PARRSBORO - Serving on town council would be a new experience for Robert Fancy, but serving the town and his country would not.
Born and raised in Parrsboro, the Gulf War veteran and longtime volunteer firefighter is offering his candidacy for town council in the upcoming Oct. 20 election.
The time is critical for Parrsboro, according to Fancy, who said he believes he can help the town.
"Parrsboro is at a crossroads, and we need to have strong leadership," he said. "Don't get me wrong, these are good people (on the current council), but the next four years are going to be telltale for Parrsboro, and we have to have people in there that can put 24/7 into it. I believe I do."
The town needs a strong infrastructure to attract new business to the area, and it needs to show its residents that they are getting results for their tax dollars, according to Fancy.
He said honesty is also needed regarding past failures. While he did not blame the mayor for the promised nursing home that never happened, he said the town should have offered a better explanation to its people, as it had been a high profile topic in the 2008 election.
"Instead of telling the town what happened, they just let it fester," he said. "There's no communication between town hall and the residents and businesses of Parrsboro... there's such a disconnect. Nobody seems to want to work with each other, and I'm good at that. I'm good at bringing people together."
Fancy said he would like to see Parrsboro promote itself and its assets better, and pride brought back to those who live here.
"I think the town of Parrsboro has to be run as a business," he said. "You have to be able to go to town hall a few hours every day. My strong suit is I'm a good listener, and a great negotiator. I can negotiate with just about anyone, and Im not scared to take on the big projects."
Fancy is one of eight candidates vying for the four seats on council. Also on the ballot are Betty Atkinson, David Harrison, Ron Shaw, Lloyd Smith, Lisa Ward and Lyle Yorke.
