Belinda Gergel - District 3

Belinda Gergel formally announced her candidacy for Columbia City Council on the steps of the Inn at USC this morning, framing her campaign around neighborhood protection and historic preservation.

Gergel is running for the District 3 seat along with Brian Boyer and Reed Swearingen. District 3 includes the Five Points, Shandon and parts of Two Notch Road.

Gergel spoke about how the Inn at USC is a “great example of how historic preservation and smart growth enrich and enhance a beautiful in-town neighborhood.”

“I was aware that this could be a costly and intense campaign in which my advocacy for historic preservation and neighborhood integrity might become an issue,” she said. “I was persuaded that at this critical moment in the history of our city I needed to step forward to help shape the future of our great city.”

About 50 people crowded behind Gergel as she spoke about making Columbia “a city of choice, not chance.”

Standing behind her was Bert Pooser, one of the developers of the Inn at USC, former City Councilman Luther Batiste and former state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum. All three spoke at the news conference.

Gergel also picked up an endorsement from Fred Easley, a small business owner and president of the Melrose Neighborhood Association. Easley said during his speech that he considered running for City Council but decided he agreed with Gergel and did not want to split the votes.

Developers Brian Boyer and Reed Swearingen also are running for the seat now held by Anne Sinclair. Sinclair has said she will not run in the April 1 election.

— Adam Beam

TheState