Penny Smith, a resident of Plains, met for an interview on her screen porch. Smith has been clerk of the City of Plains, and was a board member of the Better Hometown program.

When ask to share memorable aspects of President Jimmy Carter’s life, one of the characteristics that Smith referenced frequently was Carter’s ability as a peacemaker. “I felt like that was a God-given talent that he had. He used the talent, and he was successful with it.” Smith noted that Carter took a pragmatic approach to peacemaking. “He was a problem solver.”

She recounted Carter’s habit of interacting with each individual involved when solving a problem. “When we would be together in a meeting with him and trying to work out stuff he would, he would always ask you ‘what’s your opinion? What do you think?’”

Smith shared another interaction with Carter when she was City Clerk, and he was having issues with the Board of Zoning.

“He was wanting to deed a part of the property to his house-keeper.” She told how a member of the Board of Zoning had an issue with the project. “It was a modular home that she was going to put there, and it was not zoned that type of structure in the area that they were wanting to put the home at.”

Carter came to her seeking advice. “He came to me, came into City Hall one day and asked my opinion.” The former President asking her advice made an impression on her. “I’m thinking to myself, well you know, here is the former president of the United States asking me my opinion.” She gave her opinion about his willingness to reach out. “That’s how you get things done.”

Smith also shared a piece of advice Carter had given her, telling her what she should do if she ever found herself dealing with a contentious person on a board. “He said, give them a job, give them something, let them get involved.” She shared the result. “We’ve done that, and it works.”

Smith also noted the unique role food played for Carter in building connections with others, giving the meals at Camp David as an example. “They would have meetings, and then they’d break, and they would have refreshments or eat. He always seemed to think that that helped.”

She noted the result. “It just makes a difference in them being able to work together, you know, when you play together, or eat together.”

Smith told how she would often put this method to use when she wanted to make an introduction to Carter. “Anytime you wanted him to be somewhere, or you had somebody you wanted him to meet, or him to meet him, you do it over a meal.”

When asked if Smith thought Carter’s respect for each individual contributed to the support he received from so many local campaigners, she replied “yes. . .most of the people of Plains were very proud of him and wanted to support him.”

She also shared her thoughts on him nearing 100. “Well, I am just so proud and happy for him that it looks like he’s gonna to make it. He’s gonna make it till then, and he’s going to go down in history for that too.”