Dwight Stewart has served as the Clarendon County Council Chairman for 20 years. This year, he is running for re-election. Stewart sat down for an Editors Office Interview to discuss his campaign.
Do you have any prior political experience, if so when and where did you serve?
I served on the Summerton Town Council for 20 years, and the end of this year will be my 20th year on the Clarendon County Council.
40 years is a long time.
It only seems like 39.
20 years ago, you ran for county council. What mad you want to run for that position?
At that time, we had some things going on with the fire service, and citizens felt like there was a need for change. That was one of my primary goals, and we were able to implement those once I was elected. I just wanted to increase my experience in local government, while helping the citizens.
What do you see as some of the main issues affecting the county?
I think, being a rural county, we are sometimes unable to provide all of the services that other counties are. A mil is all assessed property that a county has, divided by 1,000. So when you need to raise taxes, you refer to the millage rate. The value of a mil in Greenville is almost $2,000,000, the value of a mil in Clarendon is about $100,000. If you needed to buy a fire truck, Greenville would only have to raise their millage by half a mil, we would have to go up almost seven.
We also have a challenge with lack of a tax base, as well as industry and infrastructure.
Have the issues changed a lot over the years?
When I first started, schools were an issue. However, I think they have really improved and come together with what they’ve been given.
What makes you a stronger candidate than your opponent?
I think experience would be number one. I also have a proven track record, both at the municipal and county levels. We have recruited industry, and remained fiscally sound. We don’t spend more than we make, and we try not to overtax citizens. I do my best to make sure every dollar I spend is justified, running the county in as good a business manner as I can.
Continuation is key, and we have a good team.
To put it in layman’s terms, what you're saying is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
That’s right.
What are the citizens getting when they vote for you?
First of all, they are getting fiscal responsibility. As well as an open door policy. They are getting someone who has raised their family in this county and cares about it very deeply.
What organizations, clubs or boards are you involved with or serve on?
I am currently the chairman of the South Carolina Association of Counties. That is a group of all of the counties throughout the state. I have been chairman of the South Carolina Forestry Association, founding member of the Summerton Rotary, and past president of the Summerton Lions Club.
What is your current education?
I have a BS degree in forestry from Clemson University.
What church do you attend?
I’m glad you asked, I am an elder at Summerton Presbyterian.
Tell us about your family and hobbies so that the citizens may get to know you better.
My wife is a native of Summerton, she is a RN employed by McLeod Health Clarendon. We had three children; my oldest, Drew, passed away last year from brain cancer. Drew and his wife lived in Columbia. Our daughter Cate also lives in Columbia with her husband. Our youngest son, Seth, lives in Greenville with his wife. We have seven grandchildren total, and I have lived in Summerton since 1974.
