-----Original Message-----

From: Jenn Frye [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:18 AM

To: Sabrina Oliver

Subject: Statement from Amy Smoker

Hi Sabrina,

Sorry again that I didn’t bring copies of this last night. It slipped my mind as I was leaving the office. Below is the statement from Amy Smoker, who could not be at the public hearing on the public financing program last night. Thank you,

Jenn Frye

1705 Allard Rd, Apt A

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

919-672-6135

________________________________

Good evening Mr. Mayor and council Members,

I could not be at this hearing tonight because I have a previous commitment at my child's school.  I wish strongly that I could have been, however, because public financing of political campaigns is an issue about which I feel very strongly. 

I support VOE because I have believed for a long time that money is too big a factor in our political process at all levels.  I believe that the influence of big donors on the election process is one of the important reasons that voters feel disenfranchised from the political process, where their votes don’t seem to count if they don't have money to influence the process.

I also support VOE because I believe that it allows for a greater range of people to participate in running for political office.  Our town government will be better represented by women and minorities if we support VOE.  A person's financial wealth should not be the factor determining who can "afford" to run for office.  VOE would encourage people who have experience, ideas and an interest in shaping the future of our community, rather than only allowing those who have personal wealth or ties to those large donor groups with a financial stake in town government decisions.

Finally, when I moved to Chapel Hill five years ago, I felt so strongly about this issue that started volunteering at Democracy NC. I continue to volunteer my time with them because when I considered how could I best support a more healthy political process, I felt that the most effective use of my time and energy would be to encourage change not just at the political office level, but at the system level.  VOE will move our Democracy in a healthy direction.

Thank you,

Amy Smoker

316 Reade Rd

Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Let's make public campaign financing an issue in the '08 elections.  Ask candidates in ALL NC races to commit to supporting reform!

Molly Beacham

Director of Development

Democracy North Carolina

1821 Green Street

Durham, NC 27705

919 286-6000 ext. 12