic congestion that has gotten increasingly worse during the past few years; (3) continue the support for social, athletic and academic activities for our youth; and (4) live within our budget, and to stop the excessive increases in our taxes. Two specific provisions that I believe will help accomplish these objectives are (a) to build and develop Monocacy Boulevard between the river and Patrick Street; and (b) to urge and convince the state to build roads that can divert some of the rush-hour traffic away from downtown Frederick and away from the I-70, I-270 and U.S. 15 intersection area. Until such roads are built, the traffic congestion that nearly grinds the entire city to a halt for two hours or more every week day--will not only continue, but it will get worse. Frederick City will have to work with County, State and Federal governments to ease up this congestion; but we should take the lead in identifying and encouraging the reasonable solution to this problem. More About Paul My family has lived in Frederick County for 18 years. We first moved to Frederick County in 1978, shortly after I passed the Maryland Bar and opened a law office in Rockville, Maryland. We moved away in 1984, Then in 1992, we bought this home in Frederick City. We love Frederick; we love the surrounding hills and farmland and streams; we love the historic character of the city; we love Baker Park that weaves its way through the city; we love the many amenities and activities that Frederick City offers us; and we love the people. For many years my wife and I have devoted a lot of our spare time to activities and programs that directly involve our children. Seven of whom have graduated from Frederick High School. My seventh son, Paul Jr., just graduated from Frederick High, and after him we have two more sons still at Frederick High (John and Michael). Our youngest child, Christine (age 9) attends Parkway Elementary School. (I would like to point out that Christine is our landscape architect this year; I invite you to look at the petunias she and Terry planted in our front yard. Christine picked out each and every flower.) Campaign Administrivia The Treasurer of my campaign is my long-time friend and confidant, Earl J. Wahlquist. He is a wise and kind man of unquestioned integrity. I appreciate the services that he has given and that he will be giving. At this point I am not an expert in financing election campaigns, and I know that I will need help. Those who are willing to make financial contributions may do so by giving me or Earl checks payable to "C. Paul Smith for Alderman." You should know that City campaign laws require that we report the name, address and amount of every contribution made to the campaign, and that any anonymous campaign contributions must be turned over to the City. Let me also say that there are several "Paul Smiths" in Frederick City. It is my intent to conduct myself and my campaign in a way that will only reflect for good on that name. However, because my name is somewhat common, I think it best to use the initial "C" before my name in many of my communications. Terry and I have devoted our lives to raising a happy, successful family. Frederick City is a wonderful place to raise a family. We are committed to maintaining its beauty, to preserving the quality of life it affords, and to strengthening it economic foundation without increasing the tax burden on its residents. If you share these goals with me, please vote for me for Alderman in the primary and general election. C. Paul Smith for Frederick City Alderman cpaulsmith@verizon.net |
© 2006 C. Paul Smith
Contact the Web Master, Jimmy Smith, at jrs76@hotmail.com
or visit his website at www.jimmyandheather.com
Contact the Web Master, Jimmy Smith, at jrs76@hotmail.com
or visit his website at www.jimmyandheather.com