My Political Hero

Thank you to the Democratic Party precincts committees of Carrboro, Kirk Ross of the Carrboro Citizen, and Lake Hogan Farms for organizing this public forum.

To read about my qualifications, experience and stand on various issues, I would like to direct you all to www.lydialavelle.com for an in-depth look at my campaign.  

During this opening, however, I would like to explain to you what I think you should expect in a candidate for the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, and why I believe I meet those expectations.  So, in order for me to convey to you what those expectations should be, I would like to use an illustrative example – my Dad.

My dad, William Lavelle, is 82 years old and lives in Athens, Ohio, and he is my political hero.  First, a bit about him:  he grew up during the depression, and as a teenager ran the Lavelle Dairy Farm with my uncles as his help.  After high school, he fought in WWII, and returned home to attend Ohio University and then Ohio State University where he received his law degree.  He has practiced law or been a judge since 1953.  He and my mom were married for 47 1/2 years. 

My years growing up were spent around politics, as my Dad has been an active Democrat all of his life.  He was a delegate in Los Angeles in 1960 for John Kennedy and a delegate in 2000 in Los Angeles for Al Gore (in fact, you could say that my first political outing was with my mom in utero in 1960 when JFK was being nominated for the presidency!) My dad also was the Democratic State Chairman of Ohio and he served on the Democratic National Committee. 

I always admired my Dad’s dedication and the time he devoted to making our community and our state a better place to live.  I admired his choice of profession, and recall nights and week-ends when he would be researching and writing to make sure his clients got his best possible representation.

I learned values of honesty from my Dad – I can remember talking to him as a young girl about other people saying “all politicians (or lawyers) were crooks,” and his calm reassurance that there were plenty of honest people in politics, and that there were plenty of honest lawyers, and that it was just important to never forget who you were, or your values.

I recall mailing my dad a letter when I was 8 years old.  It began, “Dear Mr. Lavelle,” and I asked for legal advice about getting my older brother to share the front seat of the car with me.  I still have the letter he mailed back to me, copying my brother, encouraging us to work out our differences, and to arrive at a compromise.  He told me he would waive his customary fee if we followed his advice.

My Dad is the most optimistic person I know; he always sees the glass half full.  His law practice was open to everyone over the years, from the 1960’s when he was the first attorney to defend (as he calls them) the “hippies” to local farmers to prominent businessmen.  Whether in the grocery store, in the courtroom, or on the street, I have always seen him give everyone he talks with the respect they deserve, no matter who they are - from coal miners in the county to the governor of the state. 

If I can demonstrate these values I have seen my Dad demonstrate over the years, I will feel accomplished.  And so, these are my goals if elected to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen:

I pledge to be a dedicated public servant – to be attentive at board meetings, and to be an active listener.

I pledge to take the time necessary to research and be educated about matters coming before the board.

I pledge to never forget who I am, or what my values are. 

I pledge to try to work out differences with others and if necessary, to arrive at compromises that take the best interests of Carrboro in mind.

I pledge to give everyone the respect that they deserve.

I pledge to remain optimistic and positive about our wonderful town – we face challenges, and will continue to face more challenges in the coming years, but as a collective community we will figure out solutions to those challenges.

I pledge to advocate for policies that make fiscal, environmental and common sense, and I pledge that even if you disagree with me on an issue, you will have been heard, and you will understand the reasoning behind my decisions.

And finally, I pledge to work as hard as I can to make Carrboro a better place to live for all of us. 

Thank you.