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10 Days Remaining - Election Excitement Builds!
March 20, 2008
Some of you may have seen my recent campaign ad on television. While I regret that the race for the District 3 City Council seat has resulted in the need for this expense, there has been a lovely, unintended consequence of the ad that I want to share with you.In the TV spot, I reference my long career as an educator and show an old photograph of me with two young students from several decades back. This past Wednesday I had a special email from someone who saw the ad. He wrote:
"Dear Belinda, unfortunately I'm not able to cast a vote for you
because I am not in your district, but the reason I'm contacting you is because
of the picture of you with the young students at Hanberry Jr. High. I am one of
the kids in the picture, the one on the left with the big Afro and smiling. Is
there any way that I could get the picture emailed to me? Good Luck and God
Bless You in your campaign for city council. I have also requested a bumper
sticker to show my support. Once again, thanks for the memories." Every teacher relishes the opportunity to stay in contact with former students, and I am thrilled with this chance to reconnect. This special email was a poignant reminder of the great excitement and awe I felt about making a contribution as a young, Columbia College student teacher in 1972.
Guess what? I feel the same sense of excitement and anticipation now as we enter the final days of this campaign for City Council. Please know that I welcome the opportunity to work with you and others to build a great, 21st century city and deeply appreciate your continued interest and support in this race!
Sincerely,
Belinda Gergel
P.S. Be sure that you have marked Election Day, April 1st, on your calendar. If you have any reason to think that you might not be able to vote on Election Day, please consider "early voting" now and next week at the Richland County Voter Registration Office at the corner of Harden and Hampton Street.