Hello Currituck,

   I have officially filed to be your candidate, your public servant, your voice, for county commissioner (for District 5).

   My name is Ricky 'Leigh' Reagan-Smith, please as my friends and family do, call me Leigh.  You may wonder why two last names.  I was born into the world as Ricky Reagan Jr., at the age of 5, there was a house fire in which my biological father Ricky Reagan Sr. (who was serving as a police officer in Lexington, KY), saved my life by “hurling” me out of the bedroom window, as the neighbors pulled me out of the window, my father became asphyxiated by the smoke, suffered over 30% of his body being covered in third degree burns and passed shortly at the University of Kentucky Hospital.  My mother Patricia remarried “Scott” Smith, who adopted me and the legacy of “Reagan-Smith” was established.  The name “Leigh” came from my grandfather (Papaw), as I was being born as a “breach” baby Dr. Leigh, saved my life, so Papaw dubbed me as “Leighbug” and the name “Leigh” has just stuck.

   The family and I have been in Currituck for 17 years.  My beautiful bride (Sherri) of 26 years and I have raised two awesome children through the county school system, parks & rec, Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol and various other community activities. Our son graduated from JP Knapp where he was involved in robotics. Our daughter started off at Knapp and then moved to CCHS to play volleyball. Her senior year the volleyball team won the NC State championship. It was a great experience not only for the young ladies but for the community as well. 

  Throughout this duration we have seen numerous changes and expansive growth.  As I worked full time and travelled most of my career, I just accepted what decisions of the county were made.  Did I complain, YES!  Now I have this opportunity, to do something about it and shame on me, if I don’t seize the moment to be a voice of the community, who will bring a “sense of urgency” ensuring the required and needed infrastructure for maintaining what we have and what the future brings, are in place.  I intend to bring integrity (doing the right thing, when no one is looking) and transparency when able.  From my experience of managing multi-million contracts and personnel, for the DOD (U.S. Navy), Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard) Security and the State Department (Foreign Military Sales) projects, in which it was crucial to provide successful results on time and on/ under budget.  Working in challenging environments and ever changing maintenance schedules, made you a critical and “out the box” thinker to achieve the goal of completion.  The overall plan is to be “Here to let your voice be heard.”  

   I would like to bring to your attention that each of you have a responsibility, the right and duty as a citizen of this county to ensure your voice is heard versus getting stuck with what you get.  I hope this introduction reaches you and you are blessed.  Should you have concerns and a desire to make a difference in our community, then let your voice prevail, it’s time to demonstrate and act on it with your vote.