This is the time of year when being thankful and giving thanks is celebrated across our great country. Regardless of your political persuasion, ethnicity, or religious background, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks for all our blessings and for the favor we live in every day living in America and specifically Woodruff, SC.
I will gladly take this opportunity to openly express my thanks and appreciation to the following entities:
First to Almighty God who saved and redeemed my life and healed me through multiple bouts with cancer to allow me to be here to serve as mayor of our growing and prospering city.
That too is a blessing of knowing him and in his strength we will continue to thrive and enjoy a rejuvenated economy and growth that has been a long time in returning to us.
Second to my beautiful wife, Sharon, for her unfathomable love and patience with a headstrong and outspoken yet loving and caring husband, and to our two wonderful daughters, Tiffany and Brantley, who have kept me young at heart even if the scales of time have tipped a little to the high side.
My girls are my pride and joy, and their love for God and for people show in their open expressions of faith through their voices. Beautiful and soothing tones of praise as well as any other type of music are their expressions of the talent given them of the Lord.
Third would be the church and work families who have adopted me and mine into their lives and work and who give me to lend my best gift to them in the form of “encouragement” which I see as one of my giftings as well.
Leadership and insight give the opportunity to share success and execute a plan through difficulty and seemingly impossible situations. Lee and the three amigos in city hall along with the rest of the wild bunch that comprise street, sewer, parks, police and fire departments have made being mayor a blast for which I am quite grateful.
The Woodruff Church of God family has come alongside for me and my family over and over, and several of the non-profits for which I have worked remind me that giving of your time and talent is the most rewarding thing we can do. Sharing with others, even a simple smile and laughter, brings joy for which I again say “thanks”.
Lastly, and because there are too many to mention by name, are the people of Woodruff who gave this opportunity to me twice. 2008 – 2012 ended with a crushing diagnosis followed by the miracle of healing and the renewed opportunity in 2016 through the current election coming up on Nov. 5.
The second diagnosis of cancer was in 2018 and again the Good Lord stepped in and washed it away and I am cancer free again.
From the Burger King ladies to the rowdy conversationalists at New Friends, I have met some of the most wonderful people and built relationships that will last for a lifetime.
Now don’t read between the lines and think of this message as anything other than the opportunity to express a heart of appreciation. I am fired up and ready for the election running against Mr. Gist, who also has served this community for a long time.
Whatever happens; and I hope I win, Woodruff has turned the corner on a renewed prosperity. We can continue to grow and prosper TOGETHER!!!
Mayor Brad Burnett
