LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Wukela’s candidacy good for Florence

I want to praise Stephen Wukela for getting involved in politics in Florence.

I’m glad that he and his wife chose to live and raise their children in Florence. Having taught Stephen some years ago in high school, I believe he is a fine young man who has the character and leadership skills needed to make Florence a better city.

There is a need for the younger generation to display courage and skill by running for office and demonstrate the willingness to serve their communities through elective office.

We are fortunate to have many young people who were educated here and who have returned to make their homes in Florence.

Their leadership and participation in city and county politics is what we need, and I hope many more will seek public office in the future.

While everyone can’t run for office, all of us can participate in the political process by casting a vote.

To paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech: “It is not the critic who counts or the man who points a finger at others and criticizes, but credit should go to the man who is actually in the arena, … and who strives to do the deeds…who dares greatly … So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.”

Laura W. Purvis
Florence