Seven candidates vie for 3 Johnsonville council seats

JOHNSONVILLE - The city has an abundance of interest in the city’s municipal election this November.
Three Council seats are open and each incumbent is seeking reelection. Additionally, four other citizens have filed as candidates. These include incumbents Diane Marsh, Carl Skinner, and Dr. Dale A. Strickland. Other candidates include Edie Cain, Lisa Cox, Jack Smith and Tom Stasney.

Edie Cain
Edie Cain is a Johnsonville businesswoman, who by that very nature is concerned with the government of the city. She owns and operates C&S Carpets at 114 Seaboard Avenue. She said, “I am a ‘bottom line’ person who wants what is best for ‘all’ citizens of Johnsonville. I am not a ‘yes’ person and I will not go against what I believe to be right. I fear the Father (God) and with the crisis and turmoil nationwide, this is time to stand on the Word.”
Edie, 47, is a graduate of Butler High School in Butler, Pennsylvania and is married to Ron Cain, who supports her in her endeavors. She is the mother of three adult children and has four grandchildren. Edie exhibits great compassion for all people of Johnsonville.

Lisa Cox
Lisa Cox, 41, a Johnsonville native said during a recent interview, “I am running in an effort to bring about the change you want to see.
“I am pro-active and I’m careful about little things behind the scene. I have helped in many low profile situations to create the foundation that has been built. I work with a county program and see other towns struggling with the same ideas and needing to implement fresh ideas. I am ready to be a part of the program and move ahead.”
Lisa received a BA Degree in Human Services from Montreat College. She is presently working on her alcohol and substance abuse prevention certificate. She is employed with Circle Park Behavioral Health Services in Florence.

Diane Marsh
Incumbent Diane Marsh has served on the city council for the past 16 years, the last eight as mayor pro tem. She has worked and made decisions on the best interest of citizens and business owners. Diane relies on Administrator Scott Tanner and Chief of Police Ron Douglas to run their department effectively as they have and are capable of doing. She said all city employees are dedicated to the city and take pride in their work. “We have a great work force in place for moving the city forward,” she said.
She has worked on many community improvement projects during her tenure including water extensions, ongoing streetscape project, acquiring Venters’ Landing for the city and now making improvements there. She presently serves as Chairman of Finance and Tree Board Committees, Beautification and Recycling committees.
“With a new industry about to purchase Wellman, everything is going in the right direction for progress.
“If I am reelected, I promise to listen to the citizens’ concerns and base my decision on what is best for the community.”

Carl Skinner
Incumbent Carl Skinner is seeking reelection because, “I enjoy working with the people of Johnsonville,” he said. Carl should know the local people because of his many years of involvement with them. After retiring from the Air Force, he came home and served the city as its Chief of Police for 23 years, where he was well liked and respected by almost everyone. When the city was without an administrator a few years back, Carl gave of his time to serve in that position in order to keep things running well. He is also instrumental in the further development of the park at Venters’ Landing.
He is a native of the Poston Corner area, and he and his wife, Ginger, are both active in community affairs. He is completing his second term on the city council.

Jack Smith
Jack Smith is seeking a seat on city council, “because I want to be able to help the citizens of Johnsonville,” he said. He wants to help in the recruitment of new industries for the area as well as work with the new owners of the Wellman facility if that sale materializes. He said, “I really want to work with other members of the council to bring new jobs to this community.”
Smith retired from Verizon after 30 years of employment and has been a resident of Johnsonville for the past 19 years. He is also most interested in the local school district; especially that he has three grandchildren who are enrolled there.

Tom Stasney
Thomas Stasney (Tom, as it will appear on the ballot) is a man of few words, but those few are not idle words…they are meaningful and they count. Tom is a candidate for a seat on Johnsonville City Council. He feels that he can make a difference for good in the city and he is asking for your vote. A resident of Johnsonville for the past six years, Tom and his wife, the former Jackie Edgeworth, reside on Maple Street. Tom usually attends city council meetings. He was appointed by city officials to Florence County Zoning Appeals Board where he served as vice chairman until its disbandment earlier this year. He helped with the Waste Management petition and spoke in front of city council against the signing of the contract, in which the voters’ voices were heard and the contract was not signed.
Tom said, “I believe in playing on a level field and keeping voters informed, not doing as council wishes without informing the people. I can’t and won’t make promises that I can’t keep. The only thing I will say if that if I am elected I will keep the people of Johnsonville informed and listen to their comments and input.” Tom and his wife reside on Stone Avenue.
“PS, I am also your Santa in the Johnsonville Christmas Parade.”
Tom will be at Nettles IGA located on Broadway St from 5-7 PM (later if needed) on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, Nov. 1 and at Piggly Wiggly located on Highway 41/51 from 5-7 on Friday, Oct. 31. He will be there to talk with the voters about their concerns and answer questions where possible.

Dale Strickland
Incumbent Dr. Dale Strickland, who is completing his first term of four years on city council, is also superintendent of Florence County District Five schools, which causes him to be heavily involved in community activities, within and without the city. He is seeking reelection, “because I want to give back to the city and the community as a whole,” he said at his office Friday.
He said the city, the schools and the overall community have been good to him since he located here and he would like to see positive changes in these trying times and give something back to the community. He said the city has made some progress in the extension of water to the rural areas, which will mean additional revenue for the city.
Dr. Strickland is a hands-on man and likes to be involved in projects that are meaningful to the area. His most ardent concern is the children who are placed in his care. He feels that to do his best on behalf of the students he must also be concerned and involved with other issues. As a member of city council he has worked untiringly in the process of trying to lure New Horizons to the table to purchase Wellman, his main concern being how the loss of revenue would affect the students of our schools. Not only that, but he sees the possibly of satellite industries coming to the area as a result of the purchase and creation of many new jobs, the results of which will be felt throughout the community by all ages.
Dr. Strickland said, “I believes there are golden days ahead if city council and the community work together to make it happen. If I am reelected, I will do my best to uphold the values of the community and work for good towards my fellowman.”