We can and certainly should do better in 2026
News & Press Editor Stephan Drew
By Stephan Drew, Editor
As 2026 dawns, many of us are pausing to take stock — not just of personal goals, but of the tone and direction of our public life. From Washington to our own local council chambers, politics often feels louder, sharper, and more divided than ever. Headlines across the country are filled with stalemates and standoffs, leaving people weary and wondering where cooperation went.
Here in Darlington County, that mood has also fallen close to home. For the past few years, our City Council meetings have drawn much attention and sparked strong feelings among residents and other municipalities across the state. Continual video episodes of chaos and disorder, shouting, interruptions, and awful comments made to councilmembers by other councilmembers have stalled progress and caused general frustration in our beautiful community.
Most recently, a divided council voted to place the City Manager on paid administrative leave after earlier actions to terminate her contract raised concerns about procedure and fairness. Questions about whether proper steps were followed fueled frustration and eroded trust for many watching from the audience and at home. Citizens have been treated to a constant display of name-calling, disrespect, and anger between members of the council and with audience members.
None of this has been easy to witness. When disagreements arise in a community where neighbors know one another, the hurt can feel particularly personal. Yet moments like these, uncomfortable as they are, occasionally offer something rare and valuable: a chance to pause, reflect, and choose a better way forward. Just before a new year seems the perfect time to contemplate reform.
Political division is hardly unique to Darlington or our country. Americans are frustrated by a style of politics that seems more focused on winning arguments than solving real problems. At the local level, the impact feels more immediate. Council procedures and decisions directly affect city services, employees, and the daily rhythm of community life for residents. When tempers flare, or processes appear unclear, people notice — and they care. That caring matters.
And residents in Darlington have not been silent. Voices have been raised about conduct, tone, and transparency, not because people want conflict, but because they want their city to be well-led and well-served. In that sense, local frustrations mirror national ones: a desire for leadership that listens, explains, and respects the people it represents.
Conflict, after all, is not always a sign of failure. Often, it signals that the stakes are high and that people are invested. The test lies in how that conflict is handled.
One encouraging sign is that, despite widespread cynicism about politics, interest in recent local elections and civic affairs has been stronger than expected across the Pee Dee region. People are paying attention. They are showing up, asking questions, and demanding better — not out of anger alone, but out of love and concern for their communities.
That engagement is the heartbeat of democracy. Our system was not based on everyone agreeing all the time. It was built on participation, honest debate, and the belief that progress comes from listening as much as speaking.
In Darlington, discussions about governance, leadership, and council procedures have garnered attention precisely because residents are concerned about the city’s future. That should be seen not as a problem, but as a promise.
As we move into 2026, there are lessons here for leaders and citizens alike.
First, clear procedures and transparency matter. When decisions are made openly and by the book, trust has a chance to grow — even among those who disagree with the outcome.
Second, respect MUST be non-negotiable. Words carry weight. Leaders set the tone, and a council that can disagree without demeaning one another sends a powerful message about the kind of community Darlington strives to be.
Third, it helps to remember shared goals. Most people involved in city government — and most residents watching closely — want safe neighborhoods, reliable services, and opportunities for growth and advancement. Keeping those common aims in focus can usually soften even the sharpest disagreements.
Finally, democracy works best when all citizens stay engaged. Voting matters, but so does attending meetings, researching ordinances and regulations, offering thoughtful input, and holding leaders accountable with true civility, care, and compassion.
The challenges facing our city and our nation are real, and the frustrations many feel are completely understandable. But hostile disagreement does not need to define us. Darlington’s recent council tensions can become more than a chapter of conflict; they can be a turning point — a reminder that dialogue is stronger than division when people choose respect and dignity.
As this new year unfolds, bringing numerous unknown events, may we commit to unity without demanding total uniformity, to honesty without hostility, and to leadership rooted in listening. Our community, like our country, is strongest when we meet one another not as opponents, but as neighbors working toward a shared future.
Here’s to a year grounded in patience, understanding, respect, and the quiet power of coming together.
We can do better than we have, and we should start now.
Happy New Year, everyone!