My Vision for Monroe

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Friends and neighbors.

My name is Peter Napoles, and I’m running to bring steady, common-sense leadership back to Monroe.
I believe in service before self, planning before crisis, and people before politics.

My mission isn’t just to lead Monroe — it’s to reconnect Monroe.

Because leadership isn’t about power — it’s about trust.
And trust begins when leaders owe their people the WHY behind every decision.

When citizens understand the purpose — even if they disagree — trust grows.
But when leaders hide behind a “because” after the fact, the people feel blindsided and unheard.

Monroe deserves leadership that leads with the WHY, not hides behind the because.

Let me say this clearly:
Leadership is a service role, not a platform.
The mayor and council are the service providers.
The people — you — are the stakeholders.

That means information should flow to the community, not be buried in documents or posted without context.
If people don’t know who their local leaders are, that’s not the people failing —
that’s leadership failing to communicate.

And we saw that recently.

When the ICE operations began in Monroe, most residents didn’t know what was happening, who was involved, or what it meant for their families.
That confusion wasn’t the people’s fault — it was a communication gap.
A city has a responsibility to explain major actions clearly, calmly, and respectfully — especially when they affect mixed-status families and diverse communities.”

This isn’t about politics.
It’s not about labeling Monroe one way or another.
It’s about true transparency, respect, and giving every family the WHY before decisions affect their lives.

Monroe is a diverse community —
families connected across languages, cultures, and immigration statuses.
People deserve clarity without assumptions, fear, or confusion.

That’s why, as mayor, I will hold Spanish-first community meetings, with a translator providing English —
so every family receives the information at the same time, in the same room, and no one is left behind.

And I’ll go further.

I will open the mayor’s office through weekly podcast office hours and open-forum sessions, where every resident can hear what’s happening, ask questions, and understand the WHY behind decisions from day one.

Because transparency isn’t optional —
it’s the foundation of trust.

And when it comes to your tax dollars, you deserve more than just the return on investment.
You deserve the full explanation — even when the ROI isn’t what we hoped.

If something doesn’t deliver, you deserve to know:
what happened, why it happened, and how we fix it.

That’s accountability.
That’s service.
That’s leadership.

And part of leadership is planning ahead, not reacting.

Because the truth is:

Monroe is growing fast — and with growth comes the need for clearer planning, better communication, and leadership that stays ahead of the curve.

That’s not criticism — it’s the reality of a rapidly growing city.

And with growth comes opportunity.

Part of my vision is transforming Monroe into a local IT and technology hub —
so our residents don’t have to commute to Charlotte for good careers.
We can build pathways right here:
remote-work centers, tech training, apprenticeships, startups, and partnerships that create opportunity in Monroe and keep our talent local.

And if you’re wondering where my commitment to service comes from, here it is:

When I served in the Marine Corps, I took an oath to protect this nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
And when I traded in my uniform — I didn’t trade in my oath.
I simply traded the tools.
I traded the rifle for leadership,
and I traded serving abroad for serving here at home.
My oath didn’t end — it evolved.
And that same oath drives me today to serve Monroe with the same commitment, discipline, and duty I learned in the Corps.”

This campaign is built on one belief:

When people understand the WHY, they participate.
When they participate, democracy works.
And when democracy works, the people win — no matter who becomes mayor.

I’m running as an unaffiliated candidate because the mayor’s office should serve the people — not a party.
And this election is also a test:

A test of whether the new partisan system still gives citizens a fair voice.

When you sign my petition, you’re not signing for a party —
you’re signing to test the system,
to make sure the people still have power,
and to ensure Monroe has a real choice.

And if November comes and the voters choose someone else —
but turnout rises, more communities participate, and Monroe’s voices are finally heard —
then we still win.
Because that means We the People is alive and working in Monroe.

I’m not here to climb.
I’m not here to win the next election.
I’m here to serve the people of Monroe today.

Monroe comes first.
Our people come first.
And together —
we will bring back the WHY,
restore real transparency,
deliver true opportunity,
and put leadership back where it belongs:
in the hands of the people.

Thank you.