In many American cities today, in our state governments, and in Washington, D.C., all sorts of folks with titles, power and large salaries hold leadership positions.
They enjoy the perks, the honors and compliments paid them, and the opportunities to appear before cameras and pontificate before an audience, where all too often they push an agenda that only loosely falls within their domain of governance. They bask in the sunshine of plaudits when all goes well, but are quick to play the blame game when things fall apart. They are treated with respect only because of the office or title they hold, not for their character or their commitment to the people they are supposed to serve.
Standing in stark contrast to these prima donnas are two small town mayors who are their polar opposites.
Here is part of the obituary of Harvey Smith of Boonville, N.C., the town of 600 where I lived long ago during my elementary school years. I often tagged along with my mom when she shopped at Smith’s store and still vividly recollect the man.
He was a veteran of the US Army, having served during WWII, alongside his good friend John Wesley Mathis. Harvey worked for Chatham Manufacturing for many years, and also ran Smith’s Cash Grocery in Boonville. He was a lifelong member of Boonville Baptist Church where he served as treasurer for many years. Harvey also served as mayor of Boonville for 34 years, fire chief for Boonville VFD, was a member of Boonville Lions Club, and was currently a board member for the fire dept. He played basketball for Elon College and had wonderful stories of playing against Duke and Carolina. Harvey started refereeing in 1949 and enjoyed it for many years. Harvey will be best remembered for being humble, kind hearted, and always willing to help anyone.
Note that the word “served” appears three times in this paragraph. Note, too, that this man gave of himself to the town he loved and was loved in return. A case in point: Smith once stepped down from the office of mayor, content to let a younger man, whom I’d known in our school days together, take his place. At the next election, the people reelected Smith by write-in balloting. They revered him and wanted him back as mayor.
One hundred fifty miles southwest of Boonville is the mountain town of Canton in Haywood County, N.C., near where I lived for over 20 years. When the flooding and winds of Hurricane Helene devastated this region, a young attorney, Zeb Smathers, was Canton’s mayor. He was also serving in that office during the traumatic closure of the town’s 115-year-old paper mill and a 2021 flood.
In a 2024 tribute paid to Smathers by “The Mountaineer,” a local newspaper, we find these words of praise from N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper (D):
“When I walk around with Mayor Smathers, people are constantly coming up to him saying thank you and talking to him about an issue because they know they are going to be heard.”
Cooper added:
It’s pretty clear he doesn’t shrink from adversity. People know he truly cares about them. He helps to put a plan together and works hard to execute that plan. Even in times of trial, he leads with a positive, can-do attitude because I think he truly believes in the resilience of the people of Canton and of Western North Carolina.
North Carolina’s U.S. Sen. Tom Tillis is a Republican, and Smathers a Democrat, but like Cooper, Tillis has nothing but high praise for this young man. “It’s difficult times like these that strong leadership is needed most, and Zeb Smathers has stepped up to the plate in every way on behalf of the town to help them through these crises,” Tillis said.
The article also notes that Smathers “accepts the full burden of responsibility when things aren’t going well but generously shares the credit with others when there are successes.”
Connection, commitment, caring: these are three key elements of leadership demonstrated by these two men.
But there’s one other critical ingredient in their leadership recipe.
In his book “Bringing Out the Best in People,” Alan McGinnis mentions William Manchester’s biography of Douglas MacArthur, “American Caesar.” There Manchester examines the deep loyalty MacArthur elicited from his men during the First World War. “And how did he do that?” McGinnis asks. Manchester answers, “He was closer to their age than other senior officers … shared their discomforts and their danger, and adored them in return.”
Like Smith and Smathers, along with MacArthur, the best leaders love the people they serve. It is that care and affection that have gone missing in so many of today’s self-proclaimed leaders.
Jeff Minick is a father of four and grandfather to many. A former history, literature, and Latin teacher, Jeff now writes prolifically for The Epoch Times, American Essence Magazine, and several other publications.
This culture article was made possible by The Fred & Rheta Skelton Center for Cultural Renewal, a project of 1819 News. To comment on this article, please email culture@1819news.com.
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