I come to Winnsboro with a legacy of community service and longstanding tradition. The Sutherlands have a long history in town beginning with matriarch Mary Cliffie Cox Sutherland who raised 12 children over on Peach Street with her husband Carl, the local mail carrier. My mother-in-law Billie Ruth Sutherland and her best friend Carolyn Jones, served on the city council together for years, and during those years my family visited for vacations and holidays.

As Winnsboro has been a part of my life for many years, it’s only natural that when I moved here in 2014, I began to make myself a part of Winnsboro life. Starting with finding a spiritual home at Grace Fellowship, and continuing by volunteering, I began to understand the flavor and heart-beat of Winnsboro and to look for ways to give to and participate in our city’s generous spirit. What skills do I bring with me?

First, my education and experience in Business Administration gives me a solid background in finance and commerce that opens my eyes to ways businesses can contribute and solidify our community culture. In turn, we owe them the loyalty of patronizing our businesses when we can. Our sales tax revenue plays a major role funding our city government. Second, my decades of volunteering in schools, church, and community organizations sparks ideas to creatively inspire the neighborly spirit that is so preciously Winnsboro. I also have a knack for finding common ground and inspiring cooperation, a real asset in making city government work. Finally, I have a strong penchant for getting the most for my money. I’m thrifty. My mother gave me what could be described as an obsession for getting my money’s worth. Surely thriftiness is a strong qualification for elected office these days, isn’t it?

More specifically I have attended and participated in all sorts of City meetings over the last two years and have a good idea of the skills and time required to fulfill the requirements of a council alderman. I’m also friendly with current council members and city administrators through my role as a member of the Main Street Board. These positive and cordial relationships are essential part of being an effective representative.

 I also have a heart for the future of our city. Our young people, students especially, are uniquely gifted to foster and grow our community. We all have a role to play in inspiring their participation. All skills and talents are valuable when joined for the purpose of building community. In the spring of 2023, over 100 people complained on Facebook about the state of our Bowery, which had been neglected over the course of months. Weeds grew, people complained that something should be done! I organized a team of volunteer citizens to start by weeding the flower beds. We dubbed ourselves the “Bloom Team”, and our objective was to improve the appearance of the Bowery, because its appearance reflects us as citizens of Winnsboro. In blistering heat, we succeeded in the immediate cleanup. One of our volunteers solicited plans for a more eco-friendly and self-sustaining planting plan for the Bowery. The city agreed and implemented our approach. This is just a small example of what can happen when citizens organize to improve, rather than gather to complain. It is in this spirit of neighborliness that I am running to represent you on the Winnsboro City Council. Please vote for me, Carol Sutherland, on Saturday May 2nd.