Experience comes in many forms

With election day quickly approaching, I want to take this moment to encourage all of my friends, colleagues and co-workers living in the State College borough to vote for Michael Black as your next mayor. I have called the Centre Region home for more than two decades, and Black was one of the first friends I made after moving here.

During that time, I have watched him build a successful business from the ground up — a business that has taken him to other parts of the country, which has helped him develop a greater perspective of State College’s potential, but a business that he was committed to building and keeping here because of his love and appreciation for everything this community already offers. I have marveled at his ability to engage with others. He makes everyone feel welcome and listens to them with compassionate interest. He speaks from the heart but does so in a way that is respectful. He is always open to ideas that benefit everyone collectively but don’t infringe on individual values and beliefs.

Experience comes in many forms — and personally, I believe greater emphasis should be placed on the lives we lead, the things we do and the people we are as opposed to the number of meetings we’ve attended. If you’re looking for a fresh voice with tons of experience in building bridges, serving the community and leading by example, then Michael Black is your candidate for State College mayor.

This story was originally published October 12, 2017 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Experience comes in many forms."