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Opinion

Am I a bully?

| Staff Reporters
That’s the question I’ve had to ask myself. My answer is a resounding “no,” but ultimately, what matters most is how others perceive me. If the general perception is that I sometimes come across that way, then I must acknowledge that. Public perception carries weight, more than I’d like to admit, even to myself.

With that in mind, I want to express that I’ve learned something valuable through this experience. I appreciate the editor for calling attention to this perspective, it has helped me reflect and grow, and I truly mean that.

That said, I do want to clarify one part of the op/ed concerning my decision to speak out about the conduct of a sitting zoning board member. Specifically, I addressed his behavior toward a citizen as she exited the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 22. The op/ed suggested my concern stemmed solely from an email I received from the applicant’s realtor. That’s not accurate, and I made this clear on the public record.

My decision was based on a conversation I had with the applicant’s representative, someone I know well and trust, who shared details that were consistent with what I heard from the applicant, the realtor, and an engineer who was also present. Furthermore, the zoning board member himself paraphrased his comments in a quote published by the PNJ, confirming he did say something to the applicant, aside from a few omitted expletives. This contradicts the op/ed’s claim that he “vehemently denies making the alleged comments,” instead blaming another individual present. So, I ask, doesn’t the truth matter, too?

The op/ed was published before the matter was fully addressed at the following Thursday meeting. At first, I hesitated to respond publicly, not wanting to rehash the issue. But after reading the editor’s perspective and taking her feedback seriously, I felt it was important both to thank her for helping me become a better communicator, and to clarify the facts regarding the zoning board incident.

For those who may not be aware, I ultimately chose not to move forward with any motion to remove the zoning board member, nor did I call forward any of the individuals present that day to make a formal case. My intention was to address the issue transparently and move forward.

In closing, I want to be clear, this isn’t an attempt to excuse any past behavior where I may have come across as a bully, nor is it meant to deflect blame onto someone else. If there’s one thing we should all commit to in life, it’s learning and growing.

What did I learn? Let’s just say: Matthew 7:3.

I’ll be working on that plank in my eye.

Sincerely,

Kerry Smith

District 2 Commissioner Santa Rosa County Florida

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