South Congaree, SC 04/04/2022 (Paul Kirby) – Former South Congaree Town Councilman Jerry Smith has once again decided that he would like to serve on the Council. He previously served a full four-year term from 2012 until 2016. During that period, he was also elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem.
There are four candidates vying for two seats in tomorrow’s election. The two incumbents, Brian Jackson, and Bobby Porter, both filed to run for re-election while Mrs. Kitty Spires, who is also campaigning for a seat, served on the council for three-years from 2005 thru 2008. South Congaree holds a municipal election every two years, and it is and at large, non-partisan race that’s open to all registered voters who legally reside within the South Congaree town limits.
Smith is a veteran with 21 years of service in the US Navy. Currently, he works as a Code Enforcement Officer with the City of Columbia. He and his wife have lived in South Congaree for 12 years and he says during that time, he has witnessed a number of changes to the community. He also professes to be very knowledgeable in municipal law and says he has a command of Robert’s Rules of Order, the standard by which most meetings are run.
“I am invested in our community, its people, and the quality of life,” Smith recently wrote when asked why he should be elected to this leadership position. He believes that South Congaree is at a critical crossroad, and he wants to see, “South Congaree thrive!”
During this campaign, Smith has developed a Four Point Pledge he is committed to follow if he’s elected. Those points are:
· I will be open-minded and consider South Congaree’s citizens first
· I will support honesty, transparency, and accountability
· I will advocate for distributing accurate, factual information to citizens
· I will be punctual for all Council Meetings and Work Sessions
Smith also has an 8 plank Political Platform that includes items that he considers crucial in leading South Congaree into the future. Those are:
FOR working to create and support a well-designed plan to manage growth.
FOR revising building codes and ordinances that should be up to date and enforced for citizens’ best interest, allowing cleaning up the Town to be of the highest priority.
FOR much-needed update and expansion of city infrastructure. Growth creates demand.
FOR prioritizing, a well-funded and well-trained Police Dept. Growth creates demand.
FOR incentives for developers that would like to build within our town limits.
FOR incentives that encourage and support small businesses within the city limits.
FOR expanded support for our Senior Center and outreach assistance for those in need.
FOR promoting tourism through expanding the use of the Arena.
FOR hosting family-friendly events (i.e., craft fairs, food festivals, musical concerts, etc.).
Smith says that he would appreciate you vote tomorrow, April 5, 2022. “Feel free to contact me by email at jerry.smith1965@yahoo.com or by phone 843-680-6956,” he concluded.
You can cast your ballot at the South Congaree Town Hall which is located at 119 W. Berry Road, West Columbia (South Congaree). Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
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