Mobley seeks to unite Dillon County as interim administrator

By: Patricia Burkett | SCNow
Published: August 26, 2009

DILLON — David Mobley said he plans to help unite the community while serving as Dillon County’s interim administrator.

Mobley took over the office Monday after Dillon County Council voted last week to approve an initial three-month contract with him for the position.

Mobley replaces clerk to council Lisa Gray, who had been performing the duties associated with the Dillon County Administrator position since Aug. 4. following the firing of Dillon attorney Charles Curry.

Mobley has years of experience working in similar posts across the state.

He left Dillon County more than 20 years ago after serving as a deputy with the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office.

Since that time, Mobley worked as an administrator in Pageland, Chester and Loris.

He also served as a solid waste manager for Cherokee County and worked as a public works director for Isle of Palms.

Mobley said after being away from Dillon for such a long time, he welcomed the opportunity to return.

He also said he’s aware of the contention that existed between Curry and Dillon County Council.

Curry was officially dismissed from the position July 27 after council voted to affirm their June decision to terminate him.

Gray occupied the interim position after former Dillon County Administrator Clay Young left in October to pursue a job in Kershaw County.

Mobley said one of his main objectives is to try to bring the community back together.

“One thing that I think we can do, that I can do, is to bridge those gaps, bring everybody back to the table,” he said, “not that we’re not proud of Dillon County, but I think that we can be prouder having put this behind us, and going forward, moving forward.”

Mobley said he’ll focus on the things that matter most to people of Dillon County and will try to move past political wrangling.

He said he also will concentrate his efforts on the formation of a public-private partnership he hopes will draw industry and economic development into the county, which already has Interstate 95 running through it and is expected to have a portion of the proposed Interstate 73, as well.

“... to bring that in to the rest of the county here, bring more progress, bring more people, bring more jobs and industry ... I think that’s what people are looking for,” Mobley said.

Mobley said he feels he’s qualified to lead the county in new direction, and hopes to become the county’s administrator on a permanent basis.

While working in other positions during the past 20 years, he also managed to earn associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from Limestone College, plus a master’s degree from Webster University.

He also said he’ll take some of the lessons left behind from Curry and others, and apply them to making a better Dillon County for the future.

“I hope by promoting openness in government and bringing all parties together ... we can build some bridges toward the future, and progress the county,” Mobley said.