On Being Mayor of Canton, NC with Zeb Smathers

Homegrown Mayor Zeb Smathers loves tending to his backyard in Canton, North Carolina. Before assuming office, he started as a community advocate at his family-run legal practice, Smathers & Smathers. Since 2013, he's represented Canton through numerous challenges, including a global pandemic, economic transition, and, more recently, Hurricane Helene. As we enter another hurricane season, we're sitting down with Mayor Zeb to find out what animates him, and how he’s learned to “GSD” (get shit done) in small town North Carolina. He shares his thoughts about why hopelessness is one of the greatest dangers to our democracy, and where he spots the greatest displays of courage, decency, and respect.