Rick Gray and Charlie Smithgall have each served two terms as mayor of Lancaster. They are the same age. Both are intelligent and experienced. Both devoted to Lancaster.
Gray is an intellectual, very articulate, and talks a lot of theory on governing. Smithgall is a man of few words but much accomplishments: Clipper Stadium, Binn’s Park, the bus terminal, the new police station, added acreage for parks, and fiscal solvency.
Gray brags that “140 new businesses opened in the City of Lancaster over past eight years.” He doesn’t say how many closed.
Eight years ago, Gray promised that if elected he would call together the contending factions and review whether the convention center project should be built. He didn’t.
Seven years ago, Gray announced with much fanfare that a $20 million funding gap had been bridged so that the convention center project could be built after all. He cited sources from where the funds were to come. They were not true.
Gray says a good leader “surrounds himself with advisors who know what they are doing and willing to challenge and disagree with the mayor.” How simplistic.
In fact, a good leader chooses good people but monitors what they are doing and provides guidance. A good leader seeks out diverse opinions from the public and especially those volunteering expertise, not just from his subordinates. A good leader makes the decisions, not the staff. The sign on President Harry Truman’s desk read “The buck stops here.”
Sadly, Gray has long been a hostage to Chief of Staff Pat Brogan and City Planner Randy Patterson. They tell him; he doesn’t tell them. Arrogance pervades his administration.
A good leader doesn’t take cheap shots at his opponent, as Gray shockingly did at last week’s debate and then, rather than apologizing for his veiled accusation, fled the auditorium. It was sad to witness.
Being mayor of Lancaster is virtually a non-partisan position. In any case, the mayor must work closely with the all Democrat City council.
Gray said at last week’s debate: “Going to Harrisburg and Washington right now is like talking to the door.” It shows that Gray has never known how to move along a project, such as redevelopment of the Lancaster Square East that has sat and rotted during his eight years in office. Where Gray only sees obstacles; Smithgall sees opportunities.
Yes, Smithgall is a Republican. But so are the people in Harrisburg. Charlie Smithgall more than succeeded in collecting financial aid through that “door” in the past, even when Democrat Ed Rendell was governor. He deserves the chance to do it again.
So you support Charlie Smithgall, not becuase of his past performance, but because you disagree with Rick Gray’s performance.
How simplistic.
EDITOR: It is pretty “simplistic” for you not to have read what we said about Smithgall’s achievements as mayor.