The leadership of the government makes a quiet change in Pine Ridge after more than 23-years

Pine Ridge, SC (Paul Kirby) – Quietly, and in front of a modest crowd of citizens, the mayor’s gavel passed in Pine Ridge Tuesday night after being held by former Mayor David Busby for more than 23 years. Robert Wells was sworn in as the new mayor to lead the small, peaceful, bedroom community just west of Cayce and West Columbia.

As has been the case for many years, Busby gaveled the meeting to order and began methodically going through the town’s business. Most issues the council faced were the mundane task of government; accepting bids to cut the grass, clean the town hall, or hearing proposals on who would install fans to keep the police department’s garage cooler. When the old business was completed, Busby said that he would make a short statement before Mayor pro Tem Daniel Davis would swear in the new mayor. He would then swear in re-elected Councilmember Floyd Dinkins and newly elected Councilmember Scott Simms.

Busby’s statement chronicled his career with the town; a career that started in the 1970’s when he was appointed to the Planning Commission. During the many years that he selflessly served, the town saw tremendous growth and change. Pausing several times to compose himself, Busby spoke about what had been, and what was now.

When he became mayor, the town hall had one room, one police officer who was the chief and everything else, and another employee that did all the other tasks that were assigned. There was little money in the bank, and the town offered no services to speak of other than a bit of patrolling by that police chief, some filing, and record keeping.

Since that time, the town has made great strides. They have now acquired the entire complex that houses the town’s business offices and police department. The building that used to be shared with the senior citizen’s center is now the town’s in whole and is about to undergo a major renovation. There are now three full-time police officers, all of whom are using the latest state-of-the-art equipment. They are backed up by part-time officers who assist in keeping the streets and residents safe.

As Busby continued, those looking on were quiet. Most were fully aware of the accomplishments and the impact that the town had benefitted from under his leadership. He reminded those listening several times that Pine Ridge’s form of government made him but one part of a team who all deserved credit for the good, measured growth of the town. Not once did he talk about himself in a singular sense, instead he talked about what had been done by the teams that he had served with over the years.

He took the time to thank Viki Miller, the town’s administrator, Police Chief Billy Parker, the other officers who protect the streets, and the remainder of the town hall staff who impact the lives of the citizens, unknown for the most part, as they each go about their daily duties. He quoted from the Bible portions of several passages. Perhaps the most poignant was the first line of Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verse 3, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Shortly after he quoted the verses, he ended his statement, closed his binder, got up from the seat he had held all those years, and left the building with his wife Sandy. Wells took over and finished out the meeting.

Certainly, it is a new season in Pine Ridge. Robert Wells has many years of experience serving on the town’s council. He certainly isn’t inexperienced in the innerworkings of the town. Now, only time will tell if he has the strength, the stamina, and the ability to lead the little town as another decade approaches and the business of governing rolls on when the town’s staff comes to work, just like any other day, on Wednesday morning.