Legislator Q&A: Connecting the Dots of high school, college, or grad school. I learn something every day. I learn from these people out here. These folks come from myriad backgrounds and to be able to have opportunities to learn about their backgrounds—some former nurses, doctors, lawyers. They give me advice and I listen intently because you never know. Some bill might come up and you say, “Oh, I remember having a conversation with Judy, she’s a nurse, let me pick up the phone and get some feedback from her.” It’s a win-win situation. What do you think is the effect when there isn’t that communication between the local level and the state legislature? JR: I think you’re in a failed community. I think the community is doomed to fail. Then all of a sudden you see relaxed policies that could have a negative impact on a community, and it no longer becomes a desirable place to live. And I can tell you, as local government, when there was an issue with a developer, we would hear from the citizens… You have to look at the long-term impacts and effects… Those are things that I have dealt with as an elected official, and I’ve been able to pick up the phone and seek advice from my representatives… “We have this homeowner who is having this issue. How do we get this person some help?” Those types of relationships are important. If it’s not taking place, I think you’re setting the community up to fail, and you won’t see the community advancing like other communities. Elected office, maintaining healthy communication, pursuing issues to resolve—it can be a lot of work. How do you unplug and enjoy yourself? JR: Pickleball, tennis. I’ve been playing tennis for 48 years. I still play tennis. It’s easy for me to get out here and play pickleball. I get out every morning around 6:15. And before going downtown, I get out and there’s a gentleman, he and I have been playing probably for the past four or five years. We get up religiously, first thing in the morning. That helps to decompress me. And a lot of folks, when I go downtown, I see folks, they seem like they’re stressed out—I had this rabbi come up to me and say, “You always seem positive.” Well, I’m truly blessed. I’ve worked at the largest community college in the state of North Carolina. I’ve worked at what has been deemed twice the fastest-growing municipality in the state of North Carolina. Where there was nothing but vegetation, you see this urban-like community, mixed development taking place. And I’ve been a part of that. And so now I’m in state government, helping to realize opportunities for my constituents and other North Carolinians. That gives me that drive, that push. If I did not, or I felt like I was just burned out from this, I promised my wife a long time ago that I’d step away… But my wife says that as long as I’m enjoying this—which I am—I’m not saying it doesn’t get frustrating—however, this is my outlet. I’m able to come out here, laugh, do some trashing talking—because I think I’m the Michael Jordan of pickleball—and fellowship. I mean, look at these people (playing on the courts)! They’re just having a ball! This is what completes me. And, more importantly, I have conversations with others. If I feel like I’m getting stressed out, I have conversations with my wife, I have conversations with my friends… This is what helps, and this is what keeps me going. It is my hope and prayer that we can continue, through all the stuff that’s going on, that we will find a way to work with one another on a bipartisan basis for our constituents. It’s not about us. This position is not about me. I’m so thankful I was in an area that really contributed to student successes. So, I’m able to go out as a legislator now and talk about how we’ve been able to help folks realize the American Dream. NCLM.ORG 17
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