This month I’m Voting Early for an extraordinary candidate.
When a man leaves his hometown to fulfill his professional potential, then brings his family back here and volunteers to serve on his town’s City Council — voters must give him that chance.
Dean Lytle has specific goals. For example, he’s ready to help make housing a reality for those who can’t afford it in our inflated market. To him, this isn’t just a slogan. He met and talked with local people in need. He says,
The lack of density housing is related to the job market. … We have to go forward together and care for one another. With awareness and a shared sense of urgency, we must take bold steps.
Dean is not the first in his family to volunteer for community action.
Dean’s grandmother, Selena Robinson, and her brother Nathaniel Hall helped found the Transylvania Citizens Improvement Organization in 1960.
TCIO promoted civic, educational, political and economic opportunities for African American citizens by fighting racial discrimination in both private and public institutions, and by building coalitions with white citizens.
The accomplishments of TCIO included integrating the Camp Strauss Cookout for Olin employees, Transylvania Community Hospital, and the Brevard Public Housing Authority. They also established education scholarships for local African American youth.
In 1954 the U. S. Supreme Court called for nation-wide school desegregation. However, by 1962, TCIO had to ask the Board of Education to comply. When the Board refused full compliance, TCIO took their case to Federal Court in Asheville where Selena Robinson, among others, testified.
In the end,
Judge Warlick ordered the Transylvania County Board of Education to integrate the entire African American student body into the Senior and Junior High School System.
Much later, Selena’s grandson Dean Lytle graduated from Brevard High. He went on to continue his education through a Notre Dame football scholarship.
He also ran track. In fact,
he entered college as the North Carolina State champion in both the 100 and 200 meters—undefeated in the latter. Lytle was one of the fastest players on the fastest team in Notre Dame history. He was also the tallest member of the Irish running backs corps.
Dean has said,
Track was an amazing experience at Notre Dame. It kept me engaged; it gave me a little bit of early success. It’s all about me there, right? There’s no first and second string. It kept me grounded, kept me focused, and kept me positive in terms of playing time.
I’ve heard Dean Lytle speak, and I know he respects teamwork and applies those values to his life in the community and to his work. He has supported youth and taught leadership. He believes,
Our strength is in how we support our neighbors. … My leadership style is people first, grounded in my background as both a professional athlete and an executive: competitive, resilient, and focused on helping teams win.
I’m asking you to dream with me. Every voice matters.
When a man like this offers four years to his hometown, you give him that chance. Early voting in Brevard, NC, starts October 16.
Thank you Deda for this and all your letters. I wish i could vote in Transylvania County on October 18, but i don’t live there.
Barbara Lanwermeyer
There is so much talent in Brevard! I, too, no longer live in Brevard, but would vote for Dean Lytle in a heartbeat if I did! Thanks for posting this, because all of us are grateful to see people of such quality run for--and hopefully win--public offices. It makes our system stronger wherever we live!