My Final Pre-Primary Post- Differences For Voters in District 3 to Consider

The day is almost here. Primary Day is next Tuesday, March 15. At that point, win or lose, the primary season will be over. Before we get there, I thought it would be good to write a little bit about what distinguishes me from my opponent. I have tried my best to take the high road in this campaign and focus on (i) issues directly relating to our schools and (ii) attributes that I have that make me a good candidate rather than mentioning what I see as the weaknesses of my opponent.  Even though I am going to comment on the differences between my opponent and I in this post, I will continue to take the high road and focus on myself rather than showing my opponents weaknesses in this post. I hate to have to mention that I am doing this in my post, but I felt it necessary because it speaks to the type of campaign that I have tried to run. 

As a starting point, if you are interested in seeing a non-biased analysis of the two candidates in my race, take a look at this week’s write up in the Triad City Beat. A link to the article is here.  I believe the writer did a good job of capturing views from both of us while also providing some good and important facts about our backgrounds that show ways that we are different.  Like I said, I encourage all District 3 voters to take a look at the article for a non-biased analysis.

Getting back to my writing, I would start by pointing out that when I got into this race I really didn't have a clue how to run a campaign. When I made the decision to get into the race, I hadn't worked on a campaign before let alone run for elected office before. I knew this may lead to a bit of a disadvantage in the name recognition game. But, I wasn't going to let that hold me back. You see, I jumped into the political fray because I wanted to make a difference for kids, like my kids, in Guilford County. I didn't jump into this race because I had a great desire to be in public office. I didn't jump into this race because I have a great love for politics. Simply put, I got into this race because I wanted to do what I could to make our schools better for our children.  And you know what, I believe that my message has resonated with the folks that I have met and spoke with.  I have been very encouraged by the body language I see from the audiences when I speak and the comments that I get afterwards.  Over the course of the past couple of minds, I know I have convinced some people who knew my opponent before I got into the race that I am the better choice. And, I take heart in that fact.

I have been at this for several months now and have spoken on several panels with my opponent and I can't say for sure why he is in the race. I have heard him say lots of different things and he may very well have some good reasons for running, but what I can promise you is that I feel very strongly that his reasons for running are not as good as mine.  I'd ask you to focus on why I am running when you go to the ballot box.  I have attempted to set out those reasons why I am running in my previous posts.  I'd urge you to look back at my prior posts and read about what I see as my heightened sense of empathy that drives me in my campaign.

For ease of seeing what I stand for in this election, here are links to my prior posts:

Why Voters Should Vote for Me for District 3 of the Guilford County Board of Education (Part 1)

What I Will Do If I Am Elected to the Guilford County School Board-Implementing the Say Yes Student Support Programs

Why Voters Should Vote for Me for District 3 of the Guilford County Board of Education (Part 2) and What I Will Do If I Am Elected (Part 2)- Just a Hint, I Am Not One To Give Up

Why Voters Should Vote For Me For District 3 of the Guilford County Board of Education (Part 3)- I am a Dad, and not just that, I am an Autism Dad.

A Request and What Will I Do If I Am Elected to the Guilford County School Board (Part 3) - Accountability Without Making Excuses

Why Voters Should Vote for Me For District 3 of the Guilford County Board of Education (Part 4)- Character

A Post By Caroline Pearce

I'd urge you to look at my campaign material and see how I have spoken about how I think we need to refocus the schools priorities back to our classrooms and build bonds between teachers, students, and parents so we have fully engaged teams working to provide every student with a quality education. I would even point out that I have heard my opponent reiterate several of my points during panels after I have made the points in previous writing or speaking opportunities.  I have taken this as the ultimate sense of flattery that my opponent apparently liked my ideas enough that he thought he would adopt them for his own.  

Another place where I believe there is a difference between my opponent and I is our records of making a difference in the causes with which we have become involved.  I encourage the voters to look at my record before they go to the ballot box.  You can look at my opponent's record as well if you like, but I ask that you focus on me. When the voters look at my record, they will see that I have a record of being a successful parent advocate.  This is exemplified by my recognition as Autism Speaks National Parent Advocate of the Year (I know I have mentioned this several times but I mention it again because I am very proud of the award). When the voters look at my record, they will see that I have a record as a leader, not a follower.  This is exemplified by my recognition as one of the Triad's 40 Leaders Under 40.  When the voters look at my record, they will see that I have a record as an accomplished attorney.  This is exemplified by my recognition from Super Lawyers as a "Rising Star," by Business North Carolina magazine as a "Young Gun," and by NC Lawyers Weekly as an "Emerging Legal Leader."  Hands down, I believe if voters run a comparison of the records of my opponent and I, the voters will see I am clearly the better choice for District 3.

A third place where I believe there is a difference between my opponent and I is our professional experience.  While I certainly do not believe that our school board should be comprised of all lawyers, I do think that my professional experiences would bring an asset to the school board that my opponent cannot bring.  As a commercial real estate attorney I understand the intricacies of facility construction, financing and maintenance. My knowledge and experience in this regard will provide valuable when the school board is required to make decisions relating to facilities and these decisions are required a lot.  As a litigator I understand that just about every action has certain effects and risks and I know how to evaluate that risk when a decision is required to be made.  If I am elected, I will not just have to rely on the School Board's legal counsel when tough decisions are required. Instead, I will be able to conduct my own analysis in order to determine what should or shouldn't be done. 

This is getting lengthy so I am going to stop.  But before I do, I hope that the voters in District 3 will really investigate the candidates before they vote. I hope the voters won't just go with the person whose name they have seen on the ballot before or the person who has a relative who is in office. No, I hope the voters will look at the both of us and make an informed choice. If the voters will do that, I have no doubt that they will see that I am the better choice for District 3.

A Post By Caroline Pearce

I have forwarded many of Brian’s posts about running for the Guilford County Board of Education and I have been to many events in his support, but I have never really written about why I am excited to support his candidacy.  I know what you are thinking, of course you would support him! After all, he is your husband. 

Brian would be the first to tell you that we have the type of relationship where we freely discuss the pros and cons of what either of us wants to do and come to a family decision.  Brian knew and has known that if I didn’t think Brian running for the Board of Education was a good idea then I would not have held back my thoughts or opinions with him and I would have worked to convince Brian not to run.  But that didn’t happen. I agree with the reasons Brian is running all of his ideas to better our schools and I wanted to tell you why.

Brian wants to be a voice for the parents.  I have been that parent and the person that has had a passion or concern and been standing on the sidelines (or at a meeting) and felt my thoughts, feelings and needs were not being heard.  I have been the momma bear that would do anything to protect and help my child. But I can only yell so loud and go so far if no one is there to listen, understand and voice my concerns on the other side.  I, of course, have had most of my experiences with my son, who is on the autism spectrum, but I recognize that all families have their own personal struggles with issues that their own children have to overcome.  I know that my husband is empathetic to all of these struggles and that he will have the desire to hear and understand and act upon the needs of those who choose to bring their struggles to the Board of Education for resolution.  Brian is just that type of person. He is willing to fight for these who need someone fighting for them.

         Brian has a high level compassion for others.  Brian put himself out in the forefront of being an advocate for insurance reform for children with Autism in North Carolina.  What most people don’t understand and don’t know is that our family already had coverage for our child’s therapies under our insurance plan when Brian was in the lead in this fight.  Brian is not a “because I am okay, then everything is okay” kind of person.  No, instead of stepping out of the fight when we had coverage, Brian spent countless hours driving back and forth to Raleigh and speaking to whatever members of the General Assembly would listen to him.  During the fight for coverage, Brian ruffled the feathers of those who opposed the change or were willing to accept a less than perfect resolution, but he only did that because he saw the importance in fighting for a law that would provide every child with the type of insurance coverage that they deserved.  Brian believes the same with education.  Every child, no matter what their background is or what abilities they have, deserves an exceptional education. Brian will go to bat for all of our children and fight to make sure they are receiving a quality education in a safe place. 

     Brian has integrity and character.  I think sometimes these important qualities get overlooked in this day and age.  In this age where we have all of the horrible name calling and bashing of people, we see negative headlines or hear negative comments and think “I’m not surprised, that is just how people are these days”.  Why does it have to be that way?  When did we as a society stop caring about upholding good morals and ethical practices?  People like to think that if it doesn’t affect them directly then it doesn’t really matter, but it does.  If we don’t hold the people we trust to make decisions about or children’s future to a high standard, then what have we become? After all, how you act when you think no one is looking, should be how you act when everyone is looking.  I have never questioned my husband’s character or his loyalty to our family, friends, or his work.  I know that you wouldn’t have to question him either.

I just want to sum up by saying again that I am out there with my husband pushing to get him elected, not just because he is my husband, but because I think he is the best candidate for the job.  I am picking him because I trust in his ability to make every child’s education be the best in Guilford County.