By Nicky Smith
November 5, 2025
For more than forty years, I have called Greensboro home. I have seen this city grow, struggle, rebuild, and rise again. I have seen generations of families build businesses, volunteer in their communities, and work hard to make Greensboro a city they could be proud of. However, I have never seen our city as divided – or as distracted – as it is today.
This most recent election was not about local leadership, policy, or progress. It was about something else entirely – something that should concern every citizen who cares about Greensboro’s future. The voters of our city, rather than focusing on the issues that affect our daily lives, were swept up in a wave of national anger and partisan identity. Instead of asking who could best manage our city’s budget, strengthen public safety, and encourage responsible growth, too many voters cast their ballots through the lens of Washington politics.
The result was predictable but deeply disappointing. Candidates with experience in business, management, and civic leadership were pushed aside. The noise of national rhetoric drowned out common-sense voices that could have brought stability to City Hall. The people of Greensboro deserved a debate about local priorities – about crime, infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunity. Instead, they were given talking points designed to divide rather than solve problems.
Greensboro’s challenges are real and immediate. Our police department remains underfunded and understaffed, which directly impacts response times and neighborhood safety. Property taxes continue to rise, making it increasingly difficult for working families and small businesses to thrive. Transparency in city government is often lacking, and major spending decisions are made with little public scrutiny or debate.
These are the issues that local elections should be about. They impact whether our streets are safe, whether our businesses can grow, and whether families can afford to stay in the communities they love. Yet during this election cycle, they were overshadowed by political slogans imported from the national stage. Discussions about Greensboro’s future were replaced by ideological battles that have nothing to do with paving roads, collecting trash, or keeping neighborhoods safe.
This is not how local democracy is supposed to work. Local government is meant to be practical and results-oriented. It is where citizens should see government function closest to their daily lives – where elected officials are held accountable for what they do, not what party they belong to.
Part of this shift has been fueled by a small but vocal network of activist groups who have turned city politics into a partisan proving ground. These organizations thrive on outrage. They use emotional appeals and divisive messaging to frame every local issue as part of a national struggle. The result is a political environment where cooperation is replaced by confrontation and reasoned debate is drowned out by noise.
These same groups celebrate ideological purity over real accomplishment. They reward candidates who repeat the slogans of their movement rather than those who understand how to manage budgets, balance growth, or support law enforcement. That approach might energize a small circle of activists, but it does nothing for the thousands of Greensboro residents who simply want safe neighborhoods, good schools, and honest leadership.
Our city does not need leaders who mimic national politicians or carry the banner of any party’s extremes. We need problem-solvers. We need people who understand how to balance a budget, who can attract new employers without overburdening taxpayers, and who will listen to the citizens they serve rather than to political consultants.
A truly local leader understands that Greensboro’s future depends on fiscal responsibility, strong public safety, and partnerships with businesses large and small. We cannot continue to tax residents into frustration while failing to show visible improvements in services and infrastructure. And we cannot expect new industries to invest in our city if political division and anti-business sentiment dominate the conversation.
We are better than this. Greensboro’s history is filled with people who stepped up to lead with courage, integrity, and a sense of purpose. They were not driven by ideology or personal ambition – they were guided by a belief in service and a desire to make the city better for everyone.
If we want to honor that legacy, we must take responsibility as citizens. That means paying attention to what happens at City Hall. It means showing up to council meetings, asking questions, and holding our elected officials accountable for how they spend our tax dollars. It means turning down the noise of national politics and refocusing on what matters here at home.
Every election is a choice, not just between candidates but between priorities. In the recent election, too many people allowed national politics to dictate their priorities. We cannot afford to let that happen again.
The next few years will be critical for Greensboro. The decisions made by this new council will shape the future of our economy, our neighborhoods, and our city’s reputation. If citizens remain silent, spending will go unchecked, taxes will continue to rise, and public safety will remain under strain. Major employers and developers will look elsewhere for communities that value collaboration and efficiency.
But there is still hope. Greensboro is a resilient city filled with hardworking, intelligent people who care deeply about their community. We can recover from this moment—but only if we demand better from our leaders and from ourselves.
Let’s put aside the bitterness and division that national politics have brought into our local life. Let’s return to the principles that once made Greensboro strong: fairness, accountability, and respect for every citizen.
Our city deserves better. It’s time to bring back common sense, unity, and true local leadership to Greensboro.
— Nicky Smith, Greensboro, NC
