COLUMBIA – Richland Two School Board Chairman James Shadd, lost not only his board chairmanship Tuesday night, but his seat on the board as well. Newcomer Lashonda McFadden bested Shadd with 2,831 votes to his 2,404.
The two other incumbents, Monica Elkins with 3,454 votes and
Lindsay Agostini with 3,148 votes retained their seats. Shadd finished fourth
in the race for the three open seats.
A strong supporter of Richland 2 Superintendent Baron Davis,
Shadd was admonished publicly last week and given an NI (Needs Improvement)
score by the Black Parents’ Association (BPA) in their annual Richland School
District Two Report Card review of the three school board incumbents running
for office.
The BPA give Agostini high praise and an A+ for her service
to the district, Elkins a B+ and asked what Shadd stood for.
“Mr. Shadd seems to exalt himself as a community leader and
he’s actively involved in many community activities which led us to question if
he was actually going to seek office again. Mr. Shadd’s ‘mission’ work seems to
be more important to him than guiding and really leading a premier school
district like Richland Two,” the BPA wrote. “It’s our opinion that Mr. Shadd
should exert more of a voice that challenges the district rather than rubber
stamp all its actions.”
The Association left it to the voters to decide if they felt
Shadd deserved to be re-elected to the board.
In contrast, the BPA lauded Lindsay Agostini for, “boldly
and rightfully questioning the policies of the administration,” saying that,
“she undoubtedly deserves four more years” on the board.
Dee Williams received the fifth highest number of votes
(1,889) followed by Maryann Wright (1,820) and James Mobley (1,716).
Rhonda Meisner of Blythewood, a frequent critic of the school’s administration and a first-time candidate received 1,300 votes; Deon Jacobs received 987 and Lawrence Terry, 640.
Rene Green defeats 2-term school board incumbent Paula Hartman.
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County voters changed the balance of power of the county government Tuesday night, turning out two of three county council incumbents.
Voters also narrowly rejected the capital project sales tax referendum (Penny Tax) with a 4,758 to 4,438 vote. The tax had been placed on the ballot to raise additional funds to pay for a proposed $32 million wastewater treatment plant.
With a razor thin margin of 6 votes, challenger Shirley
Greene, with 956 votes, defeated District 2 County Councilman Jimmy Ray Douglas
with 950 votes. Director of Fairfield County Voter Registration Debby Stidham
said the less than one percent difference in the two vote totals will trigger
an automatic recount which will be conducted on Friday. There are also 30
provisional votes that will be looked at by the county’s election commission on
Friday as well.
In County Council District 4, former county employee Tim Roseborough
defeated District 4 Councilwoman Bertha Goins with 796 votes to Goins’ 539.
Cynthia Parnell-Rivers received 401 votes, and there were 19 write-in votes.
County Council Chairman Neil Robinson (District 6) easily retained his seat by defeating challenger Bob Prather in a landslide vote of 836 to 297. There were 89 write-in votes.
Senator Mike Fanning (D), with 7,550 votes defeated
challenger Erin Mosley (R) with 4,472 votes.
Annie McDaniel (D) retained her seat in House District 41
with 7,458 votes to challenger Jennifer Brecheisen (R) with 4,566. Eleven
write-in votes were cast.
School board trustee incumbent Joe Seibles fended off
challenger Carrie Suber-O’Neal in a 1,112 to 600 vote. There were five
write-ins votes.
Two-term school board trustee incumbent representing
District 2, Paula Hartman was defeated by challenger Rene Green 1,045 to 716.
There were 8 write-in votes.
In other local races, Fairfield County Sheriff Will
Montgomery (D), with 9,830 votes, defeated Ed Eddie Jenkins with 1,854. There
were 42 write-in votes.
Fairfield Clerk of Court Judy Bonds (D), unchallenged, took
10,905 votes over 114 write-in votes.
Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill (D) was unchallenged and
received 10,891 votes. There were 101 write-in votes.
According to voter registrations officials, there was an
unprecedented 70+ percent turnout for all county races.
The results are preliminary and will be certified on Friday
at 10 a.m. in the Voter Registration office.
An updated story will appear in the Thursday issue of The
Voice.
The Voice has provided space for each of the local candidates to talk about their candidacy, and here is what they had to say. These comments are unedited.
Erin Mosley, SC Senate Dist. 17 Candidate
Mosely
My name is Erin Mosley and I am the Republican candidate for SC Senate District 17. I am a lifelong conservative Republican and believe in accountability, transparency, trust and integrity in all elected officials. I believe in limited government, less taxation, school choice and being a voice you can trust for all citizens of District 17.
I am pro life, pro law enforcement, pro education, and pro
veterans issues. We need representation
at the state level to defend life. We
should always support the precious gift of life and continue to be a voice for
the voiceless.
Law enforcement officers are vitally important to the
preservation of our communities in maintaining safety and building
relationships with citizens. I would not
support defunding the police. I will
always support our law enforcement across South Carolina.
I believe in all avenues of the education system. I believe that parents should always be able
to decide where their child should attend school. Parents should always have the choice to
ensure their child’s educational success no matter if it is a virtual, private,
charter or public school. I am the
daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, my dad served 2 tours in Vietnam and was a
Purple Heart recipient. We owe every
liberty and freedom we have to our veterans. They will always have my
attention, support and I look forward to better meeting the needs of our
veterans.
I am a resident of Chester County and graduated from
Lewisville High School in 1994. I went
directly into the workforce from high school and soon after graduated from
Cosmetology school. I worked as a hair
stylist until my husband and I started a family. I am founding member of the Progressive
Association of Chester County Communities a non-profit 501 (c)3 that serves all
of Chester County communities. There I
served as secretary, board member, and now the current president until
2021. In 2016, I became Chairman of the
Chester County Republican Party. In
2018, I was appointed to the Chester County Zoning Board of Appeals. One of my favorite quotes is, “If we ever
forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under,”
by Ronald Reagan.
I would appreciate your vote and I look forward to serving
District 17.
Senator Mike Fanning, District 17 Incumbent, did not submit any comments.
Annie E. McDaniel, SC House Dist. 41 Incumbent
McDaniel
I know District 41 and will fight tirelessly for it because I have lived here virtually all of my life. I am a lifelong resident of Fairfield County and have been educated by our public schools. I am a proud alumna of the University of South Carolina (UofSC) where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, major in Accounting. I later returned to UofSC and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and completed two Ph.D. level education administration courses in Finance.
I served 18 years on the Fairfield County School Board which
provided awesome preparation for my next journey.
In November of 2018, I was elected to the SC General Assembly
to represent District 41. My 2018 bid was historic because I became the first
African American since reconstruction, and the only African American woman to
ever hold this seat and represent District 41. Our destiny as a State and
District are truly tied together as one and I am committed to ensuring that our
destiny is bright!
Noteworthy accomplishments include: first freshman
legislator to get a bill passed (E-Rate expansion) and my appointment as the SC
State Director for the National Women in Government Organization. I proudly serve on the Medical, Military,
Public, and Municipal Affairs Committee and COVID-19 Employment, Workforce and
Business Recovery Committee. Endorsements
include: SC Education PAC Council, Planned Parenthood, AFL-CIO, Realtors
Association and Care in Action. I have
written several press releases, the latest was published in The State Newspaper
“On Health Care Training” which emphasizes the need for the state to offer free
or reduced education cost for Health Care New Hires and Health Care
Education. I assisted constituents with
various matters due to the Pandemic. I
awarded scholarships to assist students with pursing their educational goals. I was the first to expose House District 41
to the Food Boxes. Please contact me to
discuss additional accomplishments or other issues.
I assisted with exposing House District 41 in many ways, to
include representation and state and national conferences and conventions and
ensuring that several of the Presidential Candidates visited SC. The Lt. Governor and I have worked on several
projects to benefit House District 41 and the State.
I am proud of the work I have accomplished thus far and am
dedicated to continuing to fight for you and your families. I would be honored to receive your support on
November 3rd.
Jennifer Brecheisen, House Dist. 41 Candidate
Jennifer Brecheisen
I am an artist, a mother, and a Christian-not a politician. I am running, because in this time of uncertainty we need people in office that know the needs, fears, and struggles of the working class in SC. I believe a Congresswoman should be humble but also assertive and bold to be able to fight for her constituents. My slogan is Progress the Right Way – that means we need a foundation as a starting point from which to progress. That foundation is our Constitution. I believe taxes should be low, we should feel safe, our children should have good educations, and we should have the infrastructure in place to be able to live our very own American Dream right here in SC.
I would like to lead District 41 and South Carolina to
freedom. My plan to achieve this is very
specific. Here are just a few points
within that plan.
Introduce legislation to ban all city and statewide mask
mandates. As a person with Lupus, RA,
and Sjogren’s Syndrome, I understand the fears of those with compromised immune
systems. I believe anyone that feels they need a mask for protection should be
able to wear them. I also know there are
people with health issues that prevent them from wearing masks; therefore, I
believe South Carolinians should have medical freedom to choose what’s best for
them.
Reduce Crime by restoring Constitutional Carry to SC. Our 2nd amendment is paramount to being able
to protect ourselves not only from criminals, but also from any dictatorial
regime and even our own government. In
SC the violent crime rate is 4.9 which is much higher than the national average
of 3.7. By definition, a criminal won’t follow the law, but they WILL practice
self-preservation. They will be less
likely to offend if they know their own life is at stake.
Work to ensure each school district has an in person 5 day
per week option and introduce legislation to let you put your child’s
educational money where you want it. You
do not need any group indoctrinating your children with values you don’t agree
with no matter what side of the political spectrum you are on.
Liberty can ONLY be protected by we the people. No one
should be dictating to us whether we can breathe or protect ourselves. We don’t want the government in our lives,
our wallets, or our children’s minds.
Will Montgomery, Sheriff Incumbent
Will Montgomery
In the time that I’ve served as the Sheriff of Fairfield County we’ve made many positive changes to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Fairfield County. Some of our accomplishments from the past 6 years are listed below.
Crime rate is down.
Drug arrest are up.
We’re more involved with our communities.
We’ve added 6 new School Resource Officers.
More training available to all employees.
More deputies on patrol in our communities.
Updated technology.
Added a Gang Task Force.
Added a K-9 position.
We’ve built stronger relationships with other agencies. (Local, State and Federal)
A complete fitness gym to help keep employees in good physical shape.
We reorganized our rank structure to improve order in our chain of command.
We reorganized all call signs to improve communications.
We improved our communications with our citizens with social media and the use of Reverse 911.
We’re one of the first law enforcement agencies in the United States to issue body cameras to all of the deputies on patrol.
We’ve improved the way we investigate all internal complaints.
We’ve built a good relationship with all media outlets.
Open door policy in place to improve availability.
More community meetings conducted across the county.
A good working relationship with our County Council.
We’ve received over $1.5 million dollars from grants. (Equipment and training)
Pay increases and added benefits for all employees.
Church security program.
Citizen’s Advisory Committee.
Security check program.
New evidence room.
We’ve never gone over budget to make these changes.
These are just a few of our accomplishments in the past 6
years, and I look forward to continuing our progress in the right direction for
the future of our County.
Thanks to all of my supporters for making this possible
.Please Vote November 3, for proven leadership and a Sheriff that is familiar
with our County.
Ed “Eddie” Jenkins, Sheriff Candidate
Ed Jenkins
Our communities deserve to have the best minds and manpower as well as equipment to protect and serve Fairfield County, and to take back our communities from crime! As your Sheriff, I will see to it that this becomes a reality.
Sheriff William Montgomery recently stated on social media
that crime in Fairfield County is low, but I beg to differ. Since that statement, we all know that many
of our communities have experienced shootings and have been terrorized by violent
individuals who are taking over and destroying what Fairfield County truly
stands for.
In fact, over the course of six (6) years, Fairfield County
has been heavy plagued with multiple gun violence incidents in which people
were wounded and/or killed: Within the
last few months, there was a shooting at the Deerwood Apartments, which lead to
another gun victim, threats of gun violence occurred at the Element Industrial
Plant and two recent shootings caused mayhem in the Greenbrier and Ridgeway
areas. In addition, in speaking with
concerned citizens, I found that there have been several gun violence incidents
that resulted in unsolved murder cases and did not make it through Grand Jury
because of the lack of evidence.
As your sheriff, I will provide swift response and thorough
investigations of all crimes. We need a
sheriff who is assertive and will always exert strong leadership!
In speaking with many individuals and through close
observations, I discovered that there are no programs in place in Fairfield
County to prevent rising gun violence.
Therefore, my goal is to formulate an effective plan to reduce gun
violence throughout our county.
Sheriff William Montgomery has failed us! He has not
established a partnership with our communities and that is why violent
encounters have occurred rapidly during his six years as Sheriff of Fairfield
County. Community policing tactics are not effective because many of the
citizens, particularly our youths, either fear or have no respect for the
deputies. I want to remind the Fairfield
County citizens that we did not have all these acts of gun violence during
former Sheriff Herman Young’s era.
Sheriff Montgomery stated that he added a Gang Task Force,
but citizens feel that our youths are heavily involved in gang activities and
recent shootings are gang related. Local
news sources and citizens insist that no arrest has occurred.
As your Sheriff, I will partnership with the community to
implement an effective plan that will focus on youth violence prevention.
Vote for ED “Eddie” Jenkins for Sheriff of Fairfield County
on Nov. 3, 2020
Paula Meisner Hartman, FCSD District 2 Trustee Incumbent
Paula Hartman
It has been my privilege to serve on the Fairfield County School District Board of Trustees for eight years. It has been a challenging, fulfilling experience. I first ran for the board in 2012, out of my love for children and this county and to help the school district be the best it can be.
Today, I am running for a third term with those same goals
but with a broader understanding of my role and responsibilities as a member of
the board.
The ultimate job of the school district, of course, is to
provide a quality education for our children, to provide the rigorous
instruction that will give them the tools to be successful – to be college, job
or military ready.
It has been my personal goal as a board member to make
careful suggestions that are right for the students, the district and the
community – suggestions that will guide the district in the right direction,
even when I stand alone.
While I have a degree in child development from the
University of South Carolina and have continued my education in dyslexia, ADD
and ADHD, I am not an educational expert. But my education, my willingness to
learn, my experience on the board and as a parent and grandparent gives me the
ability to research and draw on knowledgeable sources to reach sound decisions.
I have lived in Ridgeway most of my life and enjoy serving
my community. I know my constituents, and I know they expect not only a
well-run school district, but one that is also transparent and responsive to
the community. Our school district is one of the most financially blessed
school districts in all of South Carolina. But we must always strive to make
the most of our financial blessings in order to help our students succeed.
While my basic role on the board is to help set the school’s
vision, implement policy, oversee the budget and hire and evaluate the
superintendent, my overall goal is our students’ success, real success, now and
for the rest of their lives – that’s what every parent wants for their child.
As a board member,
honesty, openness and ensuring our students’ success have been a hallmark of my
service. I ask for your vote on or before Nov. 3 so that I might continue to
represent District 2 on the FCSD Board of Trustees.
J. Renee Green, FCSD District 2 Trustee Candidate
J. Renee Green
My name is J. Renee Green. I am running for the School Board of Fairfield County. I am a lifelong educator, with over 35 years of classroom teaching experience; the majority of that teaching experience has been within Fairfield County School District. Education is, without question, my passion and purpose. It is my goal to bring this passion and knowledge to the Fairfield County School Board.
I have been blessed to walk in my purpose as a Special
Education teacher here in Fairfield County. For over 30 years, I have educated,
embraced, and advocated for every child entrusted to my care. I understand what
educators and school personnel need to be successful. I also understand the
importance experience plays in making sound decisions that will help grow every
child that walks through the doors of Fairfield County Schools. My experience
will also play an important role in making sound decisions that help educators
teach, help alleviate some of the stress they may feel, and help promote love
walking into our school buildings every day!
As a classroom teacher, I realize the importance of
representation. Not only will I represent and speak for educators, I will also
represent and speak for parents. Both of my children are products of Fairfield
County Schools, so I have the unique experience of being both a teacher and
parent in Fairfield County Schools. This knowledge and experience will serve as
a guiding light for practices that are in the best interest of our children,
parents, educators, and staff.
In addition to being a public school educator for over 30
years in Fairfield County, I am also highly active in the community. A few of
the community and school-based activities I am or have been involved in
include, but are not limited to, coordinator for the Special Olympics (10+
years), advisor for the Fairfield County Youth Council of the NAACP (5+ years),
volunteer at Lake Wateree Dutchman Creek Fire Department, coordinator for the
Recycling Initiative, trainer for Fairfield County School-Wide Discipline
Initiative, advisor for the Teen Institute, and job coach for students with
disabilities.
As a Fairfield County School Board Trustee, I will help
ensure all students are prepared to transition to their next level of learning.
I will be accessible to the public and continue to bring first-hand experience,
positivity, and teamwork to our district! Together WE succeed!
Joe Seibles, FCSD District 4 Trustee Candidate
Joe Seibles
As a lifelong resident of Fairfield County, a product of Fairfield County School District schools, and a retired educator and school administrator, I love my community. I am also a parent of three Fairfield County graduates and a grandparent of three current students in the district. I will provide relevance to the board from an educator and a parental perspective. I am running for Fairfield County School District School Board because I care about our students, teachers, bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, resource officers and all the people who make up our schools in Fairfield. I want to give them the support they deserve, and I want our community to have a voice in our schools.
I want to let each voter know that their vote matters. I would like to have your vote because I believe
that I can help improve the quality of education for our residents. My primary focus would be to work on programs
that would benefit all students.
I would greatly appreciate your vote on or before November
3rd.
Carrie Suber, FCSD District 4 Candidate, did not submit any comments.
WINNSBORO – After being postponed due to the COVID-19 restrictions, municipal elections are set for July 14, for both the Town of Jenkinsville and the Town of Ridgeway.
Jenkinsville
Two town council seats and the office of mayor are up for election,
but only one candidate is running for one of the council seats, one candidate
for mayor and no one filed for the other council seat.
Current mayor Gregrey Ginyard is the only candidate for
mayor. His wife, Betty, is running for one of the council seats and no one
filed for the seat currently held by Joseph McBride.
The Jenkinsville precinct (Jenkinsville Volunteer Fire
Department at 7104 State Highway 215 S., in Jenkinsville,) will be open for
voting from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 14.
Ridgeway
In Ridgeway, two town council seats are open for
election.
Current Councilman Donald Prioleau will be running for his
seat. Former councilwoman Belva Bush Belton is running for the seat currently
held by Angela Harrison, who is not seeking re-election.
The Ridgeway precinct (Former Ridgeway Fire Department at
170 S. Palmer Street in Ridgeway) will be open for voting from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.,
Tuesday, July 14.
Voting Guidelines
Only citizens residing in the city limits of the two towns
and are properly registered to vote will be eligible to vote in this election.
Check voter registration information at SCVotes.org.
At 11 a.m. on Election Day, the county election commission
will begin examination of the absentee ballot return envelopes for both towns
at 315 S. Congress St in Winnsboro.
On Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m., the county election
commission will hold a hearing to determine the validity of ballots challenged
in these elections and certify the results. This hearing will be held at the
Fairfield County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 315 S. Congress
St., Winnsboro.
Sen. Mike Fanning and wife Stephanie, with Rep. Annie McDaniel and Gladden Williams. | Contributed
WINNSBORO – In the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, State Sen. Mike Fanning (Dist. 17) and House Rep. Annie McDaniel (Dist. 41) both took home big wins to represent their party in November for second terms.
Mosely
Fanning kept his seat with 7,823 votes (67.93%) to former
House Dist. 41 representative MaryGail Douglas’s 3,694 votes (32.07%). District
17 covers Fairfield, Chester and part of York County. Fanning did not
immediately return The Voice’s phone request for a comment.
Fanning will face Republican candidate Erin Mosley of
Chester in the November election.
McDaniel, with 4,811 votes (71.01%) resisted newcomer
Charlene Herring of Ridgeway with 1,964 votes (28.99%). She will serve a two-year
term.
Brecheinsen
“I just want to thank the voters in District 41 for
re-electing me,” McDaniel said. “The strong showing shows they appreciate the
style of service I’ve provided them, and I want them to know that I’ll continue
to be a public servant and for them to stay involved in the political process
and hold us governmental officials accountable.
McDaniel will face Republican candidate Jennifer Brecheisen
of Chester in the November election.
Kennedy, Jackson in Runoff; Dickerson Looking at Recount
Pugh
BLYTHEWOOD – With a razor-thin margin of 52 votes, Derrek Pugh of Blythewood ousted 12-year Richland County Council incumbent Joyce Dickerson in an upset. Dickerson told The Voice Wednesday morning that she is unsure of the numbers and plans to look into a recount of at least some of the precincts. Pugh had 2,708 votes to Dickerson’s 2,656.
Pugh carried all Blythewood 29016 precincts handily and took
big chunks out of Dickerson’s votes in her home areas in St. Andrews, also an
area where Pugh did some growing up.
While constituents in Cedar Creek backed Dickerson in
response to her pushing back against Fairfield County’s proposed wastewater
treatment plant she lost some steam in Blythewood, specifically in
Crickentree’s Kelly Mill precinct where she fought and won a two-year zoning
battle with residents.
Without providing documentation guaranteeing a promised
250-foot buffer between Crickentree residents and an undetermined number of
homes proposed on the adjoining former Golf Course of South Carolina, Dickerson
led the charge on third and final reading to rezone the golf course from
Traditional Recreational Open Space (TROS) zoning to Low Density Residential
(RS-LD) zoning. More than a hundred Crickentree and area residents attending
the meeting.
Blythewood is represented by three different Richland County
Council representatives. Here are the results of the other two contests.
Gwendolyn Kennedy
Gretchen Barron
In County Council District 7, Incumbent Gwendolyn Kennedy, with 2,758 votes (41.58%), was forced into a runoff with Gretchen Barron who took 2,420 votes (36.48%). Richard Brown finished with 1,455 (21.94%).
District 9 incumbent Calvin ‘Chip’ Jackson, with 2,503 votes (49.67%) will be in a runoff with Jonieka Farr who had 1,218 votes (24.17%). Angela Addison took 937 votes and Blythewood’s Jerry Rega received 381.
Local democratic primary election results for Blythewood
29016 challenged races:
Blythewood is represented by three different Richland County
Council representatives. Here are the results of those three contests.
DISTRICT 2 – With a razor-thin margin 0f 52 votes Derrek Pugh of Blythewood ousted 12-year incumbent Joyce Dickerson in a big upset. Dickerson told The Voice Wednesday morning that she plans to look into a recount of at least some of the precincts. Pugh had 2,708 votes to Dickerson’s 2,656.
DISTRICT 7 – Incumbent Gwendolyn Kennedy, with 2,758 votes (41.58%), was forced into a runoff with Gretchen Barron who took 2,420 votes (36.48%). Richard Brown finished with 1,455 (21.94%).
Gwendolyn Kennedy
Gretchen Barron
DISTRICT 9 – Incumbent Calvin Chip Jackson, with 2,503 votes (49.67%) will be in a runoff with Jonieka Farr who had 1,218 votes (24.17%). Angela Addison took 937 votes and Blythewood’s Jerry Rega received 381 votes.
Jackson
Farr
For more details on local races, see the June 11 issue of The Voice.
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County polls will be open from 7 a.m.
– 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
State Senator Mike Fanning, House Rep. Annie McDaniel and
Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery all face challengers in the June 9
democratic primary.
Fairfield Clerk of Court Judy Bonds and Fairfield County
Coroner Chris Hill are both running unopposed in the primary.
Senate
Winnsboro’s MaryGail Douglas is running against Fanning in
Tuesday’s primary for the Senate seat. Douglas previously served six years in
the House (District 41.) Fanning, a resident of Great Falls is finishing out
his first term in the Senate representing Fairfield and parts of Chester and
York Counties.
House
Democrat Charlene Herring is challenging Annie McDaniel for
the House District 41 in the primary. Herring served 12 year as mayor of
Ridgeway and is on the Board of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. McDaniel is
completing her first two-year term in the House. She previously served 18 years
on the Fairfield County School Board.
Sheriff
Sheriff Will Montgomery, who has served six years as
Fairfield County Sheriff, has one challenger in the primary, Ed Jenkins. No
republicans are running in that race.
Unopposed
Bonds, clerk of court, and Hill, coroner and Sheriff Will Montgomery are all three running unopposed.
Montgomery
Bonds
Hill
Elections Delays
The rescheduled general elections for the Town of Ridgeway
and Town of Jenkinsville residents will be held on Tuesday, July 14. The
Ridgeway election will seat two town council members, and the Jenkinsville
election will seat two town council members and the mayor, according to Fairfield
County Voter Registration Director Debby Stidham.
Stidham said her office will accept absentee applications
only until Friday. Absentee ballots for the primary will be accepted through
Tuesday.
For information about candidates, elections or voting, call
Fairfield County Voter Registration at 803-635-6255.
I know District 41 and will fight for it because Fairfield
is home. I am a lifelong resident of Fairfield County and educated by our
public schools. I am a proud alumna of the University of South Carolina where I
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in
Accounting and my Master’s Degree in Public Administration. I also completed two Ph.D. level education
administration courses in Finance while earning my Master’s Degree.
I know the value of education and the love our teachers pour
into our children. In 2000, I was elected to and served 18 years as a member of
the Fairfield County School District Board of Trustees, fighting for our
children, teachers, and public schools. During my tenure on the School Board, I
was elected to the State School Boards Association Board and served locally as
Board Chair, Secretary, Finance Committee Chair, Student Hearing Committee
member, and Delegate to the SCSBA Delegate Assembly. My work and experience
with students, parents, and teachers fundamentally impacted how I view public
service.
This experience served as a backdrop for my 2018 campaign to
represent District 41 in the South Carolina State House. With a rich background
serving in the field of education, you allowed me to expand my service and
tackle the challenges we face as a community in the fields of healthcare,
economic empowerment, environmental protection, and quality of life. I am proud of the blessings my constituents
have received as a result of my service to District 41.
In November of 2018, I was elected to the SC General
Assembly. My 2018 bid was historic
because I became the first African American since reconstruction, and the only
African American woman to represent District 41. This history has been humbling
and has inspired me to fight for ALL South Carolinians. Our destiny as a State
and District are truly tied together as one and I am committed to ensuring that
our destiny is bright!
During my first year in office, noteworthy accomplishments
included being the first freshman legislator to get a bill passed (E-Rate
expansion) and my appointment as a SC State Director for the National Women in
Government Organization. Additionally, I serve on the Medical, Military,
Public, and Municipal Affairs Committee.
I would be honored to receive your support on June 9th. The
Governor recently signed a bill allowing no excuse absentee voting during this
primary. I encourage you to visit
scvotes.org to request an absentee ballot and vote now through June 8th. You
may also absentee vote in-person through June 8th at Midlands Technical
College’s Fairfield Campus.
I am proud of the work I have accomplished thus far and am dedicated to continuing to fight for you and your families.
Challenger Charlene Herring
A Voice for Education, Business, Towns and Cities
As a lifelong
educator, small business entrepreneur and former mayor, I am now a candidate
for SC House District 41 which encompasses Chester, Fairfield and Richland
Counties.
The pandemic does not care if we are Democrat or Republican.
We are all in this together and my mission is to be our voice for education,
business and towns and cities in the new “normal”. It will require a flexible
vision as well as creative and collaborative problem solving strategies to
recover our economy.
America was built and will survive this pandemic on the
backs of business and industry, but continued assistance must come from all
levels of government and in different formats. I am a small business owner
myself, a member of the Board of Directors of the Fairfield County Chamber of
Commerce and a former three-term mayor of Ridgeway. I had the opportunity to lead the initiative
for accelerated business growth in our community. I understand the value of a team approach and
the necessity to develop strong partnerships to assist small businesses in
re-inventing themselves through training, business start-ups, e-commerce and
monetary incentives.
My passion for education is evident. I have been recognized
early in my profession as a SC State Teacher of the Year Finalist. I want to
use my extensive and successful career experience in public education, both
teaching and administration, to make some real improvements in the way we
educate our children. I plan to visit classrooms and schools to see and hear
firsthand the prevalent needs of educators and students. I want to engage the public and to work
personally to support the implementation of teacher retention strategies as
well as the accessibility of broadband internet service for all students at
home.
Regarding towns and cities, I will work to secure reliable
funding levels through legislation concerning the Local Government Fund so
government entities can continue to provide the needed services of safety,
health care, infrastructure, recreation and cultural activities for their
citizens. I will support local and fiscal accountability and management of
resources that are critical to serving citizens and governing efficiently and
effectively.
I am prepared to bring a lifetime of public service and
merge it with my strong work ethic to make the quality of life better for all
of us in House District 41. I can do it if you will give me the opportunity.
