In an effort to provide some information on myself and where I stand as a candidate looking to represent the people and histories of Mint Hill, and not dollar signs, I'd like to lay out my platform for you all.
I am a product of two families that have been in the Mint Hill area for over 150 years. Families that helped to build the infrastructure of the thriving town we live in today. My maternal Great-Great-Grandfather, Frank Kesiah, ran Steven's Mill for 45 years. He was an active member of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church and carried the John Bain Cane from 1952-1958. Frank Kesiah was genuinely dedicated to helping others better themselves and their life and worked hard to help Steven's Mill provide for the community. This character trait of helping others to help themselves has been passed down from him and is instilled in me in all actions from my business to personal life. My paternal Great-Great-Grandfather, Pleasant C. Ferguson, was a land-owner on the eastern side of Mint Hill and ran a large, thriving farm for many decades. He was a dedicated member of the Clear Creek Baptist Church congregation and employed many men in the area in an effort to help them provide for their wives and children. His cousin, Ira Ferguson, owned the store on Ferguson Rd. that is now in our Historical Society and helped to keep these men cool with cold drinks while they worked in the fields. These three men dedicated their lives to helping others, providing for their families and building a legacy of being "their brother's keeper". I am honored to have these traits, passed down by members of my family, that help to make me who I am today.
I, myself, have been in the area for 22 years. I've seen this town grow just in the past two decades from a small, laidback community to a steadily growing "family-raising-destination". It will be my duty, as your Mayor, to bring these two sides together where we can have a family-friendly town that looks to continue to build itself in the 21st century, but never forget where it came from. We have a rich, rich history in our little town - and we must ALL work to preserve it. The Mint Hill Historical Society is doing more than their share, but we're all responsible for our community!
It seems as if every time you turn on your TV or open your newspaper, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has done something to bring negative attention to the area once again. These are our children - the future of Mint Hill - and CMS can't sit the politics aside to give these kids the attention they deserve. Just before the beginning of every school year, CMS releases a "Catalog of Needs" for every school in the system. After viewing this years Catalog, I immediately contacted the school to donate my time as a volunteer. Just at Bain Elementary alone, they have needs for almost $10,000 for educational supplies not provided by the system and over 40 people to donate their time as anything from a Reading Buddy to a Field-Trip Chaperone. I'm personally pledging one day, each week, to volunteering at Bain wherever I can be of assistance. Let's all remember the quote, "It takes a whole village to raise one child." We need to break off from CMS, form our own Mint Hill School System and take control of our children's education!
The new CMC - Mint Hill is underway, and will soon be up and operating. The Bridges at Mint Hill isn't too far off the horizon. The town is growing and with that comes more transportation issues, population increases in our schools, and an increased need for economic development. I'm all for making Mint Hill the town you "Work in, Live in, & Have Fun In!", but we need to be conscious about the legislation we're passing in Town Hall and the money we have available to us that's going to help us act now to alleviate problems in the future.
Like only a few other commissioner candidates, and no mayoral candidates, I believe we need to make our town more accesible for the residents. We need more sidewalks around town, especially around our schools, parks, and downtown area. We need to eventually form a community center to host events at a discount to Mint Hill residents like the program that the Town of Matthews currently has. This will not only be entertaining for those interested, but a way to bring the town together. I urge you to get out there and meet your neighbors - this town is slowly becoming a melting-pot of ideas and backgrounds!
I'm trying to start a career in public service and I can't think of anywhere else to start but my own home town. I'd like to be your Mayor after November 6th, but I'd rather you make sure you vote for someone that is going to be there for the citizens of Mint Hill and not someone that will forget who actually put them in office....the people! Should you have any questions, please call or email me with the contact information below.
Christopher "Chris" J. Ferguson
704-264-3011
704-771-4622 cell
Ferguson4MintHill@carolina.rr.com
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