With the desire to gain a small town perspective on the presidential election, reporters from the British Broadcasting Company's World Service Division in Washington, D.C. paid a visit to Elloree this weekend to cover Saturday's Democratic primary.

Jamie Coomarasamy, BBC World Service reporter, and his technical advisor Mike Innis, said they chose to focus on the Democratic primary here in Elloree for a number of reasons. They noted that there is a growing awareness in the media that members in rural areas are looking at elections in a different way than those living in large cities, and that means reporters must branch out to get a good balance of perspectives.

"People in small towns have a different perspective on elections, because they are affected differently in terms of the economy and their way of life," Coomarasamy said.

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They looked throughout the state and made Elloree their small town choice primarily because of the racial make-up of the voters. They said Elloree is one of the few truly balanced precincts in the state, with an almost even black to white voter ratio, allowing them to get a truly balanced small town perspective.

Coomarasamy and Innis arrived in Elloree on Thursday, making the Elloree Bed and Breakfast their temporary home and headquarters. Jack and Cindy Lane, the Elloree Bed and Breakfast's innkeepers, were excited to have the two international visitors, and worked hard to assist them with interviews, taping sessions, and tours of the community.

"Having them here has been a great experience for us," said Cindy Lane. "What they are doing is good for the people of our community and can really help put Elloree on the map."

The reporters were up early Friday morning, meeting with Mayor Van Stickles and his staff at the town hall and chatting with residents at the post office. They chatted with Jim Ulmer, an Elloree resident and former co-owner of the Elloree Gin Company, before setting up a live broadcast at South Carolina Bank and Trust.

Coomarasamy and Innis spent the day out and about in town, visiting with residents and business owners, including Ronnie Sikes of the Elloree Square Antique Mall, before retiring back to the bed and breakfast to gear up for a busy Saturday.

They were back on the street again Saturday morning, visiting the polls and taking a tour of the town with Dr. Bob Holman, who the pair deemed a "local celebrity."

They came back to the bed and breakfast after that, only to find themselves on the opposite side of the camera when Elloree Police Chief Preston Avinger videotaped them talking about their experience in Elloree and the people that they met.

"We have really enjoyed our visit here," Innis said. "We have made some great contacts."

While discussing their visit, Coomarasamy noted that small towns are facing a new challenge, trying to grow and develop while still maintaining small town charm and quality of life.

"A key issue in this election is change, and the candidates seem to really reflect changing attitudes," said Coomarasamy.

Georgia Mae Antley, whose home neighbors the bed and breakfast, agreed to further assist the reporters by taking them to visit Lois Hungerpillar, one of Elloree's oldest residents. Coomarasamy and Innis agreed that they looked forward to hearing her opinions on politics and the current push for change, but also some of her stories about the town itself.

Following a barbecue at the Community Hunting Club with Mayor Van Stickles and his staff and members of the Elloree Police Department, Coomarasamy and Innis were scheduled to reconvene at the bed and breakfast with Jack and Cindy Lane to watch the primary results come in.

Local residents Jalal Bey, Isaac Wilborn, and Jane Singh were also set to watch the results at the Elloree Bed and Breakfast and give their opinions on the primary to the reporters.

Coomarasamy said they enjoyed their stay in Elloree, pointing out that Southern hospitality is truly evident in Elloree, where the streets are full of "friendly people."

"You have some great personalities, some real characters, in this town," he said.

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