We, the undersigned residents of Pickens County, South Carolina, are calling for the Chairman Alex Saitta to step down as chair from the Pickens County Council.

This call comes after continued frustration and concern surrounding the Council’s handling of the historic Greenville Pickens Speedway.

This racetrack is not just land—it is a cornerstone of our community. Established in the 1940s, it represents generations of local families, racers, and history, with championship names dating back to 1957. It is widely recognized as one of the oldest NASCAR-sanctioned tracks in the country.

Despite:

Thousands of petition signatures from community members
Widespread support across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia
Clear opportunities for economic growth and tourism
A viable path toward historic designation that would protect the speedway
The Pickens County Council has failed to take meaningful action.

Even more concerning:

There has been resistance to advancing historic preservation efforts
Community voices have been dismissed or minimized
Transparency and urgency on this issue have been lacking
Leadership is about listening. Leadership is about protecting what matters to the people.

At this moment, it is clear that the current leadership is not aligned with the will of the community.

When elected officials ignore the people, they forfeit the trust placed in them.

We are not asking—we are demanding accountability.

We, the people of Pickens County, believe that Alex Saitta no longer represents the interests, history, or future of this community.

We believe it’s in the best interest of Pickens County to place another member of council as Chair.

If no action is taken, we will:

Continue to grow this movement publicly and statewide
Bring increased media attention to this issue
Mobilize voters to ensure new leadership is elected
This is bigger than one racetrack.

This is about:

Respecting our history
Protecting our community
Standing up to decisions driven without the people
Pickens County deserves leadership that listens.

If you won’t stand with the people—step aside.