Letter: Blassingame has experience helping residents of Sumter

Posted

I am writing today to express my support for the Rev. James Blassingame for the Sumter City Council Ward 2 seat. He has always been interested and involved in matters relating to our community's problems and needs, and his willingness to examine the issues and listen closely to the public's questions and concerns sets him apart from the other candidates. As a minister and private citizen, he has been actively involved in bringing positive change to our community by serving on numerous boards, councils and commissions. Working closely with elected officials, Rev. Blassingame has helped to impact the lives of residents, not only Ward 2, but the entire City of Sumter.

I've known Rev. Blassingame for more than 30 years and have had the opportunity to observe his honest, pragmatic and skillful approach to every situation he encounters. We worked together for more than 15 years to provide in-home and community-based services for senior citizens in Sumter and Williamsburg counties, and during my tenure as executive director of Sumter Senior Services, he served for six years as chair of the board of directors.

Working with him as a co-worker, a mentor, a boss and a friend, he has consistently provided invaluable insight and leadership wherever and whenever needed. He is well-known in the Sumter community, he is dedicated, he is honest, he is hard-working, and he is eminently qualified for the job of city councilman.

I urge each of you to vote for the Rev. James Blassingame to represent Ward 2 on Sumter City Council.

SHIRLEY G. BAKER

Sumter