Editor:

During the past 12 years with Carol Burdette as mayor, people of Pendleton have worked together to make this a safe, quiet, friendly place for all citizens. With her quiet, unobtrusive manner, Carol has initiated many changes: streets paved, weekly garbage and recycling routes run, areas beautified, dilapidated buildings removed, unique garbage cans put around the square, a new library erected and additions to Veterans Park continued, to name a few. Town business has been affected by the recession, but in the last month two stores have opened on the square. Town Hall, with its efficient equipment and staff, has brought Pendleton into the 21st Century.

Because she receives only $500 a month, it has been necessary for Carol to continue having other employment. This and her membership on other committees have allowed her to contact many influential people, enabling her to obtain over $12 million for renovations in Pendleton.

Now we decide — do we remain a quiet, safe, friendly small town, working together for the good of all, or do we choose someone who knows only a small percentage of the people and who will bring in many businesses to change us into a small city? His claim that he will accept no salary equals no responsibility and means that he will have the ability to drop out of the office at any time. Regardless of who wins, we owe Carol a big thank you for what she and Pendleton's citizens have accomplished together.

Nell Reeves

Pendleton