FARMVILLE — Thanks, Mr. Woodley, for the opportunity to address an important question. It was actually easy for me to identify the one thing that I would want to do on Town Council for the people of Farmville. However, as with most serious issues, the why’s and how’s to make it a reality are not easy at all.

For weeks, I have been spending every night and all day Saturdays knocking on the doors of Farmville residents asking for their vote. I will continue to do so until the election. Included in my visit is an opportunity for the residents to express any concerns they have regarding our town. The overwhelming number one response is concern over the perceived decline in retail stores in Farmville, downtown in particular.

The loss of Kroger is the number one mentioned store. If elected, my responsibility lies in listening to residents’ concerns and issues and bringing them to Council for discussion and hopefully working toward a solution. Let me state clearly that I recognize the complexity of the issues regarding the loss of clothing stores, shoe shops, and the like. Mom and Pop stores across the country have closed in response to large retailers that offer a much greater variety of merchandise, and with their buying power, can offer lower prices. Having said that, Farmville residents want more.

I am going on record that I am not Superman, and frankly, he doesn’t exist. What we need to build a more vibrant Farmville is not a Superman but a Super Team. This team must include town, county, regional leaders and citizens working together to attract new businesses. I am convinced this is exactly what is happening right now. I believe town officials, Downtown Farmville, and others are working diligently to bring new businesses to Farmville.

What can I contribute to the solution to many residents concerns? If I win this special election, I pledge to assist the Downtown Farmville group to the best of my ability. I will work with Town Council to bring in new businesses. I believe my time on the Farmville Planning Commission will be beneficial to my understanding the issues.

But let’s be clear: this is not a one-man task. It takes a team. I want to be part of that team because smart growth is the most important issue facing our town.

Don’t believe it? Knock on some doors. Some residents tell me they feel the town is dying because of a lack of additional grocery stores, clothing stores, etc. I disagree. I feel our town is well-led, well-managed, and has much to offer. Retail sales were up for the Town of Farmville in 2013 by 1.73 percent. This is not the statistic leading one to believe our town is dying.

Farmville Downtown Partnership Executive Director Helen Person has told me that the key to growth in Farmville is to convey to those interested in opening businesses in Farmville that we are not a town of just 8,500 residents. Farmville is far more than that. We are the hub of an eight-county area with a population of 125,000 people. We know what a wonderful area we live in. We must sell our community to those interested in relocating here. The smart growth of Farmville must be the goal of our leaders.

Why should a business open here? Just look around. How many towns our size have a wonderful airport, a municipal golf course, two wonderful institutions of higher learning, a modern hospital, a rails to trails park, a civil rights museum, a blue-way, parks, skateboard parks, Downtown stage, Longwood University Visual Arts Center/museum, a free medical need-based clinic, a modern public library, and more…much, much more.

The question Mr. Woodley has given us candidates to answer is a good one but I have to take issue with the “if you could only do one thing” part. The little word “you” had me stumped until I realized why. To me the “you” should be “we”. Alone I can accomplish very little, maybe nothing, but 125,000 of us can get it done. Am I a bit of a cheerleader for the Town of Farmville? You bet I am.