Are you informed and involved?

Are you mindful of the importance and value in creating a sense of community and place?

It is imperative to take a bold and visionary approach as to how we might continue to cultivate the local community for our sustainable future.

John McCain is quoted as saying, “Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.”

Community leaders and community organizations are charged with the task to work for the greater good. They are leaders who should always keep top of mind that doing work which is greater than oneself is purposeful and worthy.

For our community’s sustainable future these tasks include economic development, civic/social responsibility, and environmental responsibility. Each are integral parts in sustaining our future.

By cultivating goals for the common good, we can partner with stakeholders and build relationships which will create benefits for all.

Being involved and being informed are important in making wise choices for our future. Our leadership at all levels must carry out their work while keeping the common good in mind. They must make wise decisions for the future of our community and bear the burden of making tough and difficult choices.

Such decisions must allow space for civil discourse and deliberate conversation. Having choices for our leadership is an opportunity for each of us to step up and be leaders in the coming weeks.

We as individuals can be something greater than ourselves by becoming well informed voters. Casting a ballot based on decisions of who has the community’s best interest in mind is an opportunity to exercise our rights.
Stanly County Chamber of Commerce (SCCoC) will host a fall Candidates’ Forum on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Stanly Commons in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the first round of candidate questions will begin at 5:50 p.m. The full schedule for the evening is available on the SCCoC website: https://stanlychamber.org/2018/08/save-the-date-stanly-co-candidates-forum-tues-oct-23/ .

Your local Chamber has hosted Candidate Forums for decades. Such forums are provided as a benefit to the community at large in an effort to inform voters of their choices.

Get involved.

Make well informed decisions.

Be a part of the process to select leaders who will make choices and decisions for the greater good of our community and its future.

Kathy Almond is CEO and president of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at kalmond@stanlychamber.org or 704-982-8116.