Williams-Blake, Powers earn Florence city council seats

FLORENCE — Newcomer Democrats Octavia Williams-Blake and Steve Powers will join Florence City Council this fall, according to preliminary elections results released Wednesday.

Williams-Blake had the highest tally, 8,541. Powers had 7,829.

Republican candidate Glynn Willis finished third, with 7,655 votes.

Republican incumbent Bobby Holland finished last with 6,433 votes.

The seats are currently held by Holland and Rick Woodard, whose terms expire this month.

Woodard lost to Holland and Willis in the city’s Republican primary, held in June.

Williams-Blake is a newcomer to political office. She has said Florence’s most important issue is ensuring the city has the leadership to cut crime and improve downtown. Leading up to the election, the 36-year-old candidate said the city’s government needs “broader representation,” including a younger demographic.

Powers has touted downtown redevelopment, which he said is an ongoing process that will take time to succeed. He has been involved in downtown Florence as vice chairman of the city’s Design Review Board and owns S/W Printing, on South Irby Street. He also has said the city needs a task force to combat the growing, serious problem of gangs.

Willis, who has a background in law enforcement, described public safety as the most important issue facing Florence. He is an advocate of community policing, through which officers interact with the community so that residents are more comfortable in dealing with and helping law enforcement.

Willis has served for more than a decade as a member and chairman of the Florence County and city planning commissions.

Holland, a Florence native, has served on council for 13 years after working as the city’s public works director. He has said downtown revitalization is the most important issue facing Florence. Holland also said he was seeking re-election to see several projects, including the city’s upgraded wastewater treatment plant, come to fruition.

All the candidates have told the Morning News they think it’s crucial for council to support the city’s police department with more resources, particularly to fight gangs.