South Congaree, SC 04/03/2022 (Paul Kirby) – Kitty Spires, a lifelong resident of the Town of South Congaree who has previously served on the Town’s Council, has filed to run for a Council seat again in Tuesday’s municipal election. There are two seats up for grabs and Mrs. Spires faces two incumbents, Brian Jackson, and Bobby Porter along with another former councilmember, Jerry Smith. South Congaree’s Council races are for non-partisan, at large seats that are four-year terms. Elections are staggered so that a portion of the Council has an opportunity to turn every two years.
As stated previously, Mrs. Spires has lived her entire life in South Congaree. She served on the Town’s Council from 2005-2008. She graduated from Airport High School, and then went on to get degrees at Midlands Technical College, Columbia College, and later the University of South Carolina.
She will have been married to Roger Spires, her high school sweetheart, for 54 years this coming May. At one point, he too has served on the South Congaree Town Council. The couple have two daughters and three grandchildren and Mrs. Spires says she considers herself, “blessed!”
One of her passions is the public library system. She has served on the Lexington County Library Board as Vice-chair and is currently the President of Friends of the South Congaree-Pine Ridge Library (scprfriends.org). She is also serving as the President of the Friends of South Carolina Libraries (foscl.org). In the case of these library organizations, she led her colleagues in developing innovative programs that have caused them to receive numerous accolades and recognitions.
Mrs. Spires is a registered Precept Bible Study leader and teaches those classes at Mt. Horeb UMC in Lexington. In addition to those civic leadership positions, she has served as President and President-Elect of the professional association the SC Association for Developmental Education. In 2015, Mrs. Spires served as Conference Manager for the national meeting of the National Association for Developmental Education, which was held in Greenville, SC.
Mrs. Spires recently wrote that one of her most treasured endeavors was to serve as a Professor at Midlands Technical College for 20 years in the Developmental Education Department. “Just as I saw changes and confidence build in the students I taught, I want that same kind of outcome for the citizens of the Town of South Congaree,” she said recently in a written statement.
In making a statement regarding this run for office, Mrs. Spires wrote, “I will do what is morally, ethically, professionally, and legally right to bring an honest reputation back to our town where all town citizens are treated in the same manner according to town ordinances, which aren’t suggestions, but laws that we need to follow. It is now the Right Time, and I am the Right Choice to bring honest, effective leadership and change to council where I will be Mayor Campbell’s strongest ally.”
When asked what she was committed to do if elected, Mrs. Spires wrote:
I will bring to the council and the town honest, ethical, and professional leadership in all town processes and procedures.
I will work for an open, accountable system of government where all agendas, minutes, and financial information are up to date and accurate.
I will work to achieve real results, not empty promises as the council must do the right thing for all citizens. All work from the town administrative office and police department will be done in accordance with our town ordinances, county ordinances and state and federal laws and statutes.
I will work to bring a highly qualified individual in as our Town Clerk.
I want to bring the honor back to our town as it should be by conducting town business and monthly Council meetings according to the town ordinances, state, and federal law. We need to conduct town business properly.
The polls will open on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at 7:00 a.m. at the Town of South Congaree’s Town Hall. They will remain open until 7:00 p.m. The Town Hall is located at 119 West Berry Road in West Columbia (South Congaree) and only registered voters who live within the Town may cast a ballot.
Mrs. Spires would welcome your support Tuesday. She is also willing to talk with residents about any of the issues facing the town. She can be reached by email at rkspires@bellsouth.net or by telephone at 803 622-8396.
PHOTO: Kitty Spires - Property of Kitty Spires, all rights reserved.
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