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By Robert Kellogg

In recent days it has become clear that some in the local Tea Party leadership have specifically targeted my record and my campaign for City Council. There is nothing wrong with that, in fact that is what democracy is all about and I welcome the challenge to earn your vote, because even though some at the top of the leadership chain feel I am not worth a second look, I take nothing for granted and feel some within your ranks need an underdog champion who will fight for you if you ever find yourself down on your luck.

First I must respectfully disagree with the notion that this council is irresponsible with fiscal matters. On the contrary, we have passedtwo budgets in a row that does not raise property taxes while giving many of our police and firefighters a much needed raise. I think all of us can agree that if we have a fire or need the police we want someone to respond who is getting paid what they are worth and who has experience in the expertise in which they make a living.

It has also been stated (erroneously) that we have carried the bill for bus rides to Crowders Mountain State Park. That service was a request from the state park rangerand has been covered by state and national funding. This was not initiated by the council, however we did agree to help the park service for the next couple months as they use this as not only a tool to promote the park, but work out communication and logistical kinks before the park gets busier in the fall.

This leads me to the underdog fighting for all. As participants of the local Tea Party I can respect your concerns for fiscal conservatism. I also think you will agree that you need a fighter who has proven themselves in a very short 20 months.

If you want a fighter who is going to continue to work with local law enforcement and non profits to bring awareness to the opioid crisis as well as directly combat the national emergency as declared by our president then please let me continue to fight for you. After all statistics state that most of you have a close family member or friend who is battling addiction or it could even be you. You are not alone and together we can make it clear that addiction is not a moral failure, but an illness that requires treatment in order to conquer.

If you want a fighter who is going to continue to work to address crime, then please let me continue to fight for you. If it feels like some forms of crime have been on the rise this past year you are right. In talking with the N.C. Department of Justice most of the rise in crime can be directly related to a national trend that in large part is directly related to the opioid addiction crisis. Crime certainly needs to be addressed, that is why myself and other council members have voted to raise salaries to recruit more officers and retain the ones we have. We have also empowered our chief to do what is necessary to combat local crime. Crime will also be reduced through job creation and economic development. Knocking down the old Sears building is not only ridding our city of an eyesore, but reducing the unsavory activity that takes place in those empty buildings and I do not think anyone would argue that removing the Budget Inn from the westside would help to boost safety in that area.

Additionally, raising education levels (a county and state function) as well as reducing generational poverty (all of our responsibility) will go along way in stabilizing our crime rate, however until the underlying issues just mentioned are tackled with long term solutions we will continue to deal with intermittent spikes in crime. The greatest thing we can do to immediately affect crime is to deal with the opioid crisis. In spite of the notion by a few that meetings, coalition building and group efforts to tackle this problem are nothing but rhetoric...It actually has served as the building blocks to a community model that has been lauded by the State Attorney Generals office. We should be proud of taking the lead instead of waiting for someone to rescue us. That is leadership, that is fighting for the underdog.

If you want a fighter who is going to continue to address job creation, then please allow me to continue to fight for you. You cannot wave a wand and have jobs appear, but one can work on improving our image, empowering small business and presenting tools that will create an environment for private business to thrive. That is what I have done and what this council is doing. I personally advocated for a downtown liaison (manager) to work closely with merchants in building a stronger downtown and central city. This position will now be a reality, without using any additional funds (thanks to the creative and responsible work of our city manager and staff).

It is also correct to assume that it is the job of the city to create an environment for job creation instead of creating jobs. Bingo, that is why I support FUSE and will continue to fight for good jobs. FUSE is an initiative that creates an environment for small business and even larger business to come in and revitalize several blocks that has otherwise been undesirable and blighted. That is what it is all about. We have left job creation to chance for 30 years now and it has not gotten us anywhere. If we can take a couple blocks, build an entertainment venue that contains a sports complex and then turn that around as a tool to recruit business to the area, that is a plus. The jobs created are needed and we can no longer wait for the cavalry to rescue us, we have to rescue ourselves.

Finally, if you want a fighter who is going to continue to fight for the safety of children, then please allow me to continue to fight for you. I was the driving force behind and the council member that brought forth a change in our cityhuman resourcespolicy that calls for specific training on child abuse and detection if they work directly with minors. If you work in Parks and Rec for example or the Schiele Museum you will be trained to recognize abuse, because those who do not have a voice and are the most vulnerable in our society should have advocates fighting for them.

I want to thank the Gaston Tea Party for targeting me in their local political campaigns. It has made me more focused and forced me to articulate what I stand for and why I hope you will vote to re-elect me to the Gastonia City Council. Although the attacks of their leadership may appear to be personal to many, it is politics, politics as usual and I understand that.

I am not running to be a politician. The divisive rhetoric that has infected Washington and Raleigh cannot infect Gastonia. We have too many challenges ahead of us and need to keep our eye on the prize. To my Tea Party Patriots who value responsibility, fighting the opioid crisis, reducing crime, assisting small business, job creation, protect our children and bring a positive attitude that works for all; then vote for me. Thank you for reading and may we all work together to build a better future.

Jim Kellogg represents Ward 1 on Gastonia City Council.

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My Turn: Gaston Tea Party: I am fighting for you! - Gaston Gazette