To the editor:

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves”

I don’t know about you, but election campaigns based on running down the other guy, just don’t resonate with me.

This year, in addition to the mud-slinging at the national level, it seems to have filtered down to our local race for County Commissioner.

I winced when I saw those negative full-page ads in violation of GOD’s word.

Having worked with Renee McDermott, as a fellow Board member serving the Pacolet Area Conservancy, I came to respect her for her hard work and gentleness in dealing with the public in the interest of conserving land for future generations.

Later, while serving on the County Planning Board, we recruited Renee for work on well water conservation during a serious drought.

She brought many good suggestions to the table during committee meetings, again in the interest of others.

Currently, serving on the Polk Appearance Commission, I have had the good fortune to be working once again in the public interest with Renee.  She has displayed strength of integrity and character.

Her ideas are not self-serving, but she displays “humility” by valuing the opinion of others, while standing by her core principles.

Why do we find it necessary to malign others in the quest of “selfish ambition”?  You tell me!

– Burt Baer, Tryon