05/26/2026
Over the last few weeks, SaludaLATER has stayed independent while covering the conversations, concerns, debates, and noise surrounding this election.
We’ve caught heat from both sides, and honestly, that’s probably how it should be when you’re trying to report things fairly in a small town.
One thing that has continued to bother us though is the increasing trend of mixing religion, church influence, and political pressure together in an attempt to sway public opinion. As someone who is deeply religious myself, who believes in faith, family, and church, that line just doesn’t sit right with me personally.
People are absolutely entitled to support whoever they want. That’s America. But when organizations and groups become openly vocal about “their candidate” while attempting to morally position one side above another, it changes the tone of things quickly.
I warned one candidate privately that maintaining loyalty to certain circles and influences could turn ugly faster than it would help. That warning wasn’t personal, it was observational.
From day one, SaludaLATER said we would remain independent, and that has not changed.
After a lot of conversations, research, and looking past personalities and emotions, one thing has become clear to us: people need to focus less on who makes them feel good online and more on what has actually been accomplished.
In just a few short years, we’ve seen movement on projects that had sat stagnant for years. The animal shelter/unit is up and operational. The detention center project is nearing completion. A new EMS headquarters is open. Infrastructure has expanded in the commerce park to attract future business and economic growth. The county comprehensive plan has been updated. Major discussions about future fire stations, EMS improvements, recreation facilities, and sheriff’s office expansion are already underway through another proposed CPST initiative.
That doesn’t mean everyone has to agree with every decision made. Healthy disagreement is part of democracy. But accomplishments and measurable movement matter.
On the flip side, screaming “transparency” means very little if there’s never actual transparency when citizens ask difficult questions or ask for clarification about public concerns. If you ask the public to trust you, then the public deserves real answers, not silence, avoidance, or vague responses and being blocked when you aren’t agreed with when controversy appears.
No candidate is perfect. No administration is perfect. But leadership is more than slogans, social media support, or emotional reactions.
At the end of the day, this page will continue supporting what we believe moves Saluda County forward, regardless of pressure, politics, friendships, or public opinion.
Do your own research.
Ask hard questions.
Think independently.
Then vote for who YOU believe gives Saluda County the best future while protecting the rural community we all love.
