Editor’s note: The author is Mt. Gilead Town Manager David Smith. 

Dear folks, It has been an eventful few weeks here in Mt. Gilead. So today I share:

I was challenged this morning to give a “frank” assessment of Mt. Gilead and the area’s concerns. I was challenged to speak up. So here goes! Today a citizen walked by me after I had spoken, turned his head so as to not look me in the eye, and said hello. I was and am troubled by this. Have we as a society lost the common decency of looking each other in the eye with respect? To extend our hand of gratitude and grace?

I was told this morning that a prominent employer in Mt. Gilead is looking to hire armed guards and put a fence up around their facility to combat the recent shootings in Mt. Gilead. I am sure that there are a number of businesses and citizens who feel the same. I am angered by the rash of lawlessness that has overtaken our community. I hear the cries for stronger law enforcement, more law enforcement, almost akin to a wild west movie. Sadly, we experienced the “gunfight at the OK Corral” July 8 in our Parkertown community. Two people embraced, then came out shooting. Eventually, one died and one has a hole in his butt. People saw, people know who did it, but people would rather complain than cooperate or make a difference. Three unsolved shootings in three months.

I met recently with a group looking for an opportunity to open a new business on Main Street Mt. Gilead. They like the “vibe” of Mt. Gilead and see potential. We need a new restaurant, a new convenience store with clean restrooms that is well-lit and safe, an upgraded grocery store, vacant buildings cleaned up and brought to life, and soon the atmosphere will change. It can happen!  

I met two gentlemen last week that had “heard about Mt. Gilead and the potentially cool antique shops.” They had decided to detour from their destination to “check us out.” What they found was that the “potentially cool antique shops” were closed.

I met with a citizens group last week to answer their questions and to share all that is going on in Mt. Gilead. It was a great meeting and discussion. They, too, are fearful and frustrated, yet they have pride in Mt. Gilead and see the potential and want more!

It is sometimes frustrating and thought provoking to hear about all of the negativity perpetuated by a few “concerned citizens” on Facebook. Mostly, it does not help nor does it inform the citizenry in a proactive way. It shows, in most cases, a general fear of the unknown and a complete disregard for the hope and potential that is Mt. Gilead and Montgomery County. Most negativity stems from an either/or mentality versus what I feel should be a both/and mentality. But keep on speaking! 

After eight months in this position as town manager, the one thing that I stress now more than ever is that we are not alone. We must endeavor to work more closely with the county commissioners and county manager, with the surrounding towns, with the school board, the Sheriff’s Department (what changes are on the horizon?), the courts and the district attorney, the community college and the EDC office. For too long all of these entities have worked in their respective “silos” and never really worked together, nor shared in nor presented a unified front to deal with the opportunities of all the municipalities and Montgomery County. The silos must be toppled and we all need to gather together around the multifarious issues that I am certain are found in Mt. Gilead and, I’m guessing, all of Montgomery County. Collectively, we can arise from our long slumber.

After eight months, I have a lot of questions for everyone. Just a few today.

To that particular business contemplating armed guards and fencing: Instead, might I suggest you join in becoming a contributing corporate citizen to help enhance and deal with the multiple issues that we all face together. If you haven’t been before, you are now being invited to the table. 

There is a vicious cycle; much of our violence stems from missed education opportunities. The community’s expectations and involvement are integral to a sustained education delivery and outcome. So, what is the collective expectation for education delivery and outcome? Are we the best? Can we be better? As one elected official from another town asked during our discussion, “Why do we continue to lose the best and brightest of our educators/administrators to other communities?” Good question. Are our corporate education expectations higher today than yesterday? I know that many of the problems in Mt. Gilead stem from an underperforming education delivery and acceptance system. Really, can we do better by our children?

Dear county commissioners and all municipalities: We need workers, we need affordable housing, we need a collective plan to deal with the new growth that is coming. If one community benefits, then we all benefit. We all need to be in agreement, with common goals, but to get there we must all gather together around the same table. I have much to share with you as I know you all have much to share with me. So I’m requesting a meeting, a summit if you will, so that we all may come together and begin a long overdue discussion on moving all of Montgomery County forward.

And now, please afford me a point of personal religious privilege directed to my church:

I am sure that this will ruffle some tail-feathers, but here goes. Another area of concern for me, a man of deep faith and of the cloth, is the seeming silence and closed-door mentality of the church within this community. For those who profess a faith in God, and those in particular professing a faith in Jesus Christ, I challenge you to throw away your safe and secure religion of “going to church” and start being the CHURCH! I am calling on all leaders of churches in the Mt. Gilead area and beyond to recognize that there is a difference between a “professing” belief and a faith of “possession.” I contend that you cannot give away what you don’t have. You can’t give away the love of Jesus if you don’t have Jesus. There are people who walk and drive by your buildings, seeking that which you claim: a savior of love and hope. Our community needs the church to be the church and this begins with prayer and unified action. Let us come together soon in prayer and petition. There is a “Balm in Gilead!”

Now is the time for Mt. Gilead and Montgomery County to decide. Do we move forward or do we move backward? Because we cannot stand still and survive. Complacency within mediocrity will not suffice. After eight months here, I’m still excited and believe in the potential of this area, more so than when I first started. I have made some mistakes, I’ve disappointed some folks, I’ve not always extended my hand. But, wow, we have a great opportunity to reclaim and build upon a strong foundation. Tomorrow is brighter than today and I’m glad to be a part of the light that is the future of Mt. Gilead and Montgomery County.