Letter: Hastie's background would make him capable mayor for Sumter

It gives me great pleasure to support my good friend Pastor Calvin Hastie for the office of mayor for Sumter. Calvin and I met at a men's Bible study at the YMCA and became instant friends. Over the years as I became more acquainted with Calvin, I was amazed at all of his accomplishments. Calvin was an athlete for South Carolina State University, where he lettered four times in track. He was also a member of ROTC and the Omega Phi Psi Fraternity. Upon graduation in 1972, Calvin entered the United States Army as a second lieutenant. During his years of service to his country, he served at West Point, NATO Headquarters in Germany, Fort Stewart, Georgia, on the staff of Gen. Norman Schwartzcoff and at the Pentagon on the staff of Gen. Colin Powell. Following retirement as a lieutenant colonel from the United States Army, Calvin entered the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1993, and, upon graduation in 1996, he worked for South Carolina Electric and Gas for 10 years as a corporate attorney in the area of contract law.

Other accomplishments include Sumter's Favorite Son award, Airborne and Ranger badges, the Army Commendation, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Foreign Service Meritorious Medal and the Legion of Merit Medal.

In 2010, Calvin was elected to serve on the Sumter County Council, and in October of 2012, he was selected as South Carolina's Public Defender of the Year. Calvin is an ordained minister of the Gospel and serves as the pastor of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church. He is also in the process of completing his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covington Theological Seminary.

Calvin is the owner of the Hastie Law Firm in Sumter, and his favorite Scripture is Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

As anyone can see, Pastor Hastie's background in military service, the legal profession and a community leader undergirded with Christian character makes him a very capable leader for the office of mayor.

THE REV. DR. RONALD TAYLOR

Campus Dean for Covington Theological Seminary

Pastor of Hickory Road Baptist Church

Sumter