Letters to the Editor: published on Oct. 1

Writer clarifies which Mount Olive Baptist
Dear Editor,
Thank you so much for publishing our article this past week Re: VBS. As a correction, could you possibly announce that the church, Mount Olive Baptist, is in Nichols? There is a different Mt. Olive Baptist Church in the Mullins area and we’d like to clarify which one the article was about.
Many thanks,
Denise Elliott

Dick Elliott is a good servant
To the Editor,
In the last few days, local newspapers have published a number of letters attacking our Senator, Dick Elliott. I believe these letters are part of an organized effort from the opponent, Mr. McKown, to damage Elliott’s solid reputation. Each letter signer seems to have a direct connection to Mr. McKown’s campaign. These untruthful letters amount to little more than “mudslinging” via the pages of newspaper. The letters are a dishonest attempt to mislead voters. Fortunately, the voters of our community are far too intelligent to be fooled by Mr. McKown’s negative campaign.
To his credit, Sen. Elliott has kept his campaign positive, as he always has before. I believe Mr. McKown’s negative attacks will ultimately backfire against him. This year, voters are rejecting the negative campaigns of the past as they seek candidates who rise above politics-as-usual. Sen. Elliott has been a part of our community for a long time. He is an honest man and a man of integrity. Men like him are hard to find so we do not need to lose him.
Thank you,
Jackie Woodbury

Water Company, citizens pleased to receive grant
Dear Editor,
On behalf of MarCo Rural Water Company, its Board of Directors, and the citizens of Marion County, I thank Sen. Kent Williams for his assistance and determination in obtaining Community Development Block Grant (SDBG) funds to extend water lines to various parts of Marion County. This grant, along with the one you assisted us with last year, will help provide safe and clean drinking water to many citizens throughout the County.
Again, thank you for your assistance with these projects. Marion County is truly blessed to have a Senator who cares about the need concerns of its people.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Hooks
General Manager
MarCo Water Company

Mayor says Marion a proud City
Dear Editor,
In his recent letter to the Editor, Mr. Dale Ard of Mullins displays a crafty way with words but a badly misconstrued perception of small town government and economic development. Keeping the downtown streets clean and beautifying the downtown area is not comedy material, our efforts are of vital importance to economic growth and stability. I didn’t invent this idea it’s been a tradition in the City of Marion long before my tenure but I am proud that under my watch, we have not only continued but have enhanced the proud tradition of a clean and beautiful downtown area. We have obtained more grant money for downtown improvements than at any time in our city’s history and more grant money than any other comparable sized municipality in this area if S.C. We are in the process now of applying for over $1 million in grants, that will be funded, to continue our efforts to improve the City of Marion for all our citizens.
Economic times are tough all over this nation, many large and small businesses are being forced to close and small towns in rural areas are being hit the hardest. It’s frustrating for all of us, but the problem is universal, it’s not an isolated Marion or Mullins of South Carolina problem. Sure, we’ve lost some businesses in Mario and we are extremely concerned about that, but I am proud that during my time as Mayor of this fine city, we have attracted more jobs and more small business growth than all of the other municipalities and unincorporated areas of Marion County combined. You can see the growth for yourself, we’ve expanded our city boundaries with new businesses on Hwy. 76 corridor and you can see for yourself, we’ve store front vacancies downtown are less than any other comparable downtown in this area of S.C.
Please don’t belittle our efforts, Mr. Ard, we are working hard during difficult times not only to beautify our city but attract new small businesses into the City of Marion. Don’t blame me or the City Council or the City of Mullins for business failures and job losses that are happening all across this nation. Our small cities are working together and doing all we can with limited local resources to enhance the quality of life for you and all other citizens who choose to live here. Our deliberations may sound like cat fights at times but we are stretching our limited resources to the maximum; in the City of Marion, we have raised property taxes only 4 times in my 24 years as Mayor and each time the sole purpose of the increase was to give our loyal city employees a much deserved pay raise.
Mr. Ard, in your letter, you call me a “mistake for the people of Marion.” I’ve represented the people of Marion as their Mayor for 24 years, the majority of them have elected me and re-elected me 6 times and a majority of them want me to continue, I’ll keep working for this City, keep doing my best to make Marion a stronger, a more vibrant and, without apology, a cleaner and more beautiful City. But I’ll not sit back and let you or any other outsider unjustly criticize or mock the City of Marion or me personally without a fight on your hands. If you’ve got constructive criticism or positive ideas to improve our community you want to share, we welcome responsible input but don’t take cheap shots at the City of Marion or its elected Mayor and expect it to be taken lightly. We’re proud people here in Marion and we’re proud of our City.
Sincerely,
Bobby Gerald, Mayor