Darlington Candidate Forum 2015: videos
Linwood Epps, one of the 12 candidates for Darlington City Council At-Large seat, at the 2015 City of Darlington Municipal Elections Forum sponsored by the News & Press.
Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
The News & Press hosted our first ever candidate forum on Thursday October 22nd, and approximately 288 Darlington residents filled the seats and bleachers at the Darlington Area Recreation Department Harmon Baldwin gymnasium to hear 15 of the 16 residents vying for city municipal offices.
Bill Rogers, the executive director of the S.C. Press Association and moderator of the forum, said more newspapers should follow Darlington’s lead in hosting such events.
Bill Rogers, executive director of the South Carolina Press Association
Photo by Samantha Lyles
“For a community newspaper like the News & Press to sponsor such an event helps bring the community together and help build the strength of the electoral process. The turnout was amazing.” said Rogers. “This was a great way for citizens to see and hear the candidates first hand.”
Rogers kept the event moving along at a brisk pace; the candidates for the three at-large Darlington city council seats, followed by the candidates for Mayor of Darlington. Each candidate shared their platform with a strict time limit of 2 minutes; the council candidates answered for questions, and the mayoral candidates were asked five; a time limit of 90 seconds was given for their answers. Each question was culled from the community; the questions that were given to each candidate were compiled from the most popular topic of the submitted questions, including the funding that the city has given in support of public transportation for the past five years to Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority, PDRTA. Each candidate was also asked a unique question chosen at random by the moderator.
After the debate, many in the crowd commented that it was certainly a lively evening, but not many had a clear “winner” of the event, although many of the individuals certainly stood out.
See videos from each candidate, taken by Samantha Lyles, below. Mobile users, please click the links to be directed to the video. Note: due to a camera malfunction issue, we apologize that a few portions of the council candidates videos were impossible to retrieve.
City council candidates: (3 at-large seats)
Joan Alston
photo by Samantha Lyles
Joan Alston:
Alston introduced herself as a Darlington native who returned home after living in New York for many years.
“I see a vision and we can do this…we are a community, and we are united. We’ve got God…and with God there is nothing we cannot do.”
When asked how she would make herself available to the entire city, she said, “I will make myself available to talk I will go to churches, I will go to schools, I will do to any meeting they want me to go to, I will start meetings, I will do what we need to do for education, infrastructure, in and everything I can do I will say knock on my door, they do it now.”
On PDRTA: “I’m for it, not every can drive,” but cautioned: “What are we getting back? How can we make it better?” She suggested implementing plans to evaluate the service.
Mobile users, click link to view video: Joan Alston
Sheila Baccus
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Sheila Baccus:
Baccus shared the success of the Southeast Darlington Revitalization Committee that she is a part of as an impetus for wanting to run for office. “It is important to support businesses at home in order to improve the lives of all citizens of Darlington. In order to create for our elderly and youth, it takes revenue. Revenue generates tax funds that we need to improve to positively affect our lives.”
On PDRTA: She supports the need because many cannot drive and cannot afford it, but suggested that PDRTA needs to “be a business for profit rather than to expect the citizens of Darlington to help support them.”
Baccus brought a round of applause when she stated: “I am holding all of you accountable. Once the jobs come to Darlington and the businesses come to Darlington, we expect every one of you to support these businesses. If you don’t support your own, businesses are going to leave. And we are going to be back in the same mess that we have been through before.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Sheila Baccus
Ronda Duke Brown
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Ronda Duke Brown
Brown is a member of the Planning Commission, Beautification Board and the Kalmia Garden Study Club president for this year.
She listed goals to work on the infrastructure, and “… improve our website so there is better communication between our citizens and people outside our community… with South Carolina being ranked so high in retirement as a place for retirees to come, we need to showcase our city.”
Brown suggested looking at realtors to help promote Darlington, to entice more homebuyers across the nation, and to improve infrastructure; “Darlington is an older community, we need to look at not only the sewers but the roads the streetlights as well.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Ronda Duke Brown
Carolyn Bruce
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Carolyn Bruce
Bruce is a native of Darlington, and a graduate of St. John’s High School. After attending Clafflin University, Bruce was a teacher for a number of years and has been working at Sam’s Club in Florence for over 20 years.
“My campaign is focused on two platforms. First is economic growth and equal opportunity for everybody. The city I believe has been at a standstill for many years and I believe it’s time for change and forward movement. I believe I can be a part of that change, and I believe I am a voice that would like to be helping the city make that change happen.
We’ve got some things happening in the city. We have the Walmart coming, Taco Bell, I believe we need to work on the infrastructure and also the service industry. The second part of my platform is sustainable communities. The measure of a city’s health is how well it takes care of it’s young generation. All kids are our kids I believe there should be programs that focus on helping a child in adolescent development regardless of their background.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Carolyn Bruce
Linwood Epps
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Linwood Epps
Epps described himself as being unique in that he has: “…served as an entry level government employee, and served as a Department head. I have stood at the front lines everyday and the challenges they are faced with.”
He admonished candidates that had not been regularly attending council meetings, and when asked about the need for a new outdoor recreation center, he said, “Why don’t we have something better than what we have? I don’t understand. Our kids need better. I travel all over this state my granddaughter is in traveling softball, and it is just amazing the athletic complexes that we go to and then we come back home to this. I mean gosh, somebody has got to do something.”
He was the sole non-supporter of PDRTA; “They take our money, and there is no accountability” He suggested that people that benefit from the bus most should fit the bill, such as Dr. Wilson and Dr. Cohen.
Mobile users, click link to view video: Linwood Epps
Bryant Gardner
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Bryant Gardner
“I am running for City Council because I represent the future of Darlington. I am our youth and I am our next generation.
I am 32 years old, born and raised in this town. Except for my college years at Wofford and a short period working in Charleston, I have lived and worked here my entire life. I am running for city council because I love this community. I want to serve you and to continue to give back to the community that has done so much for me. Over the years, I have volunteered and worked with The Free Medical Clinic, The Lord Cares Food Bank, and the Black Creek Land Trust. I have a vested interest in this community growing. Unless our community grows, the place I love so much potentially fades into the shadow of the surrounding communities. Today we have an issue. Over the last 20 plus years, we have lost 20% of our population. As you may be aware, oftentimes, when the youth graduate, they move away. I want to reverse this trend. Our city is small and nimble enough that we can come up with a vision to transform our city’s future. My vision for our way forward is through “quality of life” improvements, whether it be on our square, our amphitheater or improving our other resources such as our parks and recreation. My goal is to bring our community together. Darlington should be a destination, not merely a place through which to drive. We are the Pearl of the Pee Dee and our community should reflect that pride.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Bryant Gardner
John Milling
Photo by Samantha Lyles
John M. Milling
Milling, an attorney and judge, told the audience that he had lived in Darlington for his 67 years.
“I look out at this crowd and I see that there are some people who have as much white hair as I do, but what I don’t see are the young people,” and went on to share, “I am interested in is what can we do to make Darlington an attractive place for young people who have left here to come back as well as other young people in the surrounding area. What can we do to entice individuals who are living in communities near us we have wonderful things a good solid market. You can buy a house in Darlington in a good neighborhood and you don’t spend near as much money as you do in Hartsville or in Florence. We’ve got schools over here that are as good as any in Florence, but we need to get out and publicize it. We are going to make Darlington successful, and we are going to do it because we need you to be franchised because you want Darlington to be strong.”
He feels that with the advent of Walmart and more businesses approaching, Darlington needs to sell itself to other businesses.
Mobile users, click link to view video: John Milling
Ouida K. Page: not in attendance; she called the News & Press prior to the event, and stated that her mother was ill.
Diane Sigmon
Photo by Diane Sigmon
Diane Sigmon
Sigmon is the Director of Technology for the Darlington County School District, and touted Darlington as “…a great town, and if you have seen any of my literature I have three words at the bottom; they are passion, commitment and vision. We need passion for our city, we need passion for our people…we also need commitment…to roll up our sleeves to do the hard work that it takes, not only physically when we have the work days, but to work together and create such wonderful fellowship but commitment to go out and see what other small cities like ours are doing to survive, what can we do to bring people to town.”
She shared that the city needs a visionary plan, as “we are at a critical place in Darlington.” and hopes the city will be a place to raise families.
Mobile users, click link to view video: Diane Sigmon
Joyce Wingate Thomas
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Joyce Wingate Thomas
Thomas, a former member of the Darlington County Board of Education, touts her many years as a public servant and her late husbands long career in law enforcement in Darlington for spurring her desire to seek office. “I know there is a comprehensive strategic plan that the city has,” she said. “ I would work as a team to continue working on this comprehensive plan.”
She also feels that the word needs to get out more about the city. “Darlington needs to market more,” said Thomas. “DDRA is doing a great job. As council we need to pitch in and help them more; Lisa and Howard are doing a great job.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Joyce Wingate Thomas
John Wallace
Photo by Samantha Lyles
John A. Wallace
Another Darlington native, Wallace said he returned home after a stint in he military where he lived in California, where he met his wife. He said that his three children are an impetus for him to improve the city. “I don’t think it’s about what we do, or what we’ve done, it’s about what we need to do. We need to make things happen,” said Wallace.
“We need to do something like any business- we need to clean up the town so when they come in there is something they want to do, they want to invest in create a way to get into our system …work with our Parks and Recreation we need more things for our children,” Wallace continued. “I am tired of seeing what other towns are doing, I want them to hear what we are doing. I want those towns to talk about the great things that we are doing. For all this we need to get the comprehensive plan, get it off the shelf, get the annexation plan into place – we need that revenue. Without revenue, we are just not going to move.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: John Wallace
Beatrice Wilson
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Beatrice Wilson
Wilson shared: “I would like to thank the people who have been instrumental in doing a lot of things that we now have in Darlington. But my idea in 2007 was to build a Walmart. I’m happy to see it.”
“The most important is to fix Darlington. Fix the streets. We are going through the ground; you have to fix the place up before you start thinking about real estate. People are actually under water…You need to talk about infrastructure. Why talk about making things better until you fix the ground. We are charging all these taxes, I want to know, where all the money is going? … There is something wrong when you don’t want to fix your street and these old pipes. We say time and time again about water…Now all of a sudden oh they found smoke in the pipe it was there from 20 years ago!” the audience applauded. “Darlington gets the money, make no mistake.”
On PDRTA: “They gave $15,000 for a one day event,” alluding to the funds given to the Freedom Fest Fourth of July event sponsored by the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce.
Mobile users, click link to view video: Beatrice Wilson
Candidates for Mayor of Darlington:
James “Jimmy” Cooper
Photo by Samantha Lyles
James “Jimmy” Cooper
Cooper said that his 20 years working at his family’s 100 year old business has afforded him the opportunity to meet people of all ages and races. “These issues and concerns I hear from them…the growth in Darlington, it’s a start to continue.”
Spurred by an unhappy small business owner that approached council, Cooper has been working on a project; ”I’ve been working with city leaders currently streamlining our business license process to make it easier for businesses to come in and do business.”
He also is looking for more industry to come in. “With more industry is more jobs, with more jobs we have more of a tax base in the city of Darlington.”
He approves of an annexation program. “South Carolina has one of the toughest annexation laws in the nation, right now 75% must agree. And 75% must own the property.”
Cooper went on to share we need to transition towards Darlington County Economic Development – “with more corporations, there will be more jobs.” and “Being able to talk to businesses in language that they understand.”
Regarding the aging infrastructure:
“We wouldn’t want to raise taxes to achieve that. We have to look at issues that we have we have.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Mayoral Candidate Introductions: Part One
Gloria C. Hines
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Gloria Cheeseboro Hines
The 14 year veteran of city Council touted many improvements in the city, and entertainment. “We need progress in Darlington, improved infrastructure, storm drains, …and a large park.” She noted that the Walmart and strip mall will bring in 255 jobs, “Applebee’s and an upscale hotel are to come,” said Hines. “in order to attract businesses, we need to improve our infrastructure, catch basins, curbs and gutters…and upgrade to our infrastructure to that will provide a better quality of life for all citizens of Darlington. I will work with Senator Malloy to get Darlington a park like Byerly Park in Hartsville for all age groups to go.”
She praised the city workers in the recent storm, “They were all really on point.”
When asked how she felt about the current role of city government (Council – Manager), Hines said, “it doesn’t make a difference, as long as everybody is fair, you can deal with that. It does not make a difference what form you have… I can deal with anybody, as long as you tell the truth and do the right thing for the citizens of Darlington, All of us are tax papers and when you are a tax payer you expect certain things and you’ve got to be able to talk with people and work with them…let them come in and talk with them.”
She agreed that an annexation plan is important, “There are many donut holes…some people don’t even realize if they are in or out of the city limits.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Darlington Mayoral Candidates: Cooper and Hines
William Jackson
Photo by Samantha Lyles
William M. Jackson
Jackson is a graduate of St. John’s High School, and is strong advocate for his hometown, Darlington. He shared that he has spent 15-16 years on boards and commissions in the city, and founded a non profit called New Darlington to fix blighted properties, and is on the board of Darlington County Rural Institute, as well as many others.
His vision “To help cultivate a community where people and businesses can be born and grow in harmony. There are a few things that stand in our way, to achieve this vision we have to address a declining population, aging infrastructure, very tight budget situation…I will pull from 24 years as a business leader to make sure the correct resources are used to reverse these trends.”
On the aging infrastructure:
“I don’t know if I would raise taxes,” said Jackson. “If we are able to increase our tax base… this allows people to come in, more developed areas and let the people coming though our area… will help pay for it.”
He shared that many of his plans are available on his website, www.darlingtonmayor.com
On the condemned J.C. Daniels Auditorium: “Why can’t Florence come to us? From what I understand the Charleston Symphony said the auditorium had better acoustics than theirs.” “We need to find grants, not necessarily use our tax dollars.” He suggested going to nearby entities to seek funding. “The money is out there, we have to find it.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Mayoral Candidate Introductions Part Two
Jim Stone
Photo by Samantha Lyles
Jim Stone
Stone shared, “I’m a hometown boy who was born and raised here. I was born on St. John’s Street at home, I was raised on Pearl Street, I married a good-looking girl off East Broad Street, and we live on Spring Street now…. The only time I didn’t live in the city limits of Darlington was when he was off to college and spent a stint in the US Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis.”
He feels that to support PDRTA, he would like to have more information about it.
To revitalize the downtown, he suggests, “I would find private investors to come in to revitalize it, put in specialty shops to attract people to the downtown. We are going to have to clean up our corridors and gateways to our city to make them look presentable and make people proud of Darlington and interested in Darlington, then people wlll come to Darlington.”
When asked about annexation, Stone said “I am definitely in favor. With working with the fire service, going out North Main is impossible to tell who is in and who is out.”
How does he feel about the current form of government? “I wouldn’t propose any changes, but I have a lot of experience,” and listed his years of serving on County Council, Pee Dee Regional Council of Government, and as a department head. “I have a lot of experience on both sides of government, on the administrative side and the operation side. I feel I have a lot of advantage to work with the city manager and city council and make our government for the city of Darlington a lot better.”
Mobile users, click link to view video: Darlington Mayoral Candidates: Jackson and Stone
Enjoy the photos: Mobile users, click to see gallery: Darlington Candidate Forum 2015