Zeb Smathers
Title: Mayor
Municipality: Town of Canton
Position Interested In: District Representative - District 12
Tell us why you would like to serve in a leadership position at the League. In particular, specify goals you would like to accomplish as an officer or board member and indicate how, if attained, they will help to achieve Vision 2030 – the League’s future vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030.
As a small-town mayor whose town has faced flooding and economic apocalypse with the closing of our papermill, I suggest my local leadership can be applied to the League's goals for our towns across North Carolina. Further, as a leader, I will strongly advocate for the people in our small towns as their stories matter and be taken as seriously as any other in Raleigh. I also believe the Mains Street message and goals of the League are uniquely positioned to draw support from both sides of Jones Street.
Tell us about your experience as a municipal official. You may want to include information on your service on the municipal governing body, other related boards and special areas of interest.
As mayor, I was part of a team that helped rebuild a community throughout the last decade and a broken spirit, found ways during the pandemic to balance safety without sacrificing our soul, helped rebuild Canton after devastating floods and now I am guiding the town though economic ruin and discovering our new future by bringing out our best and boldness.
Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities.
Pisgah High school 2001, Duke University 2005; UNC Law 2008, Numerous Civic and charitable groups, Chairman of the Southwestern Commission COG
Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees?
-
Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days
-
Legislative Lobby Days
Please provide any other information you would like the Nominations Committee to consider.
