OPINION: 3 years in and just getting started

Three years ago, I launched my campaign for Lexington Town Council with a simple belief: local government works best when it stays close to the people it serves.

It’s hard to believe that we are approaching three years since I was elected in the 2023 Special Election. In many ways, it feels like just yesterday that I was knocking on your doors, listening to concerns about growth, traffic, small businesses, and the character of our community. In other ways, it feels like a lifetime ago – with many incredible moments in between.

I’ve learned a lot in these three years.

I’ve learned that governing is harder than campaigning — and that it should be. Decisions aren’t made in soundbites or social media posts. They’re made after reading hundreds of pages of documents, reviewing budgets line by line, asking difficult questions, and weighing long-term consequences. The issues before us often don’t come with easy answers.

I’ve learned that good people can disagree — strongly — and still care deeply about Lexington. Disagreement is not dysfunction. Thoughtful debate is often a sign that elected officials are taking their responsibilities seriously. My promise has always been that I won’t shy away from asking questions or offering a different perspective when I believe it serves our citizens.

I’ve also learned that showing up matters.

Whether it’s a ribbon cutting, a school event, a small business anniversary, a neighborhood meeting, or an Icehouse concert, being present isn’t ceremonial — it’s essential. Local government should be visible and accessible. Over the past three years, I’ve made it a priority to stay engaged, to listen, and to remain connected to the everyday life of our Town. That commitment will continue.

And perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that the status quo is comfortable — but comfort should never be our goal.

Growth is happening in Lexington. With that comes opportunity — but also serious responsibility. As we look ahead, we must ensure that development is thoughtful, coordinated, and aligned with the long-term health of our community.

It is my firm belief that we cannot work in silos. The decisions made by the Town directly impact Lexington County, our School District, emergency services, and infrastructure systems beyond our municipal borders. That’s why I believe we must strengthen our partnership with the County and the School District as we address the serious development challenges facing our community.

To do so, I support a more coordinated planning effort — including considering minimum lot sizes of 10,890 square feet in future annexations and having further conversations on concurrency — to help balance growth with infrastructure capacity and quality of life. At the same time, we must be careful not to stifle growth altogether. Striking that balance requires collaboration and trust – something that I’ve learned doesn’t come all too easy amongst government bodies.

Fortunately, we are lucky to work alongside partners like County Council Chairman Darrell Hudson, Vice Chairman Todd Cockrell, and County Councilwoman Beth Carrigg — as well as School Board Members Kathy Henson, McKenzie Flashnick, and Nicholas Pizzuti — all of whom care deeply about Lexington and openly acknowledge growth and planning decisions do not stop at municipal boundaries. By working together across Town, County, and School District leadership, we can plan responsibly and ensure that the decisions we make today serves our community well into the future.

Separate from development — but closely related in the minds of many residents — is traffic.

Traffic remains one of the top concerns I hear across our community. While our Town staff has done an excellent job utilizing the resources available to us to make meaningful strides in addressing congestion, the reality is that long-term traffic solutions require investments that go beyond what the Town can fund on its own.

That is why I am helping lead the charge for a substantial investment in infrastructure in this year’s State Budget. Working alongside Representative Paula Rawl Calhoon and Senator Carlisle Kennedy, I have met with nearly a dozen State House members to advocate for bringing these critical road dollars home to Lexington.

These efforts are grounded in the careful preparation and technical expertise of our Town Engineer, Randy Edwards, whose work has positioned Lexington strongly in these discussions. Securing meaningful infrastructure funding requires coordination, persistence, and partnership — and I’ll keep working every day to bring these dollars back home to our community.

In addition to growth and infrastructure, fiscal discipline and transparency remain core priorities. Every dollar spent belongs to the taxpayers. I will continue to review budgets carefully, advocate for responsible spending, and push for clear communication about how and why decisions are made. Transparency builds trust — and trust is essential in local government.

Community engagement is equally important. Lexington is strong because its citizens care. In the coming months, I will be launching additional efforts to better engage residents and bring more transparency to local government. This will include expanded digital updates, more opportunities for direct feedback, and new ways for citizens to stay informed about issues before Council — not after decisions are made.

Good governance does not happen behind closed doors. It happens when citizens are informed and involved.

Serving on Town Council has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I do not take it lightly. Every vote I cast, every question I ask, and every position I take is guided by one question: Is this in the best long-term interest of the citizens of Lexington?

Three years ago, I ran on a promise to bring energy, engagement, and accountability to Town Hall. I believe we have made meaningful progress — but there is still work to do.

I will continue to ask questions. I will continue to show up. I will continue to speak up on behalf of our citizens. And I will continue to approach this role with humility — knowing none of us has all the answers — but with confidence in the responsibility entrusted to me.

Lexington deserves leaders who listen, who collaborate, and who are willing to do the hard work.

Three years in, I’m more committed to that than ever before, and believe as always – the best is yet to come.

Gavin J. Smith is a Town Councilmember in the Town of Lexington. He was first elected during the May 2023 Special Election, and was most recently re-elected to his first full, four-year term on Lexington Town Council during the November 2025 General Election.