Springdale, SC 11/03/2021 (Paul Kirby) – The citizens of the Town of Springdale, SC went to the polls Tuesday and overwhelmingly elect a new mayor. Popular Mayor Michael Bishop retired after serving 8-years, a term limit he imposed upon himself. This left the seat open and two of the town’s councilmembers ran.
The race pitted two well-known Springdale residents against one another. Ironically, they are also cousins.
Juston Ricard, who has served on the council for 20 years, ran on a platform of continuing along Bishop’s path. He wants to see the 2nd Phase of the town’s Sewer Plan implemented and more sidewalks added along a key walking corridor. He’s also excited about the prospects of having Lexington County School District Two’s new Performing Arts Center and Administrative Complex come to the town.
Viki Sox Fecas has served for 6-years. She also believes the town is moving in the right directions however, Fecas felt that there were far too many unfinished projects on the council’s agenda. She said that the town’s extensive Master Plan had been ignored for too long and was anxious to see the town hall move to another building Springdale recently acquired. Renovations on that building have stalled because the estimates to refit it are way overbudget. She also advocated continuing with the addition of additional sewer lines and wants to see the town provide a Community Center building and upgrade a second park.
On Tuesday, 521 voters turned out to cast their ballots. Of that total, 362 voted for Ricard. That’s almost 70% of the total votes cast. Sox-Fecas received a total of 157 votes or just over 30% of the ballots.
Ricard will be sworn in as mayor around the first of the year.
PICTURED: Juston Ricard
