Office of Northeast Citizens' Representative Smid

[Smid]

Always happy to listen to my constituents.

[Smid]

Thank you all, dear friends, for your messages of support.

I promise I will faithfully perform my duties of representation to my fellow citizens of the Northeast.

The Northeast citizenry is a diverse group of people, with political opinions from all over the political spectrum. When so many of us hold such varied opinions, it is likely that at some time I will disappoint most of you with my vote on some piece of legislation at some time. I don't apologise for this - because I assure you that I will vote according to my conscience and seek to exercise my judgement before voting. A controversial decision is only controversial if opinion on the matter is divided, and I know I won't always be on the winning side of the argument, but I am happy to speak for a minority opinion if it is echoed by my conscience.

As Edmund Burke said, "it ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinions high respect; their business unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasure, his satisfactions, to theirs,—and above all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his own.

"But his unbiased opinion, his mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not derive from your pleasure,—no, nor from the law and the Constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion."

I will use my unbiased opinion, my mature judgement, and my enlightened conscience when voting on legislation brought before the House, and if there are times you disagree with the decision I made, it is because I am not willing to sacrifice my judgement to your opinion. If you feel so strongly that my decision was wrong, that my judgement is flawed, we live in a democracy and we hold elections to decide those who will make our laws. While it will be my opinion that you vote for me, I likewise expect you to exercise your good judgement at the ballot box and to not sacrifice your judgement to my opinion if you believe someone else could better perform the role of Representative.

I congratulate my fellow appointees to the legislature. I look forward to working alongside you all.

[Smid]

I am pleased to announce my support for the current Northeastern Sex Education Bill presently being debated before the House. As I stated in my speech, I believe this proposed legislation will reduce the abortion rate in the Northeast and will benefit married couples in the years ahead. I also support the foreshadowed amendment to allow parents to opt their children out of sex education classes, although I personally don't believe the curriculum imposes on religious beliefs, as in my opinion it doesn't engage in moral instruction.

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Due to the potential legal issues surrounding the Sexual Education Bill, I will vote against over-riding the Governor's veto. I remain committed to the Bill and hope the necessary amendments can be passed to make the Bill workable.

[Smid]

Thank you to all of the voters who supported my return to the Northeast Assembly, especially to Earl and DWTL, who first preferenced me.

I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of the Northeast in the months ahead and shall hopefully be returned as Speaker of the Assembly, in order to help establish further procedure.

[Smid]

Congratulations!

Thank you! I would not have been elected without the strong flow of preferences from your supporters.

[Smid]

Congratulations!

Thank you! I would not have been elected without the strong flow of preferences from your supporters.

You deserved some more first preferences, IMO.

I was satisfied with the outcome. I didn't even first preference myself.

[Smid]

To any Reps I haven't congratulated in your own office threads, congratulations! I'm looking forward to working with each of you in this next term in office.

Regarding Lt Governor Barnes's suggestion earlier today about forming Committees, are we interested in this? If so, we can discuss it here so as to not take up time in the Assembly since this isn't legislation. If we decide to go ahead with it, we can incorporate the Committees into the SOAP and discuss it quickly and pass requisite changes.

Liquor's in the cabinet to the left of my desk, and there's a bar fridge/freezer behind the doors below it. Help yourself to whatever you want to drink.

[Smid]

Sorry I was away yesterday, we flew my sister down as an early Christmas present. I picked her up from the airport and was showing her around town yesterday so didn't log on.

[Smid]

Casting my vote on the current Motion regarding the Cape Wind Energy Project required a great deal of careful deliberation, and as I was still considering my opinion, I refrained from entering the debate.

By the time my opinion had crystalised, I found that the final vote on the motion had been called and so I have come here to explain my vote and my concerns with the motion before the House.

I am not opposed to the use of wind power, nor the construction of wind generators by private operators. I am not opposed the improvements in air quality that Northeastern residents will enjoy due to the decrease in power generated by coal-fired power stations.

I am, however, opposed to the disregard with which local landowners have been treated.

The Cape Wind Energy Project will place unsightly visual pollution on the nearby scenery and will consequently devalue properties on the coastline.

As a strong supporter of private property rights, I can only support this project if the consortium involved in the construction and operation of the Cape Wind Energy Project is prepared to compensate the neighbouring landowners for the devaluation of their properties. If the project is economically viable, then there can be no reason why these neighbours should not be recompensed.

I have no problem with the use of wind energy to power our homes, but I respect the property rights of local landowners.

[Smid]

At a Doorstop Interview Called by Speaker of the Northeast Assembly, Representative Smid, on the Steps of the Assembly

Smid walks out of the Assembly Hall, to the steps of the Assembly

Having served two terms in the Northeast Assembly, I believe I have accomplished a good deal for citizens of our beautiful region. It was humbling to be appointed by Governor AndrewCT as one of the first Representatives in the Assembly and even moreso to be elected by my constituents to continue to serve them. I especially thank EarlAW for his vote. It was a great priviledge to serve as the inaugural Speaker of the Northeast Assembly and I believe that my knowledge of parliamentary procedure allowed the Assembly to function effectively and allowed us to set in place traditions and procedures that will ensure the Assembly will continue to be as efficient and as effective as it has been in the past.

I believe, however, that the time has come for fresh ideas and for new representatives to improve the lives of our neighbours and our communities throughout the Northeast and I will be standing aside to allow them to perform that role.

I am pleased to see the number of candidates who have so far nominated to run for election to the Northeast Assembly. Competitive elections are an essential element of democracy and I wish all the candidates well.

It has been a pleasure assisting Lt Governor Barnes in his role as presiding officer of the Assembly, and I have enjoyed working alongside all my fellow Representatives, especially Representative Cinyc, who I respect greatly.

I have time for one or two questions.

[Smid]

Thanks everyone for your kind words.