From the time I was elected governor of Palmetto Girls State representing Dreher High School in 1963, I had the thought that maybe I, too, could be in politics.

My interest in the political process continued into college when I worked for Sen. Strom Thurmond in Washington. Following college graduation, I worked on the Capitol Hill staff of Sen. Mark Hatfield of Oregon, where my job emphasis was on natural resources. This provided me with an excellent background for my midlife return to politics.

In 1977, my husband, Dr. Alan Brill, and I, along with our two small children, chose Northeast Columbia as our home. As our family grew — two more children — our neighborhood also grew. More homes were built, and more streets were cleared. I soon became involved in many civic and community projects and found I had the time and energy to speak out on issues that affected our neighborhood.

I volunteered at Spring Valley High School and started the school’s first fund-raising auction in 1986, later serving as president of the Spring Valley High School Education Foundation.

I filed to run for Richland County Council in 1996, when my youngest child started driving. (I guess I knew that my carpooling days were coming to an end.) My motivating factors were to have a voice in the growth issues affecting our once-quiet neighborhood, and the belief that I could make a positive difference for my community. Now, after serving two terms on Richland County Council, I am running to represent my community in the S.C. House from District 78.

I ask for your support because of my strong background of successfully working for residents and neighborhoods to give them a voice in the political process. My interests are in responsible growth, reducing the tax burden for property owners, being an advocate for senior citizens, protecting the environment and supporting neighborhood schools. As a council representative, I know the impact of unfunded mandates from the Legislature and how increasing property taxes affects senior citizens on fixed incomes.

There is a difference between me and my opponent concerning the level of commitment to our neighborhood schools and our local community.

My opponent is being publicly supported by special interest groups based in Washington and Grand Rapids, Mich.

My support comes from people who know me and have seen my level of commitment and honesty on issues that affect our daily lives here in Richland County.

I am not controlled by any special interests.

If elected, I will be a full-time representative who will work to make sure the voice of our community is heard in the Legislature. I will hold community forums and mail updates to you on issues that have an impact on you.

Your vote in the runoff election on Tuesday is important because you have the opportunity to decide if you want someone to represent you and our community, or if you want someone who is told what to say and how to act by special interest groups outside of South Carolina.

This is America. We are a democracy, and you have the right to choose.

I ask for the opportunity to serve you.

Ms. Brill’s Web site is http://www.susanbrill.com/.