Tom Pahl Announces Run for County Commissioner

To my friends and neighbors in Ocracoke,

When we moved to Ocracoke eleven years ago, it was to come and live on a beautiful and remote island and it has been everything I expected.  What I didn't know was that we were also moving into a strong and vibrant community that would welcome us like family.  It has been gratifying and fun and interesting and challenging in so many ways.  I would have never imagined that I would feel so much a part of this community in just a few quick years.

I'm writing to let you know that I am putting my name forward as a candidate for the Ocracoke representative to the Hyde County Board of Commissioners.  I don't do this lightly and I have to say that I sincerely wish someone with deeper roots in Ocracoke would have chosen to run.  But the filing deadline is only days away and it is critically important that the voters in Ocracoke and Hyde County have a choice in this election.

I believe that local government is the heart and soul of American Democracy.  If we can make local government work, then I believe there is hope that we might correct the dysfunction at the State and Federal levels.  

But it's not just idealism that motivates me.  Hyde County operates under a sixteen million dollar budget and it needs to be managed in a business-like manner, with attention and seriousness; the way those of us in the private sector manage our own businesses.

While I am not new to local government, I am a (relative) newcomer to Ocracoke.  I'll need your help and I'll ask for your forgiveness, in advance, for not knowing who everyone on the island is cousin to.  I've tried, but I just can't seem to keep it straight.

I will keep in touch though, and please feel free to contact me by email, phone or old fashioned talk.  I'll be off the island from December 18th until after the 1st, enjoying the holidays with family and friends and I hope you all do will be able to do the same.

Respectfully,
Tom Pahl
thpahl@earthlink.net
860-933-0259