James R. Riddle Sr. is running for mayor of West Pelzer. He has served as a Councilman in West Pelzer for eight years. The election will be held Nov. 7. The following information was provided by the candidate:
Back to the FUTURE
While it is true that we have no guarantees regarding the future, there will always be a future, all would be wise to make plans accordingly. This is why I am running for the office of Mayor of West Pelzer, to carry forward well-made plans from our past administration under the leadership of Mayor Blake Sanders (who is forty years my junior but is years ahead of me in many ways), thus the slogan, “Back to the FUTURE”.
I have served on the council as Mayor ProTem for the past eight years working alongside Mayor Sanders and have seen West Pelzer blossom from a struggling near-death flower into a flourishing garden of beauty and life, so to speak.
I was born in the old hospital in Pelzer, SC on October 13, 1946. My parents are Homer D. Riddle and Violet Geneva Heatherly Riddle. My youth was in Greer, SC until my family moved back to Pelzer in 1963. On January 5, 1965, I met and fell in love with Susie Rogers of Williamston, SC. In May of that year, I proposed marriage to her with the idea that she would have either a boyfriend or husband in the military given that I knew I would be drafted soon because of the war in Vietnam, thankfully she chose a husband. Sue and I were married on November 13, 1965, and I left for basic training on December 2, 1965. Sue and I have enjoyed marital bliss for fifty-eight years and have been blessed with three children, five grandchildren, and so far, five greats, and a wonderful extended family circle.
Also on January 5, 1965, I committed my life to Jesus Christ and discovered a newfound meaning and purpose for my life. During my military service, that purpose became apparent to me. Upon discharge from the Army, I became active in ministry in the church, attended a local Bible College, graduated from Central Wesleyan College with a degree in Theology, spent two years in seminary study, and served in churches as pastor, elder, and teacher, (getting a real-life education). I also worked in various aspects of the food service industry, during most of my educational and ministry activities. Sue and I retired a few years ago to operate a mobile Barbecue business, Hey Bo Sassy Sow BBQ, before retiring again in 2020.
It seems I have always been interested in politics with a focused interest since the Vietnam War. Upon my return home after my military service, I became active in local politics getting to know and supporting local candidates, serving as a poll manager, and a precinct president, while learning about party structures and policies. Because of my busy schedule, I never ran for a local office until I retired and met Blake Sanders. Blake was a West Pelzer council member when I met him. I was impressed with him, and we had similar political views. He told me he was considering running for Mayor, I told him if he did, I would run for a council seat. He became Mayor, I won a council seat and we have worked well together for the growth and progress of our town of West Pelzer. Blake has decided to pursue other opportunities, and I am running for Mayor of West Pelzer. I plan to carry on the progress we have made these past eight years. No, going back, only carrying on to the FUTURE, a progressive future for West Pelzer while also strengthening our unique family-oriented community identity. I covet your votes and look forward to our growth as a town together as friends and neighbors.
“No, going back, only looking back to recall lessons of the past, learning from them, and then on, on to the future. Vote James R. Riddle Sr. for Mayor of West Pelzer on November 7.”
