March 18, 2008, Gates County...The Last Day...In June when we started planning the Fred Smith 100 County Extra Effort BBQ Tour, there were skeptics in the room who said it couldn't be done. Those people have come to realize that Fred Smith has a true entrepreneurial spirit for everything he does. If you do anything the same old way, you get the same old result. So why not bring some new thinking to a campaign. It worked for Jesse Helms in his first campaign; why not take a lesson? So here we were headed to Tarheel BBQ located on Route 13 in Eure, NC. The room was set for 40 which would have been a good crowd. When our numbers surpassed 60 the room was SRO - standing room only. Fred knew that a local issue is the OLF - outlying landing field that the US Navy is trying to place on the southeastern seaboard. On the surface one would welcome a military facility but the environmental issues compared to the economic benefit for North Carolina are not equal. Virginia would reap all those benefits. So Fred, who never shies away from a problem, asked the local folk to update him and share their opinions. Clearly they are opposed to it indicating that the number of businesses that would close up because of eminent domain would mean a loss of jobs to this poor county. The Democrats videotaped it all and this week a local received a letter from Beverly Purdue stating that she is in favor of the OLF. I'd bet you hear a different spin after the Democrats view Fred's comments. Fred, a former Army captain, supports the military and believes they need installations. However, there are places in North Carolina that have been offered to the Navy that would be better suited for the project that would all have less negative impact on residents and the environment. Fred's habit is to explore all the possibilities looking for the option with the greatest benefit for everyone; the win-win. By the way, we did eat breakfast and there was a bowl of BBQ for those who wanted it (about a dozen). Fred enjoyed some on his plate and then presented his vision for North Carolina. The Republicans, Independents and Democrats in the room were enthusiastic and I see Gates County delivering a positive result for Fred Smith. Thanks.