Last night my little town of Lamar, South Carolina, hosted a candidates forum to give voters an opportunity to learn more about the candidates for Town Council and the Mayor’s race. Our Town employees did an excellent job organizing the event, which was held in the Fire Department’s fire truck bay. I brought some sound equipment and setup a very basic sound system for the candidates.
There are two Council seats up for election, which Councilwoman Mary Mack and myself currently occupy. We’re both running for re-election, so we are officially running unopposed. Residents will have two votes to cast in the Town Council race, one for each position.
As such, Councilwoman Mack and I were invited to tell voters a bit about ourselves and our visions for the town. The main event was the mayoral forum, which was structured in a series of questions (nine or ten) posed to each candidate. The mayoral candidates received their questions in advance, and the audience was not allowed to ask questions (although I think several people did after the forum formally adjourned).
Both candidates acquitted themselves nicely, differing mainly in the margins. Councilwoman Inez Lee focused on cleaning up the town, literally and metaphorically, frequently invoking Franklin Roosevelt’s “First Hundred Days”: we have a number of dilapidated buildings on Main Street that are eyesores. James Howell, a local landscaper, focused on improving the town’s infrastructure and zoning to make the town more attractive to businesses.
All candidates for all offices touted the need to fix Lamar’s water system, so we sell our own water again. We are currently purchasing around four million gallons of water each month from the Darlington County Water and Sewage Authority, paying rates that are onerously high for residents.
As for my little blurb, I focused on a few areas: improving public safety by expanding our police department; encouraging growth by advertising Lamar’s attractive qualities and proximity to nearby communities; and improving/restoring delivery of basic services, such as reopening Town Hall more than two days a week, and—of course—fixing our water system.
If anything, I wish the event had been open to questions from the public. Granted, I was relieved not to be put on the spot—ha!—but that’s kind of the point when running for office. I certainly don’t have an answer for everything—and I’d be the first to say so to a constituent—but questions are a great way to learn what really matters to people. Questions also force elected officials to stay sharp.
Regardless, it was a good event, and I was thankful that all candidates had an opportunity to speak to voters. Now for the election!
The Portly Politico 
First, town councillor, next stop President! Hurrah! Tyler in the White House! Now THAT would be something to write about.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ha! I think I’d fare worse than our last one if I made it that far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The question is do you act on your promises?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Never!
Haha, just kidding. I do my best to fulfill what I set out to do. I avoid making promises on big projects because, well, who knows what could happen. But I work hard to do what I am able.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s all you can ask for. Good luck and God speed! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, man! It’s been a real learning curve, but it’s been a worthwhile experience.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Have you ever wondered about stepping up in politics or are you happier at a local level? The Republicans could do with some fresh blood.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I very much like the local level. At this point, I think national politics is wasted effort, and I lack the wealth and the oiliness to get to that level.
Having been on Council for nine months, I have seen quite a few things where I think the State government could loosen up on municipalities, which would make it much easier for small towns—especially VERY small towns like Lamar—to operate. I would be interested in serving as a State Representative, but those seats tend to remain occupied for life, and require a degree of flexibility that simply doesn’t exist for a schoolteacher. I’d have to dramatically reconsider my career and make major adjustments to my life to serve even at that level. That doesn’t mean I’m unwilling to make those adjustments, but that they would require a great deal of prayer and sacrifice to make.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m one of the people who insist that it’s the local level that matters more than any other, at least when American government is working semi-properly. If we can get the towns, cities, and counties working properly (not to mention school boards) where we can have individual impact, the states will follow, and eventually the nation.
You can call it federalism, or as the Catholic church does, subsidiarity, but the theory is the same, problems should be solved at the lowest level possible where the people themselves have input. America (England, as well) worked best when the framework supported this, and people often didn’t know who the governor was, let alone the president. The more irrelevant they are, the better governed we are.
This is one area where the TEA Parties (the original people, not the grifters) have left a legacy, we have seen quite a change at the local level, and the effects are showing in state capitals.
Keep up the good work, Tyler.
LikeLiked by 3 people
This article is a wonderful way to see how America works in microcosm.
The other good thing about questions is, if the answer is not known, it forces one to do the homework, do the research, and then come back and share that information.
Well done, you.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Excellent comment, Neo.
LikeLiked by 1 person