Former Mayor appointed Interim City Manager
Former Darlington Mayor J. Ronald Ward has been selected as Interim City Manager. PHOTO BY HUNTER THOMAS/CITY OF DARLINGTON
On Tuesday night, March 3, the Darlington City Council named former longtime Mayor, J. Ronald Ward as the Interim City Manager.
Ward retired as Mayor in 2004 after 20 years of service to the City of Darlington. He was first elected Mayor at 36-years-old back in 1984, and throughout the decades, he led the City of Darlington to growth and prosperity. Major projects Ward spearheaded included constructing boardwalks in Williamson Park, renovating the historic Julius Dargan House on Pearl St. and implementing a streetscape project in the downtown area.
“I’m truly honored to come out of retirement to help the city I call home,” Ward said. “I love Darlington, and I’ll do my best to continue to move the city forward until a permanent City Manager can be found. Darlington is a great town with a lot of history and offers a great quality of life. Its people are its biggest asset.”
Ward takes over the Interim City Manager position after a brief third stint by longtime Clerk/Treasurer, Gloria Pridgen, who was hired by Ward in 1996.
“City Council would like to thank Mrs. Pridgen for stepping up to fill the Interim City Manager role for the third time,” said Mayor Curtis Boyd. “Her commitment to the City of Darlington is unmatched and greatly appreciated. City Council would also like to thank City employees, Cheryl Dubose and Lacie Weatherford, for stepping up during this time as well.
“The City is looking forward to Mr. Ward’s leadership. He served the City for decades and was very successful during his tenure. The City has many projects on the to-do list, and we’re excited to get to work.”
Ward will officially take office on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The City currently has several efforts in progress, including a streetscape project and a variety of economic development projects.
For more information on the City of Darlington, please visit cityofdarlington.com or call 843-398-4000.