Editor:

On Nov. 10 the voters of Pendleton will have two choices as they vote for mayor. While both offer years of experience there are significant differences between the two.

Mayor Burdette has served the community as a councilperson and mayor for the past eighteen (18)+ years. Currently employed full-time and working out of town, she is also fulfilling the volunteer responsibilities of an organization requiring travel.

This leaves little time to effectively carry out responsibilities and communicate personally to address the concerns of the citizens and business community as a part-time paid mayor, the job she was elected to.

Randy Hayes has amassed a successful track record in the private sector. As a former Marine, Hayes served his country with distinction. His years in the private sector give Hayes the advantage of understanding the needs and concerns of the business community as well as those of private citizens.

Randy Hayes would be a full-time mayor available 24/7. He pledges to lead Pendleton in a new direction using the full resources of our citizens in a team effort, as well as those of Clemson University and Tri-County Technical College whose vast resources have been largely ignored in the past.

New, innovative thinking is essential to move forward in a positive direction.

The choices are “status quo” or moving ahead. We must compare the past to where we want to be in the future. The choice is clear.

Robert M. Burns

Pendleton