posted by Joe Polk at 9:38 AM /
Matthew H. Smith mopped the sweat from his forehead and approached the front door on Milbeth Drive, literature in hand. Would anyone answer the bell? Would he be able to solve a problem? Answer a question? Or even field a complaint?
"I think it's great," Mr. Brzezinski said of Mr. Smith's effort. "I've been here 11 years and I think this is the first time I've had somebody who isn't running come to the door."
Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07221/807937-55.stm
"I think it's great," Mr. Brzezinski said of Mr. Smith's effort. "I've been here 11 years and I think this is the first time I've had somebody who isn't running come to the door."
Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/07221/807937-55.stm
Labels: politics, representative smith
7 Comments:
He had mentioned at the Ultraparty that he was going to do this. See, this is why I absolutely dislike Representative Smith. I think he actually cares. He returns calls, writes handwritten notes, has meetings with constituents when they ask...all terrible things when you are a Republican thinking there might be a chance to take the seat back at some point.
In all seriousness, I think Matt will continue to hold that seat as long as he wants it if he keeps doing what he is doing. The responsiveness his office has shown and the visibility he has had (including a kids fair in Bethel months back) has been great.
Now the only shot we have for his seat is when Matt seeks promotion to a higher office. I like to see people do well and succeed. It looks to me that Matt has found a good career for himself, dangit!
*CitizenA*
If he truly "cared" he would be doing something to decrease the size of America's largest legislature. Why on earth do we need full-time Senators and Representatives in this day and age? Are there really that many laws that need to be enacted? And, really, the jobs don't even pay that well. I'd rather these individuals did something to actually create wealth rather than drain it from the taxpayer's pocket....
Matt is such a breath of fresh air. He's friendly, committed and genuinely interested in what his constituents have to say. Suffice it to say that I can't ever remember politician going door to door for something other than campaigning. I'm not naive enough to think that Matt's visits aren't part campaigning, but it's the effort that counts.
I find it a bit frustrating that folks who run for office seem to think that I would prefer to look at their website instead of meet them in person. For example, Ward 1 has what is shaping up to be a pretty heated election for Commissioner. It may literally come down to a couple 100 votes (or perhaps fewer). You would think, therefore, that the candidate that knocks on the most doors between now and Election Day would greatly increase his/her odds of a victory in November. I realize that the election is almost 4 whole months away, but there are a lot of doors to hit, and folks are generally around and outside in the summer months. I've not seen Raja or Bonnie Westbrook pounding the pavement. Raja was at First Friday, but I don't think community-wide exposure is what he needs right now. He needs to focus on the folks that can actually vote for him.
I would encourage these candidates to take a page from Mr. Smith's book. If you want me to vote for you and support you along the way, please make the effort.
I received a postcard in the mail a few days ago from Representative Smith about a town hall meeting that he's holding next Thursday, August 16 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building Commissioner's Chambers.
Matt is the real deal. His only agenda is that of his District.
Matt Smith is the real deal. Thank goodness people like him are willing to offer public service. I appreciate him and hope he aspires to a long tenure. One has to wonder how far he could go in a full time political career.
I am a Republican who supported Mark Harris and I almost never vote Democrat, but I have talked to Rep. Smith about reform issues and I believe he is committed to them. He is the only Democrat to buck his party leadership and sign a discharge resolution to bring a bill to reduce the Legislature immediately to the House floor. He also drives his own car and does not take the exorbitant pension.
I also can’t believe someone who is not running for office would spend a Saturday in 90 degree heat knocking on doors. I will be supporting him and working for him next year when he runs for reelection.
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