I was very intrigued by this workshop and felt that as a concerned citizen I should attend.

I found the workshop was well planned and the program was well presented.

I was pleased to see a good turnout by our citizens, town staff and our town leadership (past, present and possible future). I was pleased to see that people were concerned and interested in the future of Wendell.

From what I understand about this program, the NCSU School of Design will be presenting a plan for the town of Wendell.

This plan will consist of smart growth ideas and a possible vision for us to follow. They will show us what we need to do to succeed while maintaining the small-town charm that makes Wendell so special.

They will help us showcase our current assets and find ways to explore new avenues for our future. I truly believe this plan will give us insight into our future and will give us something to work on and work from.

I want to urge our leadership and fellow citizens to listen to the advice of wise counsel and to take action with wisdom and knowledge.

Many times action takes risk and risk is uncomfortable. I believe it's time for Wendell to think outside of the box by forming our unique vision and then moving forward with it.

Wendell citizens must stand up and speak. As citizens and taxpayers, we must take a vision for Wendell seriously and express our needs and desires to our leadership and join with them for implementation and action.

As citizens, we must take action ourselves and get involved. Wendell deserves strong unified leadership and a strong, documented vision to achieve and maintain a successful future.

I close with a great quote from John F. Kennedy that I find it so fitting as we sit at a crossroads in Wendell wondering which way to go.

"There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction," John F. Kennedy.

Chris C. Smith

Wendell