GREENWOOD INDEX-JOURNAL:

With election day looming, political candidates are taking advantage of every last opportunity to meet with the public and the leaders in their areas.

On Friday, the Greenwood Chamber offered Greenwood-area candidates such an opportunity.

The Chamber hosted a candidate meet-and-greet Friday morning in the auditorium at Greenwood County Library. Candidates in attendance included:

-Greenwood County Council District 2 — Mark Allison (R) and Bobbie Hansen (write-in).

-Third Congressional District— Jane Dyer (D), Jeff Duncan (R) and John Dalen (Constitution).

-S.C. House District 12 — Jennings McAbee (R).

-S.C. House District 13 —Michael Gaskin (D) and Gene Pinson

-S.C. House District 14 — Mike Pitts (R) and a representative for Dan Curry (Libertarian).

-Greenwood County Probate — Travis Moore (D) and Robert Cone (R).

Jeff Smith, director of small business and communications for the Greenwood Chamber, said the Chamber wanted to give local residents a chance to meet as many of the local candidates as possible in one location.

“This was a chance, in an unstructured format, to let any of the candidates come meet the public, shake hands and maybe give the constituency a little time, one-on-one, to ask questions about issues,” Smith said.

As she mingled with guests and fellow candidates, Dyer said the relationship between elected officials and their local chambers of commerce are vital.

“I think it is the most important relationship we’ve got going,” Dyer said. “As I have said this whole time, we’ve got to get jobs, jobs, jobs and put people back to work. We are in such a serious state that we have to have all of our elected officials, all our business leaders, all our community leaders working together to bring whatever jobs we can to our area.”

Duncan, who owns an auction firm and real estate company, said he is very familiar with the role chambers of commerce play in local leadership.

“As a former chamber board member in Laurens and a chamber member over there, and as a small business owner, I understand what the chamber does,” Duncan said. “I understand it is important for them to know what their government is doing and for them to have a good relation- ship with their Congressman. I look forward to keeping that relationship open.”

By Chris Trainor, reporter

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