This week, The Manning Times interviewed each candidate for the Summerton Mayoral election. Their answers are provided in chronological order of their interviews. If the candidates were asked a follow-up question, that question is indicated with bold italic font.
Where did you grow up?
In Clarendon County, Summerton. Summerton community.
How long have you lived in Summerton?
I’ve lived in Summerton all my life. Candidate called back to clarify: I wanted to clarify something. You asked me ‘how long I’ve lived in Summerton?’ I have lived in the Summerton community all my life. I have lived in the city limits of Summerton the past 15 months.
Do you have any professional achievements that you’d like to share?
Of course. I have served on the Clarendon School Board, Clarendon District One, for the past 19 years. I serve as Vice Chairman of the board. I oversee, at the time, we had a budget of nine million dollars. Also, I served on the Clarendon 4 Consolidated District about two years ago, when the consolidation first came about. I served on that board as Vice Chairman, and we oversee a budget of 30 million dollars. I currently serve on the Clarendon County School District Board which will take over, effective July 1, as the Vice Chairman. That board, we oversee a 50-million-dollar budget. In 2006 through 2008, I served on the Summerton Town Council back then.
What do you believe qualifies you for this position?
I have over 21 years of political experience. And leadership experience.
What will be your top priority if you’re elected Mayor?
My top priority would be the infrastructure of the water and sewer system issue that is currently in place.
What, specifically, will you do to facilitate the water clean-up in Summerton? How will you work with town council?
I would like to sit down with council, as well as the administrators, to develop a strategic plan to address the water sewer issue. Do you have any details to that plan? For one, the main concern, I think they’re having some issues with the water and sewer issues where things were not kept up properly, so my plan in terms would indicate that the fact that we need to make sure that we work with the county and any other state and local officials to get resources to replace those systems that are outdated, upgrade the water and sewer system, and there has been a lot of complaints about that. People have what you call outdated water meters.
Do you have any regrets in your professional career so far? If so, what did you learn from it?
My only regret so far would be ... to be honest with you I don’t because this is my passion. Serving people and helping people.
What do you believe Summerton needs or is lacking? What will be your main objective as soon as you enter office?
I’m looking at my goals and objectives. If I was elected, as I stated earlier, to develop a plan to improve the infrastructure of the town to clean water. Infrastructure of the sewer system and any buildings that the town currently owns. Also, I would like to advocate for quality training for employees and a department head, if it has not been developed yet. I would like to advocate for community programs that will enhance the community. I would like to advocate for quality broadband services for the town. Advocate for rural healthcare providers. I would like to advocate for funding for sidewalks in underserved areas. Promote safety measures throughout the town. Develop a plan to promote new business for the town. Always good, never hurt to advocate for new business and more business. To develop a plan to address dilapidated homes and overgrown properties that are owned by individuals within the city limits. Evaluate the town’s Department of Administration, the Public Works Department, the municipal, legal, law enforcement, consultants and other contractual agreements that are currently in place. I’m not saying what is there is not working but it won’t hurt to evaluate those areas to make sure those things are currently in place and what can we do to make things a whole lot better than what it is. Most importantly, update the town ordinance. Without the ordinance updated and in place, you can’t govern with an outdated ordinance. Like me serving on the school board, every so often we have to update our policy on the school board to make sure we are operating legally. Also, I would like to advocate for training for the mayor, as well as council members. Every day, laws change, things change every day, so the council and the mayor need to be on par with what’s going on in the state and federal levels to make sure we’re operating according to laws and procedures. Candidate called back to add: One thing I meant to tell you while I was on the interview, I would like to put together, I think I mentioned, a 3-to-5-year strategic plan for the infrastructure, water and sewer. Also, I would like to put a 3-to-5-year strategic financial plan together for the Town of Summerton in order to see exactly where we are and where we’re going growth wise. And financially wise because we never want to put too much on taxpayers, always want to keep thing in perspective that everybody is living comfortable and at the same time, we’re maintaining keeping the town aboard financially. That we’re not overspending and we’re keeping our eye on every penny that we spend.
Tell us a little about your family life and/or hobbies.
My hobbies, you know, I go to church often. I don’t fish or go hunting or anything such as that. My main thing, other than going to church, I love spending time with my grandkids and my children, when they’re available, because the majority of my kids are grown. So, family time is a passion for me.
Any additional remarks or comments that you would like to close with?
Again, if the citizens of Summerton elect me to serve as Mayor for the next four years, listen, I will be grateful and thankful that the citizens chose to elect me. And most of all, I would give God all the praises..
