Who's For Belinda
"Belinda Gergel displays the integrity and understanding to be a wonderful addition to our City Council. As important as her intelligence and character is her commitment to serve Columbia's citizens. We need her vision and leadership to grow our urban community into a unique place to live and do business."
Barbara Rackes - Forest Hills neighborhood
"I first met Belinda in 1995 when I had the great pleasure to work with the Gergels on a publishing project. On that project I had my first exposure to Belinda's incredible energy, directness, enthusiasm and sharp attention to detail she brings to anything she takes on. Since then, we have crossed paths as community activists and share a love of our city, it's vibrant neighborhoods and the diversity of people who call Columbia home. Before and during her campaign, Belinda has spent a remarkable amount of time listening and researching specific issues facing the constituents of District 3 as well as those factors that will shape Columbia for decades to come, affecting long-term livability and the local economy. Voters won't find a candidate who is more dedicated, better informed or as prepared to tackle complex issues for Columbia's citizens.Belinda is in a unique position to serve without career-related conflicts of interest and brings her full attention and experience to the job. I am proud to support Belinda and know she will work hard for my neigborhood, Rosewood, and all of Columbia." Rebecca Munnerlyn - Rosewood Neighborhood
"I admire the drive and enthusiasm that Belinda has exemplified in her efforts to identify ways to improve our great city. She is compassionate, and dedicated to the communities and its residents and making our city a better place to live and work." Bessie Watson, President of the Edisto Court Neighborhood
"We moved to Columbia recently and want to see the city develop intelligently and without losing its historic character. Belinda Gergel is just the kind of public servant Columbia needs." Don Doyle - Shandon Neighborhood
"Belinda is exactly the kind of person we need on our city council today. She is fearless and faithful to her word. She is a great communicator and a good listener. We can count on her character and her conscience. She does her homework and knows what she is talking about. Finally, she is beholden to no one." Cynthia Gilliam - Shandon Neighborhood
"For years, Belinda has shown her commitment to making Columbia a better place to live. Her work with Historic Columbia is one example. Her teaching career at Columbia College is another. That consistency of commitment tells us that she will be a hard-working and enlightened representative of citizen's concerns. The city is reshaping itself, thanks to USC's growth as well as long-term efforts in the Vista and along north Main Street. We need keen eyes and minds ensuring these changes benefit all, rather than a tiny segment of our residents." Claudia Smith - Old Shandon Neighborhood
"When Anne Sinclair announced she would not run again, I announced that I was looking hard at a run for her seat. As many of you know, I have been very concerned with the direction that City Council had been moving in the recent years. At that time I also said I would let everyone know as soon as I made a decision on whether I would run or not run.
I have decided not to run for Council District Seat 3 (Anne Sinclair's Seat). I have instead decided instead to endorse Belinda Gergel.
I had spoken with Belinda right when Anne announced her decision not to run again, and that's when I found out Belinda and I both were considering a run for this seat. At that time, we both recognized the importance of this race for the future of our city. Our city is at a crossroad, with special interests trying to lead the city in a direction that will allow them to make the most money, while others like myself and Belinda are concerned with smart and consistent growth that protects the integrity and character of our city.
Belinda and I share the same views on the strategic growth of our city, the protection of our historic neighborhoods and character, and the quality of life issues I consider paramount to the positive future growth of our city. We agree, I might add, on many other points as well.
As such, I see no reason to split the vote by creating another candidacy with almost exactly the same platform. It is much more important to unite our voices behind one candidate and keep our eyes on the ball! We must maintain this seat on council to maintain the balance between unchecked growth and strategic growth.
I would ask that if you had intended to vote for me, please consider Belinda as your candidate.
Thank you for making Melrose a great place to live and play!" Fred Easley - President of Melrose Neighborhood Association
"It is my pleasure to speak on behalf of my friend of more than 25 years and hopefully very soon my representative on Columbia City Council. I served on Columbia City Council as the District 1 Council member from 1983 to 1998. I now have a unique view as an insider and outsider. These are challenging times for the City of Columbia that require exceptional leadership. Belinda Gergel is the exceptional leader that we need for Columbia now. District 3 needs a leader who will be concerned about the unique issues of the district. A person who has the time and energy to devote to solving constituent problems.
Belinda Gergel has the compassion and commitment to serve those needs. It is equally important to have a leader who is willing to not only be concerned about the needs of the district, but a person who has a vision for the City of Columbia as a whole. Belinda Gergel is a person of great intellect who is not only a great thinker but, a great listener as well. Belinda is a person of great vision who understands that we must challenge ourselves to make Columbia a better place. Belinda believes as many of us do that neighborhoods are important. We cannot have a great City unless we preserve what makes our neighborhoods liveable. She understands that historic preservation is important to making a city unique.
It is rare that we get truly proven leaders that have made a difference offer for public office. We have a chance in Columbia to elect a person really special who will represent special people not special interests. I hope you join me in supporting Belinda Gergel for Columbia City Council." Luther Battiste - Attorney and Former Memeber of Columbia City Council
"Belinda means progress. She 'connects the dots' from Columbia's
vibrant cultural and creative life, to new and historic neighborhoods,
to faith communities making a difference, to public safety and basic
services, to our great higher education community, to the vital quality
of our K-12 schools, to the development of downtown, and how all these
contribute to our economic future and the quality of life we share.
Belinda is all about people. She cares. She values our rich
differences. She is passionate about helping those in need and lifting
the human spirit and condition. She thinks deeply with profound
creativity. She is a problem solver of high energy and she dreams of
Columbia at its best." Steve Morrison - Attorney - Nelson Mullins
"Belinda has a combination of intelligence, maturity and temperament that is all too rare in public life today. She'll be a great asset to the entire City of Columbia, not just her district." Luther J. Battiste, III
"Belinda is extremely intelligent, very compassionate and attentive
to detail. She's a great leader, and will be a great City Council
member for Columbia." Bill Dufford
"Belinda loves Columbia and knows Columbia, viewing the patchwork of its beauty and charm. She values our vibrant neighborhoods, our diverse populations and our businesses, big and small. She wants to enrich and strengthen each piece of this puzzle to make this city an attractive place to learn, to work and to live. I am amazed by her energy." Pat Patterson - Realtor and Small Business Owner
"As an architect and a City Center property owner, I particularly appreciate Belinda's commitment to quality growth and the responsibility we have as a community to ensure it. She clearly understands how critical this is for Columbia's ability to compete regionally and enjoy true long-term economic prosperity." Tom Savory - Architect - Watson Tate and Savory
"Belinda is a very caring individual, and has demonstrated genuine interest in Columbia's communities, and giving each one a voice. She's fiscally responsible, puts a huge priority on education, and she's going to be an excellent City Council member." Brenda Oliver - President - Pinehurst Community Neighborhood Council
"I can't think of any candidate in recent
years more qualified than Belinda by virtue of her strong education
background, her involvement in neighborhood issues, as well as her
broad knowledge of the City of Columbia." Tom McLean - Retired Newspaper Editor - Resident, Wales Garden Neighborhood
"From a business perspective, I support
Belinda Gergel because I believe she will bring a very balanced and
thoughtful approach to growth and the quality of life in Columbia." Steven Anastasion - Co-Manager - Baker and Baker Real Estate Developers
"We support Belinda Gergel in her campaign for a seat on city council because she is very much concerned about the quality of life in our neighborhoods and is at the same time a fiscally responsible person who will be careful with city funds." Thomas R. Gottshall, Esquire - Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.