Lt. Governor Candidate - Pat Smathers

Some of you may not know anything about this candidate here is his link: http://www.patsmathers2008.com/

Pat Smathers has a background in trial law. He has worked extensively in the court systems and in estate planning for people with developmental disabilities.

Beliefs:
"I believe that North Carolina is a chain of communities."

Slogan
"My campaign slogan and my belief is Local Leadership, State Wide". "That slogan is not about a mayor running for a state wide office, it is about empowering local people to take charge."
"Raleigh can help but it is we who have to get a grip on these issues."

Motto
"Our state motto is 'To be rather than to seem'. "Don’t say one thing and do another."

After going through his beliefs, motto and slogan Pat Smathers got down to business by sating that the "legislation passed in 2001 dismantled our system, outsourced care to local agencies and compounded existing issues and problems." Smathers stated that we rank 43 in the nation on capital spending for MH/DD/SAS.

We rank 43 in the nation on capital spending in MH we have MH professionals leaving MH beause it is hap hazard and underfunded for years


When asked specifically about the status of DD services in our state Pat Smathers got two very direct questions. One regarding if DD in his adminstration would get the short stick, since the media is focused so closely on the Mental Health crisis?

"They will get the short stick if we do not concentrate on it. You need to raise awareness
You need to raise awareness. You need to be there asking for the funds. That is the only way it is going to happen. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. We have not done a good job addressing these issues."

On the issue of emergency services during a natural disaster the reply was, "In the first 48 hours you are on your own. That is why it is important that local people be prepared."

Last came a question from the audience. "What do you know about developmental disabilities?"

"I am not an expert. What I know most about developmental disabilities is my invovlement of estate planning. This is another issue that is not being realized or addressed by the state."